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Dear
[ supporter ]
Progress
towards securing a strong public right to fish for food.
The Reference Group, made up of representatives from NZRFC, NZBGFC
and option4 have now met with officials from the Ministry of Fisheries
6 times. Last month saw a three day workshop focused entirely on
giving effect to the Principles that the recreational fishing sector
have achieved consensus on – read the Letter of Consensus
December 2002 here - https://option4.co.nz/consensus.htm
A highlight of the work
done by the Reference Group has been the degree of unity and common
goals being demonstrated by all involved. Strong criteria are being
developed to assist the Minister in his allocation decisions. The
“area right” discussion has emphasised the inadequacies
of the current disputes resolution processes in the Fisheries Act
(s311) and the “planning right” discussions at last
see the Ministry understanding what is required to empower the public
to contribute to sustainable management of our fisheries. Certainly,
the need for specific tools for managing vulnerable intertidal fisheries
is acknowledged. As for the public being able to conserve fish whilst
not having those same fish allocated to the fishing industry, this
will take considerable time and effort to achieve.
NZRFC
AGM.
The delegates at the NZRFC AGM held in Blenheim in July, elected
Bill Cronin from New Zealand Angling and Casting Association and
Scott Macindoe from option4 onto the NZRFC executive board. Long
serving executive member Warren Lewis was also re-elected. Kevin
Moratti (from Taranaki) stepped down after several years of solid
contribution whilst hard working and very diligent board member
Sheryl Hart (from Raglan) confirmed her ongoing commitment to the
Council even though not re-elected this year.
The AGM was, as usual a good opportunity to come up to date on the
many issues facing the public in our fisheries. Next month, a more
comprehensive report. The Minister of Fisheries, Pete Hodgson attended
the AGM – his speech can be read online at www.option4.co.nz/rfcphspeech.htm
Great
Barrier Island marine reserve - “Drop In” meetings
The Department of Conservation held two “drop in” meetings
during July. The first was at DoC’s office at North Head,
the other at Tamaki Drive. Only 12 members of the public turned
up at North Head – an accurate reflection of the totally inadequate
effort made by DoC to notify the public of the meeting. The Tamaki
Drive meeting saw 35 people “drop in”, most as a result
of learning of the event through a last minute option4 “Notice
of Meeting”. This form of meeting is unsatisfactory –
in fact quite dysfunctional. It is not as if they (DoC) were not
asked to do it properly – please read the address option4
made to the Auckland Conservation Board and DoC on 26/6/03 –
ignored as usual. https://option4.co.nz/acb23603.htm
Many who attended the meetings strongly objected to DoC’s
tactics to move this proposal forward without consulting widely
enough. Full meeting reports can be found at https://option4.co.nz/gbibackgrd.htm.
Now that the submission period has concluded we await the results
of the analysis of submissions. We will keep you informed on developments.
Auckland
Conservation Board
The next meeting of the ACB is on Thursday 28th August. The public
are welcome to attend the meeting at the Auckland Conservancy office
on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Liverpool Street in the city.
Tawharanui
marine reserve proposal
A proposal has been put forward by the Auckland Regional Council
to change the status of Tawharanui Marine Park to a marine reserve.
Last date for submissions is Friday 22nd August 2003. Call Alan
Moore at ARC on 09 3794420 for a copy of the proposal and a submission
form or go online to read the full document, option4 response and
download a submission form https://www.option4.co.nz/tawhbackgrd.htm.
A BIG
thank you
To all those people who have sent in money, cheques, provided goods
and their valuable time, thank you. Without you we would not be
able to continue to work to secure your right to fish for food.
Your contribution is so valuable, not only to us but it also has
obvious impacts on our future generations ability to continue to
fish for a reasonable daily bag limit. Due to increasing demand
option4 now has a secure online donation facility. Some people have
already used this service and have started to make a positive contribution
to the option4 effort. Thank you. This is available at https://www.safeshop.co.nz/option4/donations.htm
Keep up the good effort.
What’s
New
Auckland Conservation
Board - a comprehensive package including minutes, submission and
option4 input to their meetings at
https://www.option4.co.nz/acb.htm
Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister
of Fisheries address to the annual conference of the NZ Recreational
Fishing Council
https://www.option4.co.nz/rfcphspeech.htm
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