Saving our fish, what do I think?

First step is to enforce the twice-promulgated reductions in the snapper quota that commercial interests have challenged successfully in the courts over the last few years. This would take some pressure off the species most targeted by Northland fishos.

I suspect the government' s wishy-washy approach to fighting for this reduction in quota is because it would devalue treaty settlements involving fish. And that' s opening a big can of worms.

Then I believe we could all give defined inshore snapper fisheries a miss during the month of November. This would hurt me as much as anyone. Like most local fishos, I eagerly await the spring spawning run for some long anticipated snapper fun.

Second step would be to ensure the Ministry Of Fish makes conservative decisions. If in doubt, say no to further fishing. The burden of proof needs to be switched. At present, if evidence to the contrary isn' t available, MoF appears legally bound to allow fishing to continue.

A lack of knowledge is a serious problem. The money to develop a systematic scientific programme will have to be found if this knowledge is to be acquired.

And we must be able to better police fisheries regulations. Laws are relatively easy to pass. Effective enforcement is a major challenge. And funding is like pouring water into a hole in the ocean.

The concept of using the general taxpayer' s money is fine to a point. We all have a vital interest in healthy oceans and harbours. But ultimately, the concept of 'User Pays' is difficult to fault.

How to raise these funds equitably and fairly is not easy. To effectively target the correct users, a tax on fishing and diving gear could be a good start. An extra 5% on top of GST might be the cheapest. In that way, a new tax system needn' t be created.

The Mullet fishery in the Bay collapsed this year and winter snapper fishing has been the worst in living memory. Kingfish in and around The Bay are as scarce as hen' s teeth.

We need to find a way to better protect and manage sheltered inland harbours and estuaries from over fishing. Local management committees could be set up to make local management decisions. Recreational, charter, amateur, scientific, environmental, iwi and commercial interests could be represented.

A few more marine reserves wouldn' t go astray either. Locally, the Cavalli Islands and the Hokianga Harbour might be a good place to start. Could be restricted to recreational fishing and diving only. 

According to experienced commercial fishermen I' ve spoken to, the best way to protect kingfish is to protect identified off shore reefs against gill-netters. A recreational limit of one per boat until they recover might also be helpful. No kingfish as a commercial by-catch too.

Finally, All fishos could help with the research. MoF could design a useful fishing trip report. Non-commercial fishos who cooperate by supplying regular comprehensive fishing trip reports could earn increased limits as a reward.

Tight Lines!
Steven Radich