Further consultation on shared paua fishery favoured

Friday, 14 June 2013, 1:01 pm
Press Release: Seafood New Zealand

Further consultation on shared Otago/Southland paua fishery the best option

Seafood New Zealand says further stakeholder consultation on a shared paua fishery for sections of the Otago/Southland coast is a welcome step and the best option.

The Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, has announced that the consultation process, begun earlier this year, on extending the shared fishery between commercial and recreational divers, will continue for some further months.

Seafood New Zealand CEO, Tim Pankhurst, says more discussions will take the heat out of what has become an emotional debate and allow an informed scientific understanding of what the effect of commercial and recreational divers sharing the fishery will be.

“It has become clear that some people in the region have been misinformed as to where the proposed new shared areas are, and what the result of commercial quota holders diving for paua in the region would be,” Tim Pankhurst says.
He says a stock assessment for the region’s paua fishery is due out very soon and he’s confident that it will show the paua fishery is in a healthy state and growing.

“The industry has always been eager for a better understanding and discussion with all stakeholders in the industry, recreational and customary alike. This extension gives us a great opportunity to work out the issues.”

ends

© Scoop Media