Recreational fishing survey to make grim reading - Dunne

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has welcomed the Government’s launch of a recreational fishing survey today, however he has warned that the results may “make pretty grim reading”.

“I am pleased with the Minister’s announcement,” said Mr Dunne, “however, I fear that the information we get back from the survey will make pretty grim reading for the future of recreational fishing in New Zealand.”

“For the survey to have the necessary impact it needs to be as robust as possible, there is no point in papering over the problems. However, I also do not wish to see this used as a cynical attempt to impose a licensing system on recreational anglers either.”

“Our common, traditional right to harvest from the sea is increasingly under threat, the commercial fishing industry and the priority it receives through the Quota Management System has endangered the ability of Kiwis to catch fish for the table.”

“Quota allocation contracts sold to foreign fishing companies are having a detrimental effect on the sustainability of the fishery and also the commercial industry here.”

“Rust-bucket Taiwanese, Chinese and Russian vessels are pillaging our fishery using questionable techniques while getting away with exploitative crew employment conditions and standards far below what is expected of any domestic operation.”

“The Government needs to address these practices while also obligating foreign companies to hire New Zealand crew or at least process their catch here. At present we get zero economic benefit from the degradation of our fish stocks.”

“UnitedFuture believes the Fisheries Act needs to be amended to ensure that recreational fishers have a priority right over the commercial fishing sector to access a reasonable daily bag-limit of both shellfish and finfish.”

“The over-fishing of New Zealand’s waters is not due to the recreational sector, so why should they be penalised to fight for the scraps left to them by the increasingly unsustainable commercial quota,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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