Select Committee must get it right

“SELECT COMMITTEE MUST GET IT RIGHT”

The President of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council, Ross Gildon,  said today that the Select Committee hearing the new Marine Reserves Bill must get it right and make sure that the rights to go fishing enjoyed by all New Zealanders are not compromised.

“Without seeing the detail of the new Bill we can only be guided by what we know are the decisions made by Cabinet and public statements by the Minister of Conservation ” said Mr. Gildon.

“Like our counterparts in the fishing industry we do not agree that fishing is the major threat to marine biodiversity as claimed by the Minister.  The Council is determined to ensure that the recreational rights to go fishing are not eroded by the marine reserves legislation before they are properly defined in the Fisheries Act.”

Mr. Gildon said that the Marine Reserves Bill is a priority topic for the Council’s Annual Conference, being held in New Plymouth from 12^th July this year.

“We can successfully and sustainably manage fish stocks,” said Mr. Gildon, “but the full benefits of doing so are denied to all New Zealanders if large areas of the coastline are closed to fishing as provided for in this new Bill.  We, and the Select Committee, must aim for the right balance between protection and use.”