WEST COAST Regional Recreational Forum  

 

 

Present:

 

Trish Rea, Mark Franklin, Allan Jones, Sheryl Hart, Ross Webber, Stuart Cameron, Stewart Hogg, Ian Bright, Greg Keys, Sarah Omundsen, Ian Ferguson, Tracey Smith, Laura Mitchell.

 

Apologies: 

 

 

DRAFT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION

 

1.         Member’s discussion (MFish not present)

           

            Members met between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

 

2 .          Matters arising from previous minutes

           

·         Stuart Cameron requested copies of maps showing trawl positions on the west coast of the North Island as he had not received them. MFish agreed to circulate among members again.

 

·         MFish advised that they had tried to contact the fisher who was conducting trawl trials in the Hawkes Bay, but that he had been at sea. MFish has not been able to find any paperwork relating to applications for funding for these trials and are trying to clarify whether a formal proposal was made.

 

·         MFish advised that the following stocks are likely to be reviewed in the 1 October 2008 ‘sustainability round’:

-Orange roughy (ORH 3B);  

-All bluenose (BNS) stocks (BNS 1, 2, 3, 7, 8).

 

3.         Report on ongoing compliance issues

 

Ian Bright (MFish District Compliance Manager Auckland South) and Greg Keys (MFish District Compliance Manager Auckland North) gave an update on compliance issues.

 

A recent recreational roadblock at Whatipu was discussed. The rate of shellfish offending identified at this roadblock was disappointingly high.

 

Members discussed compliance strategies. Issues brought up included the benefits and limits of education, the need for personal education rather than pamphlets- particularly for new immigrants, the displacement of offenders created by targeting local hot-spots and the return of offending after targeting has stopped.

 

MFish explained that there was an increasing focus on education in schools, members suggested the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre as a good place to undertake education sessions.

 

Members have previously raised concerns about the design of the new rock lobster measure MFish has introduced. Members asked whether the design has been changed to make it less ambiguous. MFish to report back at next meeting.

 

Members asked for an update on the issue of whether divers should be measuring scallops on the sea floor or the boat. MFish is working on a code of practice to guide interpretation of the rules. MFish acknowledged there is a need for consistency across the country in enforcement of the rules, and while district compliance managers try to ensure this, a code of practice will make the interpretation clearer for all parties involved. MFish will attempt to provide a draft for the next recreational forum meeting.

 

MFish reported that compliance officers had attended the 2008 New Zealand Boatshow  May 15- 18. Common topics raised by the public included:

 

-          The use of lassos for taking rock lobster.

-          How to become a fishery officer.

-          Difficulties with the crayfish measure.

 

The regulation prohibiting the use of lassos for taking crayfish was discussed at the previous recreational forum meeting. MFish advised that the use of lasso should be clarified by the rock lobster pot regulation which will be reviewed for April 2009. The use of lasso specifically could also be reviewed in the next recreational regulation review which has not been scheduled yet, but is likely to take place after April 2009.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to report back on changes to the rock lobster measure

·         MFish to provide draft recreational code of practice for scallop harvesting. 

 

4.         Maui’s dolphin update

 

The Minister has received MFish’s final advice on the Hector’s and Maui’s Dolphin Threat Management Plan and that a decision will be made very soon. MFish advised that the options in the Initial Position paper had been varied based on information received during consultation.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to update members on Maui ’s Dolphin decision.

 

 

5.       Kaipara Harbour Study Group Report

 

An overview of how MFish has responded to the Kaipara Harbour Study Group Report was provided.

 

It was decided that the best way to move forward from here was for MFish to sit down with the group and go through the document, working out what issues are still relevant and what needs to be done.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to write letter to chairman of Kaipara Harbour Study Group and arrange to work through the document together.

 

6.       North West Finfish Fisheries Plan update

 

MFish advised that the Fisheries Plan Advisory Group has been making good progress in updating the current information section of the plan. The plan is still in the problem definition stage, but will be progressing to the key stages of objective setting in the next few months.

 

7.         Research planning presentation

 

Ian Ferguson presented the MFish research process 
 

Discussions from the presentation included:

      -How stocks are assessed.

      -The importance of Hapuku to recreational fishers.

      -Decline of recreational catch of trevally in the Manukau.

      -Differences between commercial and recreational catch of trevally.

      -Expense of tagging studies.

 

8.         Any other business

 

·         Trish Rea advised members and MFish of a letter that the Hokianga Accord had sent the Minister on April 18, following a stakeholder meeting on April 10. The letter supported amendments to section 14 of the Fisheries Act 1996. Trish Rea advised that MFish should be looking at amendments to the Act other than section 13 such as section 10 and section 14. No formal response from MFish has been received by the Hokianga Accord yet.  

 

·         Following media coverage in April of the thawing of a colossal squid at Te Papa and a number of interviews with squid expert Dr. Steve O’ Shea, members noted there had been statements made in the media about the over-catch of squid. MFish advised that the squid fishery was managed by the deepwater team in Wellington but asked for questions to take this team.

 

Questions were as follows:

      -Why are the total allowable commercial catch limits for those squid stocks that are significantly under-caught not reviewed as a matter of priority?

      -Is there any science to support what a sustainable catch limit for squid is?

      -Has the role of the squid in the eco-system and effects on the food chain been considered?

      -Have method restrictions been considered in the management of the squid fishery

 

·         Members expressed concern about the increased demand for iron sand that may arise since signing of the free trade agreement with China and the potential impacts for worm beds/ aquatic life.

 

·         Members enquired whether the sources of liver fluke which has been identified in Maui’s dolphin have been looked into. Members suggested that the disease may be transmitted through the food chain from grass carp and mullet eating the snail.

 

Actions:

 

·         MFish to report back on response to letter from Hokianga Accord

·         MFish to provide answers for squid fishery questions.

·         MFish to investigate iron sand issue.

·         MFish to contact DOC about sources of liver fluke.