Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty Regional Recreational Forum
Date: 11 March 2008
Time: 1400 – 1900
Present: Peter Ellery, John Friend, Don Glass, Peter, Hempleman, George Johnston, Geoff Manks, Anthony Olsen, Peter Stevenson, Kim Walshe, Richard Baker, Andrew McCulley (MFish), Alan Moore (MFish), Kaye van der Straten (MFish), Brendon Mikkelsen (MFish).
Draft Summary of Discussion
Matters arising from previous minutes
Coromandel scallops
A discussion on Coromandel scallops will be held at the next meeting. Kim noted that the NIWA recreational scallop report had been to the working group and was publicly available. The report was photocopied and circulated to forum members.
Action:
MFish to arrange a presentation on scallop management for the next forum meeting.
Fisheries Assessment Working Groups
The group was provided copies of the Fisheries Working Group schedule. The group was advised that the northern inshore finfish and the northern shellfish working groups are both coming up soon.
Action:
For dates and agendas; contact either Alan or Andrew.
Commercial fishing restrictions
A map of commercial fishing restrictions was provided to forum members. It was requested that a clearer map be provided. Also, an extension of the map was requested to cover the commercial fishing restrictions for the BOP region.
Action:
MFish to provide a map of regulations covering the BOP region.
MFish to provide a clearer copy of the map, and to look into the possibility of providing the maps in colour.
Spatial management tools
The possibility of MFish engaging in a public awareness campaign to promote the use of spatial management tools in regard to fisheries management was briefly discussed.
2. Election of a chair
The forum commended the decision to elect a non MFish chairperson for the forum. Nominations were sought and Peter Ellery was elected as chair.
The duties/responsibilities of the chair include; chairing meeting, approval of agenda and approving draft minutes. The administration role will remain with MFish. The chair was elected for a 1 year term.
If the chair is unavailable for a meeting, a chair shall be elected from the floor for that meeting.
3. Compliance matters
Brendon Mikkelsen gave an update on the compliance issues to the forum.
Brendon reported that both the Auckland and Tauranga offices have had a number of new recruits. Interest was raised regarding numbers of compliance officers,. Brendon estimated that staff numbers in the Tauranga district had either grown or stayed the same. There had definitely not been any reduction in permanent staff numbers. Brendon informed the forum that there has been a reduction of volunteers (HFO’s) over the last five years, but Brendon was encouraged by the retention of quality staff over that period.
The two most recent issues in the region were; undersized snapper being caught off wharfs on Auckland’s east coast, and the gathering of undersized shellfish.
An ongoing concern for compliance was the poor understanding of fisheries regulations by new immigrants.
In general compliance in the BOP region had been good. However there are still issues surrounding shellfish gathering, specifically paua and pipi.
Brendon spoke about the success of the 0800 POACHER number, in particular how improved signage around the coast has contributed to the continued success of the number.
The use and design of MFish crayfish measure was discussed by the forum. There was agreement that the design of the MFish crayfish measure is confusing. Richard proposed that the measure should be replaced by ”gap” measure’.
As the instructions were separate from the measure, it was noted that these would get lost or damaged over time. It was suggested that the instructions should be printed on the measure.
George spoke of drilling a hole into the corner of the measure where the spine tip can go through. He highlighted the issue by talking of a recent dive trip of approximately 60 divers, of which only one knew how to correctly use the MFish measure.
George also noted that the crayfish measure issue was less of a concern in the BOP as there was an abundance of legal sized crayfish.
As a group the forum discussed the option of putting forward a resolution to the MFish to change the current design. The forum supported a move to the ‘gap’ styled measure as they are simpler and would be easier to use.
It was also discussed whether MFish should be involved in providing a measurement tool. In general the forum believed it is something MFish should continue to do.
Alan suggested that fisheries officers should be canvassed for their opinions on the measures. This would provide valuable information on public use of the tool.
MFish raised issues about inter-tidal shellfish gathering and specifically regarding Cockle Bay on the southern shores of the Hauraki Gulf. The possibility of a closed season to help protect cockle in the bay is being discussed. Also tangata whenua are looking at a section 186(A) closure for Umupuia Beach.
Kim spoke about the need for ‘before and after’ research on surrounding beaches to ascertain displacement effects. Richard questioned the possibility of a reduced bag limit (specifically for cockles). John believed that the issue was not the bag limits, as non compliance is already a major issue, and that reducing bag limits would not help. Rather, the issue required an increased presence of fisheries officers to target non compliance.
The forum also discussed the issue of beach closures generally. They raised a need for careful consideration to be given to displacement effects. The forum discussed a need to protect coastal areas rather than discrete beach closures. A seasonal/temporal closure of beaches, as a measure to protect areas, was also discussed by the forum. George talked about local management where shellfish could be sustainably harvested cyclically from areas to maximise catches while managing the stock correctly.
Geoff asked about the potential benefits of seasonal closures in the scallop fishery and asked if they provided for better management, and if this would work for other shellfish species. Kim responded and gave the forum a brief explanation of some of the management measures in the scallop fishery, he also warned that in the past Toheroa had been managed by seasonal closures, but had been heavily harvested during short open seasons.
MFish is currently continuing to improve public education, aiming to increasing compliance with fisheries regulations through better education of rules and the reasons why they are important.
George spoke of a poor understanding of the rules in many places around the BOP, emphasising the need for better education.
4. National Recreational Forum meeting
Richard and Anthony reported on the National Recreational Forum meeting.
Anthony praised the forum meeting on its presentation, and commended the support provided by MFish. The meeting provided presentations and feedback on recreational species, and provided analysis of recreational catch.
Anthony was concerned that the customary catch information that is collected by tangata kaitiaki is not being analysed by MFish. This information should be analysed and fed back to tangata kaitiaki to help them make more informed decisions when providing customary permits. This information could be provided to some of the older tangata kaitiaki who have become less involved in customary fishing.
In relation to customary harvest, Anthony was of the opinion that customary fishing practices and traditions could be eroded by Maori using commercial fishers to collect kai for hui and tangi.
Richard commented that the focus of the forum was often at a national level at the expense of local issues.
Compliance issues were also raised at the meeting. Richard questioned MFish’s will to prevent illegal crayfish catch, especially around the East Cape region, caught under customary permit. He argued that the 80 tonnes of illegal crayfish catch allocated under the TAC showed that MFish was not dedicated to enforcement. Brendon responded that a compliance presence was in place, although not always seen, and disputed that “nothing was being done”.
Fisheries management tools were discussed. The forum spoke of customary tools which were available. The forum discussed the potential for a conflict of interest between the customary sector and the commercial sector for which Mäori have significant interests. Anthony talked about the difficulties balancing interests from a traditional customary perspective and a commercial perspective. He was concerned that it has the potential to be divisive and puts customary fishing under threat.
It was reported to the forum that there has been slow progress with shared fisheries. However, a ‘terms of reference’ had been agreed to. The forum spoke of the shared fisheries issue being the key to fisheries management and in particular the key role Maori can play due to their interest in all sectors, commercial, recreational and non-commercial customary.
The forum briefly discussed the proposal for charter boat reporting. The forum noted that there was scepticism about the proposal by charter boat operators. They also noted the value of the information that could be provided by charter boat operators.
It was recommended that the national meeting should occur annually.
The forum discussed the funding of the proposed recreational fishing trust. The establishment of a trust for recreational fishers was seen as a really positive step. The success of the trust was seen to be reliant upon 100% ‘buy in’ from all amateur groups.
It was suggested that the forum should take an interest in the format and make-up of the trust.
5. Shared Fisheries
Re the joint recreational, commercial and TOKM working party, Richard discussed whether TOKM could represent Maori non-commercial customary fishing interests. The potential conflict of interest was highlighted as a potential cause for concern.
It was questioned whether the working group would meet its original timeframe. It was noted that the delay was due in part to the pending Kahawai Court of Appeal decision.
6. Regulatory rounds
The alignment of the east and west coast scallop season, and the prohibition of set nets in the Kaipara harbour were both briefly discussed.
7. Fish Plans
The third meeting for the Northland scallop FPAG is planned to be held in Paihia on Monday 17th March. The FPAG is currently working through stage 1 of the fisheries plan, the ‘current state’ of the fishery section.
MFish is looking to bring the Coromandel scallops proof of concept plan into the fish plan process.
As previously discussed, the forum is interested in a presentation of the management of the Coromandel scallop fishery
Richard reported from the BGFC about potential conflicts with commercial fishers wanting to land striped marlin. Richard suggested that the forum support the continuation of the prohibition on the landing of commercially caught marlin. He estimates that the value gained from a recreationally caught marlin is 10-15 times more than a commercially caught marlin. The forum was interested in marlin bycatch from the skipjack fishery.
Action:
Provide the forum with statistics on catch records and restrictions regarding marlin bycatch
8. Regional Updates
Hauraki Gulf
No specific new issues. The depletion of shellfish, and commercial fishing inside the gulf are both ongoing issues. Don was keen to see the Hauraki Gulf become an area of non commercial fishing only.
A map was provided with the commercial fishing restrictions for the Hauraki Gulf. Don asked if a clearer map was available. The forum was also interested in the use of MFish’s NABIS program.
Action:
MFish demonstrate the NABIS program at the next forum meeting.
Bay of Plenty
The fishing has been very good, with abundant kingfish, snapper and schools of blue mackerel.
George was concerned about set netting in the river mouths near Whakatane. He estimated that 100’s of tonnes would be caught there, and the set netters were fishing in an area which is heavily fished by land based recreational fishers. George was keen to see netting controls around river mouths. The discussion moved into a discussion on local area management tools. Customary tools were discussed as a possibly way to manage such issues, using local knowledge and local management.
Peter spoke of the potential of taiapure and mätaitai, where the local community can work with tangata whenua to achieve local area management. It was noted that Ngati Awa were investigating proposals for mätaitai for these areas, that such proposals would if approved most likely meet the concerns raised by George, and that this process should take precedence over any regulatory change.
Other regional issues
Don asked if there was an update on Aotea marine reserve proposal. Alan Moore informed the forum that no decision had been made.
Alan also noted that the MPA classification, protection standard and implementation guidelines has been released. Press releases stated that there are 4 regions in which work is to commence, one of which is the Hauraki Gulf. The proposal requires the establishment of a Marine Protection Planning Forum to consider and consult on proposed MPAs. Membership of the forum will most likely include recreational interests. Such representatives could come from the recreational forum.
The forum discussed the urgency of other management tools to be implemented before the MPA policy is in place. The forum was concerned about the MPA policy locking up areas in marine reserves which could exclude all forms of fishing.
Alan also asked the forum if there was interest in a day of fisheries management seminars. It was seen as a way for people to gather information about fisheries management and on issues such as shared fisheries. The forum thought the seminars would be valuable, provided that they were not held during the fishing season.
Following on from that Geoff proposed that MFish needs to do more educational work. In particular focus on children, in taking a wider view to education of fisheries management. Possibly provide schools with an educational DVD, or similar tool.
Date for the next meeting:
17th June in Auckland, to be confirmed by Alan
Following meetings
Tuesday 9 September Tauranga MFish office
Tuesday 9 December Auckland MFish office