The Marine Reserves Bill 2002 announced by the Minister of Conservation is a challenge for legislators , and for the seafood industry, amateur and customary fishing interests, says the NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council.

Council Executive Officer and spokesman, Daryl Sykes, said today that attaining the correct balance in protecting marine biodiversity whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources and the integrity of existing rights to go fishing will be at the core of rock lobster industry submissions to the Select Committee.

“The Bill has been slipped into Parliament against an unfortunate background of rhetoric and hype that identified fishing as the greatest threat to marine biodiversity,” said Mr. Sykes. 

“We will be encouraging a more thoughtful and credible evaluation of possible risks and threats, and seeking the appropriate level of recognition for responsible fishing.”

Mr. Sykes said that the rock lobster industry submissions intended to test the principles and purposes of the new Bill in the context of the existing legislative and regulatory frameworks governing all activities in the marine environment. 

“The successful outcome of the Select Committee process will be new legislation which contributes to the marine environmental protection targets of the Government’s Biodiversity Strategy whilst consolidating existing commercial and non-commercial rights to fisheries and fishing” said Mr. Sykes.

“Continued access to fishing grounds to go fishing is a fundamental issue for all New Zealanders, not just for the seafood industry”.

ENDS

Background Information

The NZ RLIC provides administrative, technical support, and advocacy to the NZ rock lobster industry. Rock lobster exports in 2001 exceeded $113 million, and the industry is an economic mainstay of regional coastal communities around mainland NZ and on the Chatham Islands.

Rock lobster fisheries are the most economically and culturally valuable of NZ’s inshore fisheries, and have been successfully managed with the Quota Management System since 1990.

The shared nature of rock lobster fisheries has enabled a cooperative user group approach in which amateur, customary and commercial users have direct input  to the research and management processes and decisions through the National Rock Lobster Management Group.

CONTACT:

Daryl Sykes 

NZ RLIC Executive Officer/Research Programme Manager

021 415 032

04 802 1509

[email protected]

SeaFIC press release - Marine Reserves

10 June 2002

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

By New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

Marine Reserves

The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC) has serious

reservations about the content of the Marine Reserves Bill.

"The industry acknowledges that marine reserves can have a role to play

in marine ecosystem management, but they should not be seen as the only

tool available," said New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Chairman Dave

Sharp.

"As major users of New Zealand's marine environment, our industry

depends on the ongoing maintenance of this environment for its

livelihood.

"The protection of biodiversity and the protection of unique or at-risk

ecosystems are just two aspects in the overall management of this

resource.

"We believe marine reserves can have a place in the suite of tools we

use to responsibly manage our coastal and marine environment. However,

they are simply one of many tools we currently use to do this.

"I think any environmental management decision should have a strategic,

long-term view. This must take into account the full range of management

options available, as well as opportunities for commercial, recreational

or customary sustainable use."

"The Marine Reserves Bill, as announced, will attract widespread

attention and concern from the seafood industry. While I cannot speak

for recreational or customary users, I would expect many of them to have

similar concerns."

ENDS

For further information contact:

Nici Gibbs

General Manager, Policy, New Zealand Seafood Industry Council

Ph 04 385 4005 or 025 921 273