Because –
there are very long and complicated deliberations about everything, except recreational
fishing. The only significant description of recreational fishings interest
appears to be on Page 63, as follows –
Fishing
is a popular recreational activity in the Hauraki
Gulf
Marine Park, with around 220,000 active fishers
in the
Park. Numbers are likely to continue increasing
with
projected population growth. Recreational fishers
gain a
range of values from fishing, in addition to the
provision
of food. They value being able to catch a
wide
range of fish and sizes in accessible localities
and
therefore benefit from high stock levels and suffer
disproportionately
from localised depletion. The ability to
pass on
fishing knowledge to the next generation is also
critical
in this age of digital escape. As well as providing
many
social benefits, recreational fishing supports a
large
industry consisting of firms who support fishers
including
boat builders, service providers, tackle and bait
suppliers,
charter operators and attendant hospitality and
accommodation
providers. Recreational fishing in the
Hauraki
Gulf Marine Park supports a growing high value
international
and domestic tourism economy.
Artisanal
fishermen and women live in many of the Park’s
communities.
Smale-scale local businesses, often leasing
catch
entitlement off the large fishing companies, they
provide
much needed jobs, and rely on abundant fish
stocks
for a living. They too want the opportunity to pass
on their knowledge (and
their boats) to their children
The above
description of recreational fishing, is approximately 200 words – ie about half
a page. The rest of the Plan consists of hundreds of thousands of words
describing other aspects. 200 words can not possibly begin to cover the
importance of recreational fishing; particularly considering the huge number of
people, estimated at 220,000 in Auckland, who want to take part in recreational
fishing.
This shows
what appears to be two options. …” a decision was not reached on a single size,
location or shape for these areas” and ……..”members arrived at two options for
each of these areas”.
Also – there is reference to two types of MPAs, Type 1 and Type 2, The cream area is Type 1 MPA (No-take Marine reserve, other than for customary
purposes), the green area is Type 2 MPA (.restrict fishing methods that impact
benthic (seabed) habitat - including scallop dredging.
The first
option, is for MPA Type 1 encompassing
the whole of the waters around Tiri island – the second , is for a far smaller
area. The first large option covers approximately 30 square kilometres, ie
3,000ha., including all the coast of Tiritiri Matangi and nearby waters,
including about half the Tiri channel, and as far as Shearers Rock. By
comparison, the biggest Marine Reserve at present is Long Bay at 962ha, ie the
proposed option is 3 times as big.
This possibility is grossly excessive. It so far away from what could be
regarded as reasonable, that it must be a devious ploy to try and get the other
smaller option. There is no place for this kind of deviousness.
Tiritiri Island is close to Hibiscus Coast, home to approx 50,000 residents. The
interest in recreational fishing is huge. The waters around Tiri are extremely
important for recreational fishing. Snapper like hanging around structure. Tiri
waters have the biggest area of structure near the Whanagaparaoa peninsula.
Removing all recreational fishing from such a huge and important area would be
a huge blow to the recreational fishers in the area. There would be great
outcry.
Second Option:
MPA type 1
This is far smaller, covering about 100ha, ie about 3% the size of option
one. Off the south-west and south coasts
of Tiri. Obviously what the proposers
think might be goer.
It is not a
goer. It is an unacceptable removal of rights from recreational fishers. This would remove a valuable section of coast
from recreational fishing. In an area that has little structure, any reduction
is significant. It will be vigorously resisted.
The green area
MPA Type 2, covers a large area around the end of Whangaparaoa, including all
of Triri channel and seaward of Tiri to the existing cable zone. I understand
that it proposes to disallow dredging for scallops. If so, I am in favour, as I
believe that this method of gathering scallops is far to damaging on the
seabed, and should be banned.
The light blue area is called Ahumoana Management Area. It covers all the coastline, out to 1km. What it actually means in practice is totally unclear, so I cant comment. If it allows restrictions to be introduced by local maori, then I believe it is unacceptable; as one part of society should not have greater rights than any other part
this also affects my fishing, and I can see it would adversely affect many others living in that area. Two options are proposed. First is for an enormous area approx 3,000ha, that would ruin recreational fishing in the area south and inshore from Kawau. Even worse, residents of Snells Beach and Martins Bay would lose all the fishing near the coast and have to travel out into exposed waters to fish. It is unbelievable. It is apparent, that the proponents have simply drawn an area on their map, without giving the slightest thought to how it would adversely affect recreational fishing.
Second option – is for a far smaller area. Again, this will be unacceptable, as any reduction in fishing area will simply exacerbate the continuing erosion of recreational fishing rights. Small changes need to be fought - as that's the way the anti-fishing brigade try and make big ones eventually.
Capt Asparagus wrote: I dont really care about all the other stuff, MPAs etc....what I think the most important thing is, if adopted, that by 2025 there will be no commercial netting over reefs or seafloor damaging types of fishing activitues, trawling, gill netting danish seining etc, from bream head to the mokes,to outside gt Barrier, to Cuvier, red merc, aldies down to between waihi and whangamata. AND...12 miles out from there, ie; territorial limits. With comms apart from long liners banned from all these areas, inc the HG, things can only get better. It may not be the purists Rec Fishing agenda put in place, but in a sane world that is never gunna happen. Are there reserves. Yes. Are there the statutory kowtowing to maori, yes, is it anti commercial, no, longliners and aquaculture are being promoted, . Of any chances to make positive changes to our marine environment, this is, I think, the best you could likely ever get. Now, to make funding secure for rec fishing lobbying etc...., licences. Gotta do it. |
cirrus wrote: Another group of small confederations trying to carve up the gulf to fit with their own future agendas. For a long time there has been a subtle move to make recreational feel guilty that they even fish. Looking at the maps there go all my fishing spots. When will they ever confront the real issues facing the gulf. They know what they are but avoid dealing with them. No marine reserve will ever contain the very mobile fish we fish for. The snapper ,Kahawai ,kingfish ,trevelly ,J.D etc are mobile and travel with the seasons. No reserve net work will ever contain them. These suggested exclusion zones constitute a lockout of recreational. Nothing less. So how long before you are out there scrounging your next meal. (will be their words),and someone comes along and says "You are in the wrong place my friend,you better leave." How about looking at the well known migration routes into the gulf. Out the back of Kawau,Colville channel and all the way to Tiri. Ever year fish and snapper in particular are hammered in these areas as they seek to enter the gulf spawning grounds in tight schools . Trawl nets , danish seine ,and tens of thousands of longline hooks take their toll on schools of mature fish. No wonder the fishery has changed. How about making these areas exclusion zones between October and december. But they would not do that would they. Too close to a solution,would effect the wrong people. And what about the quoted 1 million plus fish ,mainly small snapper in sn1,crushed in trawl nets and tossed back to rot. They dont seem to want to look at that either. Ironic when they release 40 000 small snapper into Tasman bay,yet in the H.G management gives little or no regard to waste. The exclusion zones are where individuals and families seek rest and meaningful time out. Places where a five year old will catch their first fish,among the rolling dolphins,diving birds ,or some quiet bay. The best natural history class room on earth.They take the catch home,share in a family caught meal. So important in a increasingly fragmented society. That will all be gone. Dont let them make you feel guilty for catching a few fish.It is your right. Just a couple of years back the infamous snapper cuts were upon us. People got into their cars and drove across their cities and towns to attend the nearest meetings. Others got into their utes and drove down the country roads to attend theirs. They believed they had something to offer. They believed in democracy, fairness ,and a shared fishery. After all they had been told about our shared fishery so many times before. The MPI reps were welcoming ,pleasant and shared what they knew. Not long after the meetings the decision came out. We took a cut in both our allowable take and another cut in increased size limit. Commercial had no cuts. Their faith in the shared fishery was gone, their faith in democracy a little bit less. The great grinding wheel of commerce ,and the parasitic elite had ground them down just that bit more. The towering but but fragile wall got a little bit higher. They went away. They said nothing ,did not act . But they remember. And now we see yet another attempt to blame us for the ills of the fishery. Dont believe it is your fault ,it is not. Consider how little recreational get out there during the snapper spawn.With the prevailing westerly winds october through to Jan,very few recreational get out there. Not enough to make any difference. And when we do in the few weather windows we pluck the odd fish out on our rod and line.We dont take the whole school. Be very aware of what is going on. Another attempt to grind you down. Dont let them walk over you. Not this time. |
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