SUMMARY OF THE NORTHLAND NON-COMMERCIAL FISHING FORUM’S EIGHTH MEETING

Venue: Copthorne Hotel

Paihia

Bay of Islands

Time/Date: Wednesday 22 August 2007

16:00-20:00

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Present:

John Chibnall, Graeme Heapy, Paul Batten, Simon Howard, Des Subritzky, Ron Fenwick, Doug McColl, Jeremy Helson (MFish, Wellington) Murray Bruges, Andrew McCulley, Ian Ferguson (MFish Auckland).

Apologies:

 John Holdsworth, Darren Edwards (MFish, Whangarei), Geoff Stone, John Taunton-Clark.

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Previous Meeting Summary/Actions:

Summary from June 6th - Actions addressed:

Broadbill Swordfish: Ian noted that the previous meeting had raised concerns about the impact of introducing broadbill swordfish into the quota management system (QMS). Ian advised that the current TAC was 885 tonnes and that NZ landings have not reached the level of the TAC since it was set. Also that total catches of the broadbill swordfish stock in the South Pacific are 26,000 tonnes, so the NZ quota limit is just a fraction of that. New Zealand is currently working with other countries to set an overall quota for the broadbill swordfish stock in the South Pacific.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) process (Three Kings specifically): Ian had contacted the Department of Conservation (DoC) who advised that there were no existing plans for a marine reserve around the Three Kings Islands. However, as the Three Kings Islands area was a biogeographic region under the MPA policy, some form of marine protected area would probably be established there at some point. If this happened, it would be subject to extensive consultation with interested parties, including recreational fishers.

The forum was seeking new members. Ron Fenwick has joined the group as a recreational fisher. Ron fishes both coasts in the Kaitaia area.

Marine Protected Area’s - Draft Classification and Protection Standard

Jeremy Helson, MFish, Wellington

Jeremy presented a PowerPoint presentation summarising the Marine Protected Area Draft Classification and Protection Standard.

The geological isolation, range and complexity of habitats, and number of major oceans currents that influence New Zealand have created diverse marine communities

Marine biodiversity is among the great taonga (treasures) of Aotearoa / New Zealand. The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000) requires action to be taken to protect marine biological diversity. The objective of MPA policy is to develop a network of MPAs that is comprehensive and representative of New Zealand’s marine habitats and ecosystems.

MPA Principles:

• MPAs should be designated based on a consistent approach to classification of habitats and ecosystems

• Adverse impacts on existing users of the marine environment should be minimised in establishing MPAs

• One marine reserve for each habitat

• The special relationship between the Crown and Māori will be provided for, including kaitiakitanga, customary use and matauranga Māori

• The management tools used to establish MPAs should be consistent, enforceable and secure in the long term

• Best available information will be taken into account in decision-making

• Decision-making on management actions will be guided by a precautionary approach

MPA Planning:

A regional approach will be taken through community-based forums. The MPA network is being designed to be inclusive and transparent. Regional Marine Protection Planning Forums will be established to identify potential areas for the establishment of MPAs and decide on appropriate levels of protection within these areas. These forums will consist of people from each sector, including recreational fishers, with strong links to their relevant region who can bring their views to the forum. DoC and MFish will assist the forums with interpretation of the classification system and protection standard and will provide information and support to each forum.

Classification:

Jeremy advised that two approaches of marine classification were considered, one based on physical characteristics, the other on biological information. A technical workshop was held to seek expert advice on these classification approaches, which found that the biological information is incomplete and inconsistent. Therefore the MPA classification approach will use physical information that influences biology. The classification defines “habitat and ecosystems” for implementing the MPA policy.

Protection Standard:

The protection standard sets out the ‘outcome’ we want to achieve for every MPA site in NZ that is: the marine environment is in a healthy and functioning state. For a site to be a MPA, human activities which pose a foreseeable threat need to be identified and managed through the selection of appropriate management tools.

The Protection Standard applies to new and existing management tools such as existing marine reserves. Existing closed areas will be considered under the MPA policy.

Discussion:

Simon: Wanted clarification on whose project this is. Jeremy confirmed that it was a joint MFish and Department of Conservation (DoC) project. Raised concerns about runoff issues in the Bay. Jeremy confirmed that the policy would take into account pollutants, but this then comes under the resource management act which is a local and regional council issue.

Simon: Clarification was sought about the size of the areas, and the possibility of the areas to overlap areas of fisheries, rather than focusing entirely on a habitat based system. There was a concern that taking one reserve per habitat type could result in reduced fishing grounds, and a large number of reserves. Simon also expressed a fear that DoC could end up with 10% of the coastline locked up in marine reserves. Jeremy confirmed that there would be regional based forums to discuss the issues of MPAs.

Simon: The proposed MPA structure will be the basis for future planning, and as such you will get to have a say in that planning. Once the MPA system comes in then you can put forward areas to protect. The Cape Brett area being a good example of an area which may require protection.

Paul: Queried why the proposed MPA areas do not match the existing fisheries management areas? The current proposal would involve different MPAs overlapping different areas of fisheries management, but would prefer if they could match. Jeremy explains that biology and habitat factors were used for the MPA classification rather than existing management areas. However submissions suggesting different areas will be taken into account when final classifications are decided on.

Paul: Asked if you were to trawl through a MPA for pelagic species it is unlikely to have any effect on the habitat, so why could you be stopped from doing so, if the basis for the MPA is to protect the marine habitat? Jeremy agreed that pelagic trawling for fish would not affect the habitat. He advised that the rules and regulations need to be looked at for MPAs and that there are different options for the selection of areas of MPAs. It would be important to have input from non commercial interests.

Paul: How are you going to take into account currently protected areas, such as cable or ammo dumping grounds? Jeremy suggested that they would be looking at incorporating these areas.

Graeme: Is the area of Great Barrier Island suggested as a MPA or marine reserve? Jeremy advised that this was under consideration.

Graeme: If an area is not an MPA and damage is being caused by fishing operations in that area, what would happen? Jeremy advised that existing fishing activities would be considered when establishing a MPA and, if fishing activities would cause damage within a MPA, then it is likely that they would not be permitted. Outside of an MPA, Jeremy advised that the impacts of fishing would continue to be managed through existing MFish policies and regulations.

All members discussed a concern with the MPAs being used as a tool for putting in place marine reserves. Members were concerned that once a MPA was in place then half the work was done for that area to become a marine reserve. There was open concern at the role DoC had in the MPA process with some members expressing mistrust in them. Concern was raised that the regulations were too vague and that different interpretations of the regulations could be used by DoC to have a MPA changed to a marine reserve.

All members agreed that as a forum there was a need to put forward a submission on the MPA draft. The short time period (6 weeks) available before submissions must be submitted was a point of concern, as was the need for the submission to be professional. The weighting of the submission was debated, but Jeremy explained that if the same submission is received from several people then it would be treated as a single submission but the weighting of the submission would be appropriate for the number of people who submitted it. The members identified the need to consult with other groups who will be putting forward a submission, and the need to obtain copies of other submissions to gain parallels between groups.

Member Updates

• John Chibnall: Fishing has been very poor, especially around full moon. Has been “missing in action” over the last 6 months due to ill health.

• Graeme Heapy: Recently had a successful day Hapuka fishing with 7 others, caught 9 good size fish in a day. Russell area has some good-sized fish around. Praised the quota management system’s (QMS) management of crayfish. Had noticed abundant crayfish, all “egg-bearing”, which he attributed to the QMS. Noticed less commercial crayfish fishing around his area. Would like to see bottom trawling stopped as it has in the Hauraki Gulf as a possible option to improve snapper fisheries. Suggests that the snapper fisheries have been improved in the Hauraki Gulf since trawling has ceased. Also raised concerns about area depletion caused by sustained commercial fishing in a localised area.

• Paul Batten: In Mangawhai, fish weights and numbers are both down. There is a noticeable lack of sharks in the area, also kingfish numbers were lower. Was a good year for Marlin. Complained of gill nets in use around the Mangawhai area. Alluded to the fact that fishing effort had remained constant but the fish numbers and size were both down in the Bream Bay/Hen and Chickens Islands area. Concerned about a new subdivision going into the Te Arai area, where 1000 new sections are planned. No boat ramp is proposed for the subdivision so is concerned it will have an effect on local fisheries at Mangawhai being the closest boat ramp.

• Simon Howard: Snapper fishing has been good, Kahawai plentiful, which could show that the restrictions might be working. Tarakihi catches are unheard of at the moment. Lots of juvenile Kingfish around.

• Des Subritzky: The Bay of Islands is not in too bad condition. The Kaipara Harbour has seen flounder fisheries down. There have been a few gurnard and a few snapper around. John Dory are around but are not in great numbers. Concerned with mullet disappearing from around the harbour. Mullet used to be abundant in the Kaipara Harbour pre 1970-80, since then commercial fishing has “hammered” the fishery. Would like to see a return to having an abundance of Kahawai. Ian and Murray explained that fishing to maximum sustainable yield (MSY) may not produce the abundance of fish of 30-40 years ago, but it is sustainable. Des also agreed with the need to close fisheries when fish are spawning.

• Ron Fenwick: Patchy fishing in general, but has noticed an abundance of gurnard of eastern beaches. Has never caught so much gurnard, where he would previously have been catching snapper, he is now getting a high proportion of gurnard. Complained of over fishing of long liners during the breeding season for snapper. Suggested the possibility of closing the commercial snapper fishery during spawning season. Wants to stop fishing over that period and suggests that non commercial fishers would not be opposed to the idea if commercial fishers would comply.

• Doug McColl: Doubtless Bay is in not too bad condition. There have been a few good kingfish around, especially after the recent storm. Snapper fishing off Tokerau Bay has produced 4-6kg fish.

MFish Updates

MFish provided updates on:

National Recreational Forum meeting

Murray explained to the forum that MFish was intending to hold a national recreational forum meeting in mid-late November in either Wellington or Napier. This meeting was to discuss the performance of the forums and any necessary improvements, and to discuss national recreational issues of interest to all forums. MFish would be seeking two members from each forum to attend, and would pay travel and accommodation costs associated with attendance.

John Holdsworth and Graeme Heapy were nominated to attend the National Recreational Forum Meeting, with Paul Batten to act as standby should either be unable to attend.

Fisheries Plans- Northland Scallop Fisheries and West Coast finfish

Ian and Murray advised that fisheries plans were MFish’s new tool for involving stakeholders from all sectors in setting goals and management measures for New Zealand’s fisheries. The first plans to be developed in the northern region are Northland Scallops and North-West Finfish. More details on these plans will be provided in due course.

Graeme Heapy and John Chibnall expressed an interest in the Northland Scallops Fisheries Plan

Des Subritzky expressed an interest in the NW Finfish Fisheries Plan, as did Ron Fenwick.

Oceans Policy

Murray noted that Oceans Policy is no longer on hiatus, and a paper entitled “Improving the regulation of environmental effects in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone” has just been released.

Shared Fisheries

Ian advised that work was ongoing on this policy and there was no new information to provide at this time.

Kahawai

Ian advised that the Crown had applied for a stay on implementing the court’s ruling, pending the upcoming appeal. This stay has been granted, and current catch limits apply until after the appeal. The appeal process is scheduled to begin in February.

TAC reviews

Tarakihi 1, School Shark 1, North Island Eels: Ian advised that consultations on these proposals had ended and responses were being considered. Advice would be provided to the Minister in the next few weeks and any decisions would come into force on 1 October 2007.

West Coast Scallop season and Kaipara stalling

Ian advised that consultations on these proposals were due to end on Friday 24 August.

Compliance

Darren Edwards was unable to attend the meeting. Therefore no updates were discussed.

Discussion

Graeme: In response to Murray’s point about dead scallops at the end of last season being pulled up in Bream Bay. Pointed out that recreational fishers are unlikely to be affected due to the depth.

Simon: Asked if we were able to find out why scallops are dying? Murray explained that the research had not been done, and that we do not know why they die, but the fishery is managed in recognition of this. Ian noted that even if you did find out why, the knowledge may not enable us to manage the fishery any differently. Therefore there is a risk that any research expenditure may not produce significant benefits.

Doug: The Doubtless Bay scallop fishery used to be abundant, but now its not, do you know why the scallops have not returned? Murray stated that it is not known why scallops are less abundant in the Spirits Bay region than they were ten years ago. Murray noted that scallop beds in Northland and elsewhere often undergo major changes in abundance, and these changes are generally unpredictable.

Paul: Wondered if there is a way of recording number of fish/tonnage information for Broadbill? Ian advised that he would look into this.

Graeme and Ron both pointed out that sharks had been removed from their local fishing competitions, Paul suggested that was due to a general lack of sharks to be caught. Ian advised that consultation respondents had informed MFish that school shark was an important species for many recreational fishers. Many targeted the species for in competitions, and school shark are the largest fish many younger fishers have ever caught.

Graeme: The deemed value system needs to be amended, suggested that fishers should be allowed to catch over their ACE once but not allowed to keep fishing over it and taking deemed values.

John: If deemed value is too high then dumping will occur, suggested the possibility of taking off the next year’s quota as an option. Ian and Murray to report back on MFish’s position on this option.

Des: Wanted to know what is being done about the problem of set net stalling in the Kaipara. Ian advised that consultation on changes to the set net stalling regulation is nearly complete and the Minister has taken an interest in the issue.

Review of Forum

The forum would still like to seek new members. Māori representation would be important, but have had difficulties previously. Some forum members felt that Māori who had attended previously did not feel that the forum was suited to their needs, and have not come since.

Future meetings were seen as important, and that progress had been made from previous “talkfests”. The forum expressed optimism that MFish representatives would be more open to ideas in future.

The forum identified the need to associate better with other forums and find common ground. They noted that local issues were of most importance to the forum and that central government tended to focus on larger-scale issues.

Actions:

• The forum members are to seek new members for the forum. In particular finding a Māori representative to join the forum.
• MFish to report back to forum about closing the snapper fishery during spawning
• MFish to report back on MFish’s position on the option of taking catch off the following year’s quota when a stock is over-caught.
• The forum members, as representatives of their local areas, are to look to putting forward submissions on the MPA draft classification and protection standard and on the set-net stalling consultation.

Next meeting:

Time/ date: late November

Location: Whangarei