The Ministry's Snapper 1 Initial Position Paper (discussion document) is finally out.

To me the Ministry's proposals seem firmly locked into the straight jacket of the Quota Management System, the stock assessment projections for the next 5 years, and advice from Crown Law.  The Ministries preferred option is to give any increase, or cuts in overall tonnage in line with existing proportions (60% commercial: 40% recreational)

They could increase a little (500 t) and the rebuild would slow. Still need to cut our bag limits.

They could leave the total allowable catch where it is, no change to commercial quota. Still need to cut our bag limits.

They could reduce everyone a little (500 t), commercial share by 320 t (7%).  Bag limit of 3. Red Herring ??

There are some alternatives which need a closer look but the base case is a disappointing   kick in the groin.

This table is our early summary of the proportional proposals.  Total Allowable catch (TAC); Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC); Allowance for Recreational Fishers (Rec); Allowance for Customary fishers (Cust); Allowance for other sources of fishing related mortality (Other). 27 to 36 cm = possible amateur min legal size and bag limit in column below to fit with the Allowance for Recreational Fishers based on catch recorded in 2011-12.  Option 1 is Status Quo based on the old 1997 allowances.

 

	TAC	TACC	Rec	Cust	Other	27cm	30cm	33cm	35cm	36cm
Option1	7550	4500	2550	50	450	3	3	4	9	9
Option2	8050	4820	2730	50	450	4	4	6	9	9
Option3	7050	4180	2370	50	450	3	3	3	5	9

IMO none of the options presented by govt are acceptable. They are all non negotiable .
Maybe walk away from the talks . Then when they make their decision with out any of our input they cant say we agreed.
When we see local business dependent on fishing from boat builders ,tackle shops etc ,go into decline,and when the govt realizes that the tax take from their mates in the fishing industry isnt as great as ours then we can counter claim. Media coverage ,petitions in every shopping mall . And when people get angry enough then we will make progress.
And as for increasing size limit. How stupid is that. Will see more fishers bring in undersize fish,dump more dead fish and many come back with nothing in some cases.That will mean less fishers and less tax for the govt.
If they are not prepared to address commercial waste first and foremost then walk away.
Dont want any of their current  proposals accepted on my behalf. Non negotiable.!!
Present proposals are an insult,and will both harm the fishery and us.

cirrus wrote: IMO none of the options presented by govt are acceptable. They are all non negotiable . Maybe walk away from the talks . Then when they make their decision with out any of our input they cant say we agreed.

 That wouldn't work unfortunately.  The Govt would take the view that we (the rec fishos) were not opposing any of the options and therefore would assume they have our tacit agreement to the proposal which they like the most.  Govts are very good at assuming stuff....

This GOVT  is robbing us hard from anything and everything they can. 

Legasea have an experienced team.

Thanks John.

Do you think the ministry has purposely gone with a unrealistically low number, hoping we will counter propose with a higher number? (but still below the current bag limit)

All everyone is doing is playing with numbers..no one really knows the true state of the fishery overall..all theory , conjecture and multiplication .

I remember a few years ago when the govt proposed massive increases to acc levies and the first effect of this was to hugely increase the registration fees for motorcycles. Their basic data was flawed and they took notice of only the information and statisitcs that suited their cause.
there was huge public outcry, national protests, marches on parliament etc.

In the end the govt graciously reduced the increases so they came out looking great in the eyes of most. But still tripled the fees and since then slowly increased all the other rego fees greatly.

Someone above mentioned maybe the govt is giving an opening bid and then will concede a bit and still drop the limits for rec fishers, and thus appear nice to all the mass uninformed population.
This govt is expert at doing whatever they want while manipulating the media and public while portraying themselves to be working for the people.

It is very hard to change the course of the govt as most of the time the decision has already been made and all they are doing is justifying it by whatever means necessary.

it is unbelievable the Gov will no take into account that we gave them snapper to fix this problem 10/12 years ago...
we saw the writing on the wall back then...
but no they gave that "what we gave" to the bloody Com's instead,
now they want more of our allocation instead of returning what they shouldn't of had in the first place...

Give them nothing, or Vote the aholes out...
truck load of rotting fish on the door steps of parliament would make them sit up and take notice...