WEST COAST Regional Recreational Forum  

 

 

Present:

 

Trish Rea, Mark Franklin, Peter Sellers, Allan Jones, Ben Challis, Sheryl Hart, Stewart Hogg, Ricky Butt, Ross Webber, Stuart Cameron, Ian Bright, Greg Keys, Stephanie Hill, Sarah Omundsen, Richard Fanselow, Ian Ferguson, Laura Mitchell.

 

Apologies: 

 

 

DRAFT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION

 

1.         Member’s discussion (MFish not present)

           

            Members met between 3.30 and 5pm.

 

2.         Election of chairperson

           

            Members present elected Trish Rea as chairperson

 

3 .          Matters arising from previous minutes

           

MFish confirmed that Ian Ferguson had sent information regarding the abundance of rays and skates to members. Sheryl Hart noted there have been more sightings of orcas in Raglan Harbour and that they are likely to be coming in to feed on rays and skate.

 

Minutes were accepted.

 

4.         Report on ongoing compliance issues

 

Ian Bright (MFish District Compliance Manager Auckland South) and Greg Keys (MFish District Compliance Manager Auckland North) gave an overview of hot spots for compliance over the 2007/08 summer. These included Port Waikato (grey mullet), Cornwallis (scallops) and Clarks Beach (cockles).

 

The change in regulation to prohibit stalling of set nets by commercial fishers in the Kaipara harbour from 1 April 2008 was raised and clarified. This does not alter the regulations for recreational fishers who are not permitted to use this method.

 

Sheryl Hart queried the requirement that scallops be measured at the first available opportunity.  In the Bay of Islands over summer, compliance officers had informed her that scallops must be measured on the seafloor, even when snorkelling.  MFish advised that the courts have ruled that the obligation to sort and measure arises when you have legally taken your fish. For scallops, the first reasonable opportunity for doing this is generally on the seafloor when placed in a catch bag.

 

Sheryl Hart proposed that the regulations be changed to specify that the first opportunity for measuring scallops and crayfish is upon return to the boat.  MFish advised that when reviewing the regulations in 2005 specifically for this issue, problems had been encountered trying to define where measuring could reasonably take place.  Rather than amend the regulations it was resolved that a code of practice would be developed to ensure that compliance was nationally consistent. This code of practice has not yet been completed as it was very difficult to develop guidelines for all possible situations. Sheryl Hart requested that the regulation be reviewed by MFish again to ensure that measuring scallops and crayfish on the boat after diving is allowed.

 

Peter Sellers enquired whether there were any compliance issues with the set net ban area at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour. Ian Bright responded that offenders had largely been in Cornwallis and that offences were mostly due to people not understanding the rules.

 

Mark Franklin raised the issue of staking nets in the southern Manukau Harbour.  He stated that this has been a well known issue for a long time and deserves  increased compliance activity.

 

There was a general discussion on the amount of compliance officers and resources. Ian Bright noted that this summer in Auckland compliance officers were largely absorbed in reacting to the large volume of calls to both the 0800 4 POACHER line and directly to the Auckland MFish Office reporting illegal fishing.

 

Ben Challis advised that the lifeguards at Bethells Beach had witnessed more shellfish issues this summer than ever before and that there were a number of altercations on the beach in regard to them, with no visible MFish presence. Stewart Hogg suggested greater co-operation between lifeguards and MFish compliance. MFish acknowledged this as a good idea, but advised that the logistics of providing enough support posed a barrier to such an initiative. Members resolved that the forum need to formally submit their support to the Ministry for increased resources for compliance.  

 

The regulation prohibiting the use of lassos for taking crayfish was queried. MFish advised that lassos fall within the legal definition of a rock lobster pot, and so are not expressly permitted in the regulations. MFish explained that it is looking to review the definition of rock lobster pot and that this should hopefully clarify the lasso issue.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to update the Forum on progress with the rock lobster pot definition Review.

 

5.         Highly migratory species fisheries plan

Stephanie Hill (from the MFish Highly Migratory Species team) introduced the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Plan, which includes tuna, marlin and swordfish. A resource sheet was distributed to members.

 

The HMS Fisheries Plan Advisory Group had its first meeting on the 11 February 2008. This is an expert panel that will help to draft the fisheries plan that will then go out for public consultation. Information on the plan and minutes from the first meeting are available under fisheries plans on the MFish website: http://fpcs.fish.govt.nz .

 

Members advised that they had noticed a large depletion in the number of skipjack tuna off the West Coast in the last ten to twenty years which is not consistent with scientific reports.

 

Sheryl Hart noted there would be opposition if the fisheries plan were to propose the commercial take of marlin.

 

Sheryl Hart questioned why kingfish were not included as key species in either the Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Plan or the North-West Finfish Fisheries Plan. MFish responded that it was not a highly migratory species so would not be included in the HMS plan.  However, MFish agreed to review the coverage of kingfish in fisheries plans and add kingfish to the North-West Finfish Fisheries Plan if it is not included in any other plan.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to review the coverage of kingfish in fisheries plans and advise which plan kingfish will be included in.

 

6.         Report back on national recreational hui

 

Sheryl Hart distributed a 4-page report on the national recreational hui, which she attended on 21 November 2007.  Sheryl noted that her report criticised West Coast Regional Forum as lagging behind the other forums because historically few members attended. However, the last two recreational forum meetings, which have taken place since the national hui, have had a much higher attendance which she feels is very positive.

 

The provision for holding 5 meetings each year was queried.  MFish clarified that each regional recreation forum meets four times a year and the fifth meeting was the national hui.

 

Sheryl also advised other members to register with the Department of Conservation as an interested participant to be involved in the marine protected area process.

 

7.         Trawling trials in Hawke’s Bay

      

Trish Rea spoke about the commercial fisher from Napier who has been trialling alternative trawl nets to reduce bycatch and fuel bills. The nets have a square mesh rather than the currently used diamond mesh. Trials to date have resulted in a 95% reduction in contact with the sea floor. The fisher hopes to increase this reduction even further, with more trials. He is also planning to increase the depth of the trials from 500 feet down to 600-700 feet. An article about these trials will be appearing in the International Fishing News.

 

The fisher applied for funding from the Ministry of Fisheries but was not successful. He has however, received funding from the Guardians of the Sea Charitable Trust. Members believed that MFish should be supporting and funding these trials.

Actions:

 

·         MFish to report back to the forum on why funding was not provided for the trawl trials.

 

8.         Kaipara Harbour Study Group Report

           

Ross Webber presented the report Fishing for the Future: A Strategy for the Fisheries of the Kaipara Harbour, which was published by the Kaipara Harbour Sustainable Fisheries Management Study Group in 2003. The report had been submitted by the group to previous Fisheries Ministers Pete Hodgson and David Benson-Pope. Ross briefed the forum on the three year process to develop the strategy, and the large amount of consultation that took place. Ross queried MFish’s response to the strategy and its place in the context of the recently instigated fisheries plans.  

 

Sheryl Hart advised that a strategy plan had also been prepared for Raglan and rejected by MFish because it required more scientific input.

 

Richard Fanselow advised of the hui that he attended on 21 February 2008 by the Kaipara Harbour Sustainability Management Group, which attempted to devise some long-term planning goals for the catchment of the Kaipara Harbour. These goals included riparian planting to improve water quality, as has occurred in the Whaingaroa Harbour in Raglan.

 

Members raised the possibility that pines planted next to West Coast beaches were damaging toheroa. Members requested that MFish check whether there is any research internationally about the interaction between pine trees and shellfish.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to report back to the forum on how it has responded to the Kaipara Harbour Strategy.

·         MFish to investigate international research about the interaction between pine trees and shellfish.

 

9.         Shared Fisheries update

 

Sarah Omundsen advised that one of the decisions taken by Cabinet on Shared Fisheries was to consult with charter sector representatives on the introduction of a reporting regime for recreational fishing charter vessel operators.

 

Regional meetings are currently being held with charter operators to talk about how a reporting system could be developed and introduced.Meetings were held in February in Havelock and Christchurch and further meetings will be held around the North Island in March.

 

The formal proposal is expected be released for widespread consultation towards the middle of 2008 and submissions will be invited.

 

10.       Maui’s dolphin update

     

Richard Fanselow advised that the final decision on the Hector’s and Maui’s dolphin threat management plan had been deferred by the Minister until March.

 

Members expressed apprehension over the decision. MFish offered to report back on the decision at the next West Coast Regional Recreational Forum meeting.

 

Members queried the use of observers on vessels and requested information on:

·         The current observer coverage in the west coast of the North Island including the number of days, the number of dollars allocated and the percentage of vessels with cameras.

·         The statutory requirement/ standard of observer coverage and comparison with what is actually occurring.

 

MFish advised that there is no fixed standard for observer coverage and that it is something that is negotiated through the research process.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to include discussion on the Maui’s Dolphin threat management plan decision on the agenda for the next meeting.

·         MFish to report back on the current observer coverage on the west coast of the North Island.

 

11.       North- West Finfish Fisheries Plan

 

Ian Ferguson advised that the first meeting of the North-West Finfish Fisheries Plan Advisory Group is being held in Auckland on 28 February 2008.  Sheryl Hart and Trish Rea will be members of this advisory group and will report back to the forum at next meeting.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to put item for Sheryl Hart and Trish Rea to report back on the progress of the Fish Plan Advisory Group on the agenda for next meeting.

 

12.       2008 sustainability (TAC) and regulation reviews

 

Issues put forward by members of the forum for MFish to consider included:

 

·         Regulations on divers measuring scallops/ crayfish

·         Renewal of disabled permits

·         SNA 8 and TRE 7 TAC reviews – MFish advised that research is to be conducted on these stocks in 2008/09 and TAC reviews would best be undertaken when the new information from these research projects was available.

·         Introducing a commercial size limit for gurnard – MFish advised that this is unlikely to benefit the sustainability of the gurnard fishery.

 

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to report back on what issues have been proposed for the 2008 sustainability and regulation reviews.

·         MFish to advise forum of research planning rounds for stocks – how certain stocks have regular scientific research carried out which can then lead to catch limit reviews.

·         Members to advise MFish of any suggestions for the October 2008 sustainability round or the April 2009 regulatory round by 1 May 2008.

 

13.       Any other business

 

• Members queried the outcome of the deemed value review and MFish advised that the minister had not made a final decision.

 

• Members asked for an update on the recreational harvest estimate survey project. MFish advised that no tenders were made for the project and that the project will re-submitted for tender this year.

 

• Trish Rea advised that she would be travelling to Wellington on 26 February to attend the Kahawai legal challenge appeal decision.