Dunne backs fishermen against DOC

United Future leader, Peter Dunne, has come out strongly in support of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council in its battle against Department of Conservation attempts to lock up the vast majority of the country's recreational fishing areas.

The Council has complained that DOC is using myths, fantasies, fallacies and virtually non-existent science as it endeavours to persuade the public that vast areas of the New Zealand coastline should be locked up in marine reserves.

The Council says "The areas proposed as reserves (Wellington's south coast, Volkner Rocks, Tiritiri Matangi, Waiheke and Great Barrier) appear to have been chosen by throwing darts at a map."

Mr Dunne said "I was under the impression that it was DOC's responsibility to look after the New Zealand environment, for the benefit of New Zealanders.

"Given that this is the same department that often prevents the sensible development of more hydro power resources, in order to save scrub of no discernible value, one has to wonder just where DOC's priorities lie.

"It is time for the newly-appointed Minister of Conservation to show some leadership and pull the one-eyed zealots in his Department back into line for the benefit of mainstream New Zealand," said Mr Dunne.

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