Line in the sand

 Soon you will be given the chance to have your say on a most important issue.  I can hear the thought process now, especially in an election year.  “Oh no, another politically motivated ploy”.  Yes and no – please read on, particularly if you are a keen fisherperson who enjoys a sense of fair play.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) will be asking for submissions from interested parties pertaining to their proposal for a marine reserve at the Volkner Rocks near White Island.  The process, which has been ongoing for sometime, has finally come to its maturation point.

Since I’ve spent about 150 days each year since 1978 fishing at or near the fabled Rocks, I consider them home.  I’d now like to give you a detailed, if not somewhat convoluted, history of the region if you’ll bear with me.

Soon after moving to Whakatane I found myself beginning a long association with the Volkners.  Since I was engaged in both commercial and recreational fishing in those early years (later becoming solely recreational) the Volkner Rocks soon showed their rich abundance of sea life.  Deep-water fishing was (and still is) good for species such as true hapuka, bass, bluenose and gemfish.  In closer the main aim was, and continues to be to this day, the yellowtail kingfish.

In 1985 a new method (for NZ) arrived on the scene, deep water gillnetting.  This incredibly effective yet non selective bulk method led me to write a 12 page submission to the Department of Lands and Survey which subsequently became “DOC”.  I was politely acknowledged and told this concern was real but little or nothing could be done in the near future, in other words, back burner stuff.  How true!  As this method of fishing escalated in the late 80’s with sometimes thousands of metres of deadly gillnet in the water surrounding the Volkner Rocks and nearby White Island each night, it was more than obvious something had to be done sooner than later.  A number of concerned recreational fishermen approached local MP Tony Ryall and gained a receptive audience from him.  It took time but eventually Tony drafted a private members bill aimed at establishing a marine park around the afflicted area.  After three visits to Wellington and two appearances before select committee hearings, it looked like we might get the required protection.  It was very apparent the area could sustain a reasonable level of recreational fishing but not the increasing levels of unselective bulk methods we were witnessing on a daily basis.

Unfortunately “industry” lawyers were paid well to deflect the proposal but from these ashes came a “voluntary code of practice”.  This code excluded the use of bulk methods in specifically sensitive areas around the Volkners.  With one or two exceptions this worked well and certain species of reef fish were allowed to make a comeback.

As more recreational fishers were going further afield and the Whakatane charterboat fleet grew, the situation called for yet another voluntary code to be drawn up.  In 1995 the first code was ratified and signed by all the then existing Whakatane based charterboats.  This dealt specifically with yellowtail kingfish within a three-mile radius of the Volkner Rocks and White Island.  This code called for a number of protective measures, which was far more restrictive than the legal limits of the day.  While it only pertained to local charterboats and their anglers, it was soon adopted by most all private boaties and the Tauranga Charterboat Association.  It was later (1998) refined and picked up many more signatories.  The best news of all was this proactive measure worked; the stocks of yellowtail appear to be every bit as healthy now as they were then. This was well in evidence by the exceptional season just gone.

In 1998 a public meeting was called for all those concerned with putting White Island into marine reserve status.  Most all local sportfishers appeared to be in favour at the time, especially with such a seemingly great reserve established at nearby Mayor Island.  There a one-mile ring around the island is proclaimed a marine park, exclusively the domain of recreational users.  Within this area a smaller nil extraction zone has been established.  It seemed everyone (except for perhaps any would be unscrupulous commercial fishers) was a winner with excellent compliance by all users.  Now here is where things get interesting and the plot thickens.

The committee for establishing a reserve around White Island/Volkner Rocks comprised of two ecotourism operators, two divers, two Maori representatives, one Forest and Bird rep, one commercial fisherman, one member of DOC and a charterboat operator.  Considering the usage of the area then and now, a very disproportionate representation level indeed.  Sadly, a couple of the reps had never even been there!  Eventually the charterboat operator dropped out and, much later, the Whakatane Sportfishing Club (representing over 3000 members) represented.  Never was any representation solicited from the NZ Recreational Fishing Council, the NZ Big Game Fishing Council nor any other recreationally motivated group. In the interim here is a pathetic documented list of occurrences: A) The chairman of the steering committee was very vocal through the media (local newspapers and radio) in his encouragement of a marine reserve.  Certainly his personal views are his to put forward but not as the chairman – a breach of the conciliatory obligation of his position. B) After the initial White Island proposal for a MR failed, all emphasis went towards the Volkner Rocks where the first usage of statistics by DOC to promote their cause occurred.  Since when does 26% approval constitute a majority? C) Subliminal levels of questioning in a pamphlet which predisposed the answers. D) Enlarging the reserve area from 400 metres to half a nautical mile and subsequently to a full mile E) Alteration of minutes to not reflect what truly happened in committee meetings. F) Very little research to prove this huge area is either suitable for or needs a MR in place. G) We’re told the successful plan of the Mayor Island reserve cannot be duplicated due to legislation. H) An area earmarked for the recreational take of kingfish within the reserve inexplicably deleted. I) Shredding submissions (who knows how many but you can bet what they indicated!) after approval levels sunk from 90% to less than 70% in less than a weeks time.

I could go on but I think you’re getting the picture by now – we’re not playing on a level playing field in any aspect of this proposal.

Over the last couple years I’ve researched both DOC and Forest and Bird only to find them virtually indistinguishable.  While DOC has done many fine things in this country since their establishment, they definitely like to achieve things their own way and will stop at nothing to do so, all the while appearing to be democratic in their process.  Consider this.  Recently two reserves were proposed in the South Island, one at Stewart Island and the other Akaroa.  In each instance locals were largely in favour of the reserves but objected to various aspects.  As the deadline for submissions approached and the proposals were failing, two amazing things happened.  Without consulting anyone, DOC extended the submission period and a huge number of favorable submissions from people living well outside the region arrived to save the day and approve the reserve!  Here enters F & B.  Their close association with DOC at all levels allow the legislative and compliance branch (DOC) to be fully supported by the active agency (F & B).  We thus observe, at least upon outside appearance, democracy in action.  Lets look a little more carefully at this very powerful organization, Forest and Bird.

They have many thousands of members right throughout the country.  They are a well-organized and wealthy group who promote conservation measures well beyond their original scope.  They wisely use some very powerful and emotive methods to achieve their goals.  Things like utilizing school children and even the recent death of one of our most celebrated statesman, Sir Peter Blake, in their advertising.  With a single phone call many hundreds of submissions can be on their way to any needy cause; and all these from people who live hundreds of kilometers away and have no intention of ever visiting the proposed site.  At their most recent AGM, F & B approved two interesting articles of memorandum.  One was supporting a goal of 20% of all our New Zealand coastline being put into Marine Reserve status – 20%!  The other to actively oppose all fishing contests, particularly those that promote junior angling.  Eliminate the enemy at an early age and you’ve won the battle of the future!  This is what we recreational fishers, a disjointed and fragmented lot, are facing from here on in.

So, where do we go from here? Unfortunately it requires some action on your part.  All of us are inherently lazy and will opt out of many activities if allowed.  You can console your inaction by saying “what can I do, just one person?!”  Well, in this instance, plenty!  You see DOC plays the politically correct “numbers game”.  Not only do they use statistics to inaccurately promote their cause but a submission is a “vote”, all to be counted (if they aren’t shredded) at the end of the period.  If a secretary of a club representing many thousands of people sends a submission that’s one “vote”.  So if each and every one of you will merely write a short letter of several sentences to voice your concerns individually it can have a definite impact on this “numbers game”, maybe negating the huge influx that is sure to come from F & B members.

Now you may ask what has the Volkner Rocks has got to do with me – again plenty!  While many of you will have had special moments there, it has direct repercussions on all anglers where ever you fish.  This reserve will act as a model for future reserve proposals which will appear right around the country and soon.  With DOC’s self proclaimed goal of 10% of our coastline into MR’s by 2010, plenty has to happen and soon!  So this proposal, even though it may have no particular immediate and obvious relevance to you, is truly a line in the sand.  Let it pass and you’ll have only yourself to blame when a MR arrives at your patch in the future.

Now how about a few ironies to finish off?  First I can hardly believe that, after all these years of wanting some protection for this very special area, I can go from major proponent to number one dissenter!  Next is that if by some means we are able to defeat this MR proposal, we effectively throw the baby out with the bath water.  There is still a need for a reserve (or reserves) at places like the Volkner Rocks and White Island, just not on the grandiose scale DOC is purporting to desperately achieve their 10% goal in time.

So a no “vote” to this proposal is not a no “vote” to marine reserves in general or even this reserve in principle.  Lets get more research and create reserves which are more appropriate in size and context, not excluding all but passive users from extrodinarily large tracts of ocean.  Think about it and remember, once in place, marine reserves are forever!

Please direct submissions to:

Department of Conservation

Bay of Plenty Conservancy

P O Box 1146

ROTORUA

I, the undersigned, basically agree with the formation of marine reserves.  I do, however, disagree with the nature and size of the proposal Volkner Rocks Marine Reserve.  There has not been adequate research to suggest a reserve of this enormity is either suitable or required for this area.

I hereby object to the placement of the current proposal of a Marine Reserve at the Volkner Rocks.

Yours faithfully

Signature ____________________

Printed Name _________________

Address _____________________