Snapper catch at risk from quota decisions

The sustainable future of the East Coast of the North Island snapper catch is in doubt in view of Ministerial decisions on future catch allocations says the president of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council Ross Gildon.

"The interests of recreational fishers has been shafted in favour of commercial companies in the so-called SNA 2 area off the East Coast and southern area of the North Island by the manner in which increases in the quota for 2002-03 have been handled.

"It was our sector who took the cut in bag limits from 15 down to 10 snapper per angler per day because of the conservation issue a couple of years ago. We were quite happy with the 30% cut if it meant that there were going to be more fish out there spawning, but now the minister has given our fish away to commercial fishers by giving them a 43% increase in quota for the coming year.

"The Minister has generously increased our sectors allowance, but it is just a claytons increase for us because there has been no rise in bag limits to allow us to catch the extra fish.

"The commercial sector are given an increase in quota and they are allowed to catch their increase.  We are given an increase and it stays in the water until the minister cuts our allowances, and probably bag limits, again because of the extra catch this year by the industry.

"Our advisors at key positions around the coastline have all indicated that the Catch per Unit Effort has not improved over the past few years. Nor has there been any noticeable increase in the size of the fish being caught.  These are the key indicators that suggest there is no scope for any increase in quota if the fishery is to be regarded as sustainable.

"The Ministry's ability to put the mighty dollar ahead of fisheries sustainability is legendary. Here we go again! The Minister of Fisheries should take a closer look at the facts" - ends

For further information: Ross Gildon, President NZ Recreational Fishing Council. Tel: (07) 308-4077; evenings (07) 312-5068; mobile 025-989-363