Dear
[ supporter ]
The
Minister says "
no consensus yet on the best way to protect
recreational rights in the future"
Last
month in Update # 11 we wrote -
"Despite the fact that option4 delivered over 61,000 submissions
(which accounted for a staggering 98.5% of all submissions received
in response to the consultation process), despite the fact that
the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council and New Zealand Recreational
Fishing Council both fully support the four principles of option4,
it appears the Minister considers there is not sufficient consensus
within the recreational sector for him to move forward with what
he calls "Recreational Fishing Reforms". option4 simply
cannot believe that such a clear and concise outcome can be construed
as a lack of consensus.
Today (1/12/01) we read the following statement in the Minister's
press release -
"The Soundings consultation process showed that New Zealanders
are passionate about recreational fishing but there is no consensus
yet on the best way to protect recreational rights in the future"
says the Minister.
What then, we
must ask, is this consensus we keep hearing about? option4 are quite
clear - the public of New Zealand has achieved an unprecedented
degree of consensus. Where does the Ministers statement "there
is no consensus yet" leave us to go? What do he and his Ministry
expect the public to do now?
option4 is clear
where we need to go. We need to continue to stand up collectively
for our, and our children's, heritage to make sure that those who
would attack our rights to fish for food know that they have a fight
on their hands.
There are several
imminent decisions this Minister has to make, not the least of which
is what to do with the estimates of public snapper catch (Apparently
the public take of snapper is more than double the amount they have
currently allowed for us). As the 1996 Fisheries Act clearly states,
the Minister "shall allow for" recreational take.
option4 believes this means the Minister should allow for the full
amount of recreational and sustenance take. If he chooses not to,
he is likely to find out once more just how much consensus there
is in the recreational sector.
There is clear
evidence that the agenda being pursued by Ministry is for the public
sustenance fisher to accept a proportional share. We all know what
that means - a privatised public fishery equals a collective right
instead of our current individual right. Make no mistake, it will
be a weaker right if the bureaucrats get their way. This collective
right will be doomed to continual erosion. We will find ourselves
becoming minor shareholders in a set of industrial fisheries that
are obviously more focused on export dollars than recreational fishing
opportunities.
option4 draws
much of its strength and support from its ongoing focus on the absolute
need to clearly define the priority right of the public over the
fishing industry to harvest seafood from the marine environment.
Thanks for
your responses and support so far.
option4 Update # 11 generated a great response from the public.
The email version of Update # 11 saw over 20% of the recipients
responding. 94.5% responded YES to both Questions 1 &
2.
- "Should
option4 mount a legal challenge based on human rights issues?"
- "Should
option4 employ a fisheries scientist to act in a watchdog role
until the rights issue is resolved?"
A big thank
you to all those of you who have offered to assist when and where
necessary and to those who have made donations or pledges.
If you support
what option4 is striving to protect on your behalf, remember, we
cannot win without the support of the public who fish for food and
recreation. We are very fortunate to have organizations like Chester's
Plumbing Supplies who have already pledged a minimum of $3,500 to
the Fighting Fund. Please give generously to the fighting fund.
Post your contribution NOW to PO Box 37951, Parnell.
"What's
New" postings to the site since the last Update
The Cabinet
Paper and the Minute of the FIN Committee decisions is being data
entered as we speak and will be on the site within the next day
or two.
Reed Publishing
support for option4.
Thankyou to all of you who have taken advantage of the Reed special
offer on the "Blue Planet" offer. The response has been
so good that Reed have seen fit to add another great new book to
their offer. Mark Kitteridge's latest masterpiece "Hook Up
On Kingfish" is there for you at a never to be repeated option4
special price of $29.95 (RRP - $34.95). Be in for Christmas - be
in for the future of your fisheries. https://www.reeddirect.co.nz/option4blueplanet
PS - What an excellent read.
The option4 team wish you the best for Christmas and summer.
[
footing ]
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