WEST COAST Regional Recreational Forum
14th May
2007 at MFish Auckland 3.30pm to 7.30pm
Present:
Richard Fanselow, Sarah Omundsen, Eve Oatley, Ian Bright, Brendon Mikkelsen (all MFish), Allan Jones, Keith Snow and Trish Rea.
Apologies:
Stuart Hogg, John Forrest, Sheryl Hart, Alan Moore, Stuart Cameron and Bernie Ward.
DRAFT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
1. Response to matters arising from previous minutes
- The Terms of Reference and first meeting notes for the Forum have been provided
- A glossary of MFish terms is being compiled and will be circulated upon completion.
- Determining formal chairperson for Forum – to be discussed at next meeting when more Forum members will be present.
2. Compliance matters
The recent changes to regulations and were discussed.
Compliance staff provided an update of activities for the region.
Issues surrounding the “Size Does Count” fish ruler were discussed. MFish is no longer issuing the “Size Does Count” ruler as several incidents have occurred where it was shown to be inaccurate.
The crayfish/scallop/paua measurer was discussed. Forum members advised that the device is ambiguous and may result in people measuring crayfish the wrong way.
The Forum suggested that instructions for use of the measurer should be printed in the back of the device. The picture on the front of the holder instructs the user incorrectly. This should also be updated. The Forum proposed that a simpler tool should be designed ie, with a gap the correct width, which would be better than having a gap and a ridge behind the tool.
Actions:
· The Forum sought that the Ministry:
- Re-design the crayfish measurer with the correct gap width.
- Include instructions for use of the crayfish measurer on the reverse side of the crayfish/scallop/paua measurer.
- Use the recreational forums as test beds for new regulations and devices.
3. Shared fisheries update
MFish updated the Forum on progress in Shared Fisheries and stated that advice will be provided to the Minister by June, with the intent of a decision by July/August.
The Forum was concerned that the timeframe for consultation was too narrow and it was too difficult to produce complete submissions. The Forum stated that the discussion document did not have enough information, it was not specific enough and it may have had a hidden agenda.
MFish assured the Forum that there was no hidden agenda but that the issues were very complicated and information was limited to some extent to keep the document concise. MFish said there had been a large number of submissions (610) and a significant proportion of these were very long and complex.
The Forum suggested that MFish present such discussion papers publicly, so that the public can better understand the issues and the policy review process.
The Forum was concerned that there was no second consultation phase and that the high level framework would be taken forward without more consultation. MFish accepted that these aspects of the process were not ideal.
Actions:
· The Forum sought that the Ministry use the Shared Fisheries process as a case study to improve its communications processes to increase participation.
4. Fish plans
MFish outlined the purpose of fisheries plans and noted that delivering fisheries plans is a priority. MFish stated that planning was underway to deliver on these plans and that work has already begun on the documenting the current situation. In July MFish will begin working with stakeholders to progress the highest priority fisheries, with approximately 27 plans to be produced over the next 5 years. The likely candidates for progression in the next financial year are:
· North Island Eels
· Northland Scallops
· North East Shellfish
· Continuation of the Coromandel scallops closure
MFish will write to stakeholders outlining the next stage in the fisheries plan process.
5. Kahawai s decision
MFish advised that the kahawai decision is being appealed by both the commercial and recreational sectors. MFish is presently waiting to get consensus from both sectors to get a stay on the TAC review. However the TAC review will proceed until a decision is made.
MFish advised that the Initial Position Paper will likely be sent out for consultation on 14th June.
6. Maui’s Dolphin
MFish outlined the Treat Management Plan process that begun last year and has been the focus of regional stakeholder engagement. MFish circulated the Discussion Document.
MFish advised they had been to Raglan and Aotea for consultation with fishers and will be going to Kawhia, Kaipara, Port Waikato and Manakau. The meetings are to ask fishers if they have seen Maui’s dolphin and how a ban on netting would affect them.
The forum raised concerns about accuracy of the data being used in the Discussion Document. Further, the Forum was concerned that Maui’s dolphin is a separate issue to Hector’s dolphin and should not be swept along with issues which are specific to the east coast South Island. East coast South Island and Manakau netting practices can not be compared. The Forum stated that the Manakau fishery could be managed at minimal risk to Maui’s dolphin but a different time frame would be needed than in this Treat Management Plan.
The Forum stated that a Maui’s dolphin have never been caught in a set net set in the Manukau Harbour. In the Manakau Harbour people fish on the fringes of the harbour - not where dolphins go.
The Forum noted that MFish could consult with some of the fishers on the Manakau if they went out to the peninsular. It would be difficult to consult with all the different groups of fishers on the Manakau.
MFish noted a draft Threat Management Plan will be prepared following the regional engagement process and is likely to be released for consultation in August. The Minister’s decision will be applied in December.
Actions:
· Trish Rea and Keith Snow to assist with arranging meetings in the Manakau Harbour.
· MFish to note concerns of the Forum on Maui’s dolphin issues.
7. Deemed value
The Ministry’s new Deemed Value Standard was circulated to members.
The Forum raised concerns about the use of deemed values. The members are of the opinion that allowing fish to be taken under the deemed value process is not sustainable and the fishery and non-commercial sectors will lose out. The members are of the opinion that any fish taken commercially above the level of the TACC should be subtracted from the next years TACC.
The Forum requested further information on last year’s deemed value review.
Actions:
· MFish to update on last year’s deemed value review.
8. Fisheries for review
MFish advised that the following issues are likely to be consulted on in this year’s sustainability round:
· Review of TAC for tarakihi (TAR1).
· Review of TAC for school shark (SCH1).
· Review of recreational scallop season in FMA 9.
· Review TAC of North island eel.
· A survey to support the Coromandel scallops in-season review will commence 14 May.
· Review of Kaipara Harbour set net stalling.
MFish noted that requests for Adaptive Management Plans were no longer being accepted.
9. Kaipara stalling – update on review
The regulation that permits stalling of nets in the Kaipara harbour will be reviewed in the 2007 regulatory round. The Initial Position Paper is being prepared at present and will be available for consultation by the end of June 2007.
9. Fisheries plenary update
The key issues at the plenary discussions will be hoki and kahawai. The kahawai discussions are to occur on 17 May.
9. Issues raised by forum members
- Broadbill Swordfish – concerns were raised that vessels were targeting broadbill swordfish. MFish noted that broadbill swordfish can be targeted as it is managed under the quota management system.
- Concerns were raised about black marlin being transferred at sea and landed in Australia. MFish said that there are observers on many of the large longliners and that it would be very difficult to transfer fish at sea in New Zealand waters. MFish however does hope to increase observer coverage and compliance is aware of the black marlin concerns.
- Concerns were raised that crew on longliners were weighing down seabirds that had been caught and shooting orcas. MFish noted the concerns and will raise the issue with compliance.
Action:
· MFish to raise issue of sea bird and mammal mortality with compliance.
11. Role of the Forum
It was agreed that the role of the forum would be discussed at the next meeting when more members would be present. Handouts on the role of the forum were circulated to members. The Forum was directed to the MFish website for more information.
11. Any other business
Torpedo fishing - The Forum discussed the torpedo fishing method. Members expressed concerns that it was pushing surf casters out because all the fish were being caught by torpedoes. Other members responded by saying that it was probably not the torpedoes that were causing the lack of fish. MFish suggested a Code of Practice may be useful to address the issue
Information on non-commercial fishing - The Forum asked if there were any moves by MFish to get better information on the amount of non-commercial fishing. MFish said it was waiting for the Shared Fisheries outcomes and that they may include new initiatives to obtain this kind of information. MFish said there would also be good information from kaitiaki and customary permits.
Next meeting:
Date: (to be confirmed)
Location: Ministry of Fisheries, 608 Rosebank Road Avondale
Items for next agenda