TOS Regional Recreational Forum - Tuesday 22 May 2007

Open Meeting & Apologies

Meeting chair, Nathan Glassey (MFish), opened the meeting and welcomed attendees. 

Attendees

Martyn Barlow

John Duncan

Charlie Boulton

Ron Prestage

John Waugh

John Williams

Betty McNab

Mark Roden

Ron Adams

MFish staff:

Nathan Glassey

Nikki Pindur

Scott Williamson (left after Hector’s dolphin discussion)

Paul Creswell (for the discussion on Hector’s dolphin)

DOC Staff: Andrew Baxter (for the discussion on Hector’s dolphin)

Apologies:

Greg Goodall

Agenda conformation

Nathan confirmed the agenda and order of agenda items. Ron Adams’ item was moved forward.

Meeting notes of the previous meeting

Members confirmed notes from previous meeting.

Members identified incomplete action items:

Forum members have not all sent in their feedback forms

Nathan will liaise with Geoff Clarke to come to the next forum meeting

Members regional updates

Members provided an update on recreational fishing in their local areas. Most members submitted fishing reports.

Charlie noted that some West Coast recreational fishers have commented the recreational bag limits for some species are too high, and some fishers have asked we consider reducing the bag limits. Nathan outlined two ways to investigate this proposal:

1) Recreational Fishing Regulations Review – MFish agreed to consider a number of recreational fishing regulations submitted through the Recreational Fishing Council over a period of three years. The next review is likely to start before the next forum meeting but MFish will contact forum members to outline the process.

2) The Government-led fisheries plan process that involves stakeholders working together to help define fisheries objectives.

Members agreed to discuss these items in General Business.

John Duncan asked the following compliance question:

If people are fishing outside the sounds are in possession of 6 blue cod are they allowed to be in possession of these if they then come into the Sounds? John Waugh explained that the burden of proof lies with the fishers.

Actions:

Nikki to compile local update reports into the Excel database.

Nathan/Nikki to ask Geoff Clark from compliance to attend the next meeting (August) to give a compliance update.

Regional Update-MFish

Nathan reviewed the MFish update sent to members in April.

Nathan also advised that the Ministry is probable not going to review the catch levels of any local fish stocks this year, but is considering changes to deemed values for some local fish stocks.

Members asked for more information on a recent letter from MFish proposing the QMS be applied to a number of new species. Nathan explained the differences between QMS management and non-QMS management and explained that if a fishery needs to be actively managed to provide for sustainable use, the QMS is Governments preferred framework. Nathan also clarified that the MFish proposals were only seeking initial views – more consultation on proposals will follow later in the year.

Hector’s Dolphin Threat Management Plan

Paul Creswell outlined work that DOC and MFish were undertaking on the Hector’s dolphin threat management plan (Paul’s presentation is available for people who would like to keep a copy).

Some members were concerned the plan was predicated on banning set netting. Paul explained the plan aims to identify and address threats to Hector’s dolphins and is a response to obligations at a national and international level.

Paul recorded observations and comments from forum members on where they see Hector’s dolphins in the top of the South Island area. Apart from the West Coast, sightings are relatively few. John did not think set netting in Golden Bay is a problem – because people are mainly set netting in inlets where dolphins do not typically occur.

Considering mitigation measures, members considered it was not practical to ask fishers to stay with their nets all the time – especially fishing for butterfish and moki fishing. People often set the nets from their boats then leave to line fish.

Members were also reluctant to support set net soaking times because bad weather often prevented fishers collecting nets within time constraints. On balance, members considered remaining close to set nets more appropriate.

Discussion on the Marlborough Combined Divers Assn Initiative

Ron Adams discussed the Marlborough Combined Divers Assn negotiations with the Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company to limit scallop dredging in near shore environments in the Marlborough Sounds. Ron will update members on progress at the next forum meeting.

Top of the South Island Fisheries Research

Nathan explained the fisheries research planning and reporting cycle to the forum and described briefly some of the research projects completed and discussed at the science working group process this year.

Nathan also described the method and results of the West Coast Trawl Survey (the main piece of finfish research for FMA 7). Nathan’s presentation is available for forum members.

Nathan also discussed NIWA’s tarakihi tagging programme for Tasman Bay and noted that if members encounter tagged tarakihi they need to contact NIWA.

Nikki noted that the top of the South Island recreational fishing survey data should be available around September/October.

Nikki described some preliminary results from the West Coast South Island recreational fishing survey. The peer review process is not complete, but Nikki will provide members with results once it is.

Snapper (SNA) 7 Minimum Legal Size

Nathan facilitated group discussion on a proposal to review the SNA 7 MLS. Members critically examined the pros and cons of this idea and also considered what they might be trying to achieve by pursuing a review. Nathan recorded the discussion to enable MFish to examine the proposal to provide members with more information at the next meeting.

Members made no decisions on a way forward apart from agreeing to consider the proposal in more detail, with more information, at the next meeting. Some members considered any review should apply to all sectors. Ron said he will talk with Carol Scott from Challenger to see what the company position is on the current size limits.

Members noted that the MLS for other species (eg, gurnard) were also small and the forum might want to consider its position on these as well. Members will pick up this discussion at the next meeting.

General Business

Set lines on charter boats

Members discussed compliance rules for set lining from charter vessels.

Recreational fishing bag limits

The forum agreed to discuss this item again at the next meeting with a view to developing a problem definition.

New Job for Nathan

Nathan thanked forum members for their constructive input during his time coordinating the forum (Nathan is leaving MFish Nelson). The forum noted Nathans contribution and thanked Nathan for his work with the forum over the last year.

Agenda items for the next meeting

The following is a list of agenda items raised during the meeting for the next forum meeting:

Recreational fishing bag limits

Customary fishing framework

Ron Adams to update re discussions with Challenger

Marine Protected Areas progress update

District Compliance Manager attending