Stringent Conditions On Commercial Set Netting

23 October 2001

The High Court has set stringent conditions on commercial fishers wanting to continue set netting on Auckland's West Coast, pending a Judicial Review of the Minister of Fisheries decision to ban commercial set netting in the region.

These conditions include an interim order to abide by a four nautical mile closed area from the Manukau Harbour to Taranaki Point, near Aotea Harbour. Harbours were not included in the closed area.

The Ministry of Fisheries is heartened by the attitude shown by the Northern Inshore Fisheries Company in agreeing to abide by this closed area.

In addition there are stringent reporting requirements for fishers working outside the closed area but within the wider management area.

The interim measures are binding, and not simply a voluntary agreement.

The Ministry does not agree with a number of claims made by the Northern Inshore Fisheries Company in seeking a Review, and these claims will be vigorously defended in Court at the substantive hearing, likely to be in December.

In August the Minister of Fisheries announced that all amateur and commercial set netting would be prohibited within four nautical miles of the coast from Maunganui Bluff (north of Dargaville) to Pariokariwa Point (north of New Plymouth) in an effort to ensure the survival of the critically endangered Hector's dolphin population.

Amateur set net fishers must continue to abide by this wider closed area.

Ends

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