SUMMARY OF NORTHLAND NON-COMMERCIAL FISHING FORUM’S SEVENTH MEETING

Venue: Ministry of Fisheries office

32 Herekino Street

Whangarei

Time/Date: Wednesday 6^th June 2007

4.00 – 9.00pm

Present:

Stephanie Hill and Murray Bruges (MFish, Auckland), Darren Edwards (MFish, Whangarei), Bruce Howse (Northland Regional Council), Paul Batten, John Holdsworth, Simon Howard, Geoff Stone, Des Subritzky, John Torr

---

Meeting summary/actions

Meeting summary from 28 February 2007 was confirmed. There was an update on actions arising from that meeting.

Comments – QMS introduction standard: There are still some concerns regarding the introduction of non-commercially targeted species into the QMS. Some forum members suggested that many in the recreational sector viewed QMS introduction as giving the commercial sector more rights to a given species than recreational fishers.

Water quality

Bruce Howse, Northland Regional Council

Discussion of the various land-derived pressures on water quality and possible effects on fisheries. Bruce described three broad categories of pollutants:

Bruce also described how changes in habitat types can change fishery characteristics, such as a change from a sandy environment to an environment characterised by mangroves. Other stressors included a general increase in boating in Northland—with over 3000 moorings registered in the Northland region—and continued coastal subdivision, which can increase sediment loading and reduce riparian vegetation.

Bruce summarised the state of the Northland environment as follows:

• Environment significantly modified
• Sediment in streams and harbours one of the major issues—most of the damage is done, i.e. the sediment has already eroded and is in the system
• Currently significantly less sediment going into system compared to historical land clearance
• Microbial water quality can be problematic, especially after heavy rain—this is a difficult issue to control

Discussion:

Simon: dredging in Paihia Harbour. Bruce confirmed that a proposal had been lodged with NRC but had yet to be processed. Bruce noted that the application proposed partial disposal of dredged material to a beach, and the rest to land. Bruce also noted that disposal of dredged material back to sea was against NRC policies.

Geoff: why have shellfish disappeared from beaches?

Are there controls on fertilisers? Bruce: NRC has not considered this yet.

John T: What about requiring fencing all riparian zones? Bruce: NRC has not got to that level yet, however there is a $500 000 fund to which landowners can apply for environmental improvement work such as riparian fencing. Also, by June 2009, it will be prohibited for all stock to access coastal marine areas.

Des: many streams have slowed down, become silted or dried up and the water table is lower in many places. These streams can no longer supply fresh water for toheroa.

Bruce: seagrass in Whangarei harbour has substantially declined. Some restoration has been attempted by a NIWA project. Also, the cement plant has closed, the sewage plant has been upgraded (it was previously a substantial source of sedimentation), and dredged material is no longer disposed into the harbour. These changes should reduce the loss of seagrass. John H. noted there would likely be public support for doing larger scale restoration works once successful techniques had been established.

Bruce: NRC also recently started a two-year estuarine monitoring project including:

• Sediment sampling
• Animals present
• Toxins
• Mapping intertidal habitat (e.g. mangroves, seagrass, riparian vegetation etc)

Currently undertaking this monitoring in Whangarei harbour and Ruakaka estuary. This will involve sampling every year for 5 years and then returning after a 5 year break.

Simon: Pity this is only happening now—after five years there will be much more population pressure on the region. Bruce: Agrees. Partly due to need get coastal plans established first, partly due to reluctance to charge rates high enough to cover work.

Simon: Will the Bay of Islands be monitored in this way? Is the monitoring approach still being developed? Bruce: Approach developed by the Cawthron Institute and well-established. Bay of Islands, Kerikeri and Houhora Harbour all to be monitored in future.

Geoff: Waikare Inlet, Orongo Bay and Russell should also be monitored. Significant pressure from subdivision, mangrove encroachment. Also, conflict with oyster farmers possible in future.

Bruce: there are also targeted water quality programs now running, such as the Far North District Council now requires septic tanks to be cleared every three years, and an upgrade to the Kawakawa treatment plant. Also, there is a 24 hour hotline for urgent pollution issues.

Just gone through annual plan process (April). People can submit on the plan, e.g. to request more monitoring.

MFish updates

Bulletin

The MFish bulletin update was taken as read. Key topics discussed were:

• Maui’s Dolphin: seen as far north as Hokianga. Small pod seen around Kaipara heads. A meeting had proposed a set net ban around the heads. A four mile trawl restriction proposal had also come from one of the dolphin meetings. John H questioned whether or not controls under Wildlife Act were proposed and whether or not these would be applied just in known dolphin areas or more widely.
• Sustainability round: Lots of discussion around tarakihi proposal. To what degree could MFish quantify recreational catch? Had there been boat ramp surveys? Murray: Can only quantify to a limited degree based on 1996 and 2000 recreational harvest estimates. Many forum members reported that tarakihi have decreased in size and availability in the East Northland region in the last three years. Tarakihi not available even in deep areas (105 metres) always known to have had tarakihi previously. Murray agreed to distribute papers when available.
• Des raised the concern that Asian Date Mussels might be encroaching on scallop habitat in Kaipara
• Kahawai plenary: new stock info discussed. Uncertainty in natural mortality[*], recreational catches, and recruitment. Several scenarios were examined and almost all concluded that spawning stock is likely to be greater than the biomass that can produce maximum sustainable yield (B_MSY). The current total allowable catch (TAC) lies within the range of estimates of maximum sustainable yield, depending on what assumptions are made. John H. commented he still considered there was a possibility of range contraction having occurred – i.e. there were still fish in areas of prime habitat, but less fish on the outer edges of their range.
• Deemed values: in general, the deemed value standard is seen as useful. However, there was also work occurring on broader framework questions to do with what happened to revenue from deemed values – JH would like an update on this aspect also.

Compliance Update:

Darren: Recreational scallop season change happening this season. Forum members stressed that better advertisement of this change is necessary as many recreational fishers unaware. Suggested advertisements in local papers, fishing magazines, radio stations and to ensure West Coasters are made aware also, as many also fish East coast from time to time.

John Torr: Free diary given out at by Coast Guard at boat show. Listed MFish regulations, but many incorrect.

Darren: Current compliance focus on education rather than enforcement. Good volunteer network around Northland with 22 honorary fishery officers (HFOs). Forum questioned how well supported these HFOs were, and whether or not they had access to boats. Darren: HFOs cannot use private boats for MFish duties. MFish runs a boat programme over summer with both fishery officers and HFOs. Geoff noted that knowledge that officers would be out on boats was very important for achieving compliance. Darren noted that recreational compliance on the water is currently quite high.

Darren: Project protector: inshore commercial patrols starting 08/09. 0800 POACHER is working well.

Paua/Rock Lobster/Scallop measurers distributed to forum members.

Paul: what is the definition of soft for CRA?

Darren: no firm definition. It’s only soft if it’s post-molt. If two out of three criteria are met, it is considered soft (these are horn, tail and where body meets legs). Approach is to educate rather than prosecute.

Shared Fisheries Update:

Forum disappointed with low number of recreational submissions. John H noted that there were a number of technical misconceptions in the summary of submissions.

Members’ updates

• Paul Batten: fishing is currently difficult. Number and size of fish limited in competitions. John dory fishing well, as is marlin. Kahawai, tarakihi and snapper not so good. Would like compliance to attend club day.
• Simon Howard: water temperature is up and gurnard are sticking around longer. Fish seem to be hanging around estuaries due to the water temperature. Mullet starting to come back, as are flounder, both of which have less commercial pressure than other species. No tarakihi in deep. Kahawai and trevally quite rare. Rock lobster a bit lean. Reports of night fishing for crays and some fishers taking “lots” concerning.
• Des Subritzky: snapper still not good in Kaipara. Many failing to reach bag limit. Gurnard fishing well. Mostly sharks around the heads. Flounder fishing okay. Grey mullet limited.
• John Torr: Fifteen new members for the OBC. Number of recreational fishers increasing. Fishing patchy. Some good fish (e.g. big gurnard in Parua Bay). Some good days, some bad. Yellow-eyed mullet schools in Bream Bay (no kahawai or snapper with them). Still problems with the local council and sewage release. Seagrass re-seeding area looks to be in the same area as the proposed aquaculture management area. Lots of snapper caught on edge of Snake Bank.
• John Holdsworth: Late season for marlin on the coast. John caught, tagged and released a marlin on 31^st May. Aotea marine reserve hui was on 26^th May at Matapouri marae (Ngati wai). There would be a series of meetings up the coast. That hui emphasised importance of the sea and kai moana to Maori on the Island, past, present and future and wanted to know how this importance would be conveyed to the Minister. The onus seems to be on fishers to prove an adverse effect.
• Geoff Stone: Good summer. Snapper very good, but slowed down a bit now. Still good around the edges. Mullet and flounder available. Still no pelagic sharks, and not a lot of tuna. Marlin concentrated between back of Barrier and off Bergen’s. Kings bank cold. Three years since had confidence in broadbill fishery, but they’re back again this year. Mostly smaller than 100 kgs. Longliners catching quite a few small ones. This fishery used to be known for the size of broadbills, not so much the numbers of fish. Concerned that introduction to the QMS would affect this. I.e. a fishery based on tonnage could see the average size decrease. This is a big concern. Hapuku fishery off Bay of Islands poor last year. Kingfish coming back, but still small.
• Members have heard rumours that DOC have suggested a marine reserve for Three Kings, out to 800m drop-off. This would cause problems for fisheries such as crays and hapuku, because effort currently located at the Kings would be re-located along the coast.

Actions:

• Distribute sustainability round papers when available;
• Report back on broadbill catches.
• Update on progress with marine protected areas process (with information on Three Kings if available).

Other agenda items

Review of forum:

Geoff noted that the forum was a big commitment of time, and the benefits not always apparent. However, face to face contact seen as beneficial, as is information going between recreational sector and MFish, even if results not “earth-shattering.” The ‘grassroots’ level of interaction seen as beneficial, rather than just having MFish engage with heads of organisations; it can also be less adversarial at grassroots level.

John Torr felt that the forums were a good opportunity to talk to MFish staff regarding their experiences as recreational fishers, and to share info from those actually fishing as opposed to indirect info (e.g. surveys). He also felt that the forum acts as a useful voice for representative fishing groups and has improved own understanding of fisheries management. Moreover, working with the forum had changed his perspective of MFish as being legalistic in approach. There is a wide range of strengths and different perspectives round the table, which is valuable.

John Holdsworth commented that the meetings are enjoyable, but are probably longer than they need to be. Possibly tighter chairing could help with this. Currently the group’s role is mostly information sharing, but sees potential for role to grow as we move into fisheries plans, for example providing a source of people to work across sectors on specific plans.

Simon Howard: concept great as a way of “crossing the divide” between MFish and reccies (which is very hard in practice). Meetings probably go on a bit long and cover issues that don’t relate to the local fisheries management issues he is specifically interested in. There are local issues in the Kaipara and Bay of Islands that need more focus. Less interest in broader fisheries management issues. However, would like forum meetings to continue, it is useful to have the direct contact with the Ministry..

Paul Batten: great venue for questions, getting info. The info from members to MFish is not necessarily as high as it could be—i.e. not “statutory consultation.” However, role unclear, e.g. is the forum expected to provide joint submissions? Geoff Stone agrees, noting that as MFish staff attend, there could be a danger that they are linked to views that are not their own.

John Torr: the more info you can assimilate, the more you can understand the broader picture. Must be a wide view within the forum.

Des Subritzky: personal focus in the Kaipara. Enjoys meetings and appreciates involvement of compliance/Darren. Local perspective important.

Forum members noted membership numbers were declining. Partly this is due to ill health of individual members. However, individuals need to assess whether or not it is useful for them to continue to participate.

Geoff Stone: why don’t we advertise for new members, especially in areas we don’t currently have representation, i.e. Houhora, Whangaroa.

Paul Batten: difficulties of covering large area, requires a commitment of time. Do we need another member from up North? Should we extend an invitation to members of the clubs up there? Continuity of membership important, commitment important. This is a general problem for community groups.

General agreement that it would be useful to seek new members.

Actions:

• Forum members to seek new people for the forum as appropriate

Next meeting:

Approx three months: late August, early September.

Location: Bay of Islands

Next meeting to be facilitated by Murray Bruges. Steph Hill moving onto new role in Highly Migratory Species Team. Steph gave her thanks for the work she has done with the group, which she has enjoyed a lot.