WEST COAST REGIONAL RECREATIONAL FORUM
13th August 2007 at MFish Auckland 3.00pm to 8.00pm
Present:
Ian Bright, Richard Fanselow, Eve Oatley, Sarah Omundsen (all MFish), Sheryl Hart, Stuart Hogg and Stuart Cameron.
Apologies:
John Forrest, Allan Jones, Alan Moore, Trish Rea, Keith Snow, and Bernie Ward.
DRAFT SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
1. RESPONSE TO MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
• A glossary of MFish terms was provided to Forum members.
• Determining formal chairperson for Forum – to be discussed at next meeting when more Forum members will be present.
2. COMPLIANCE MATTERS
Compliance staff provided an update of activities for the region.
Concerns were raised about marlin being transferred at sea and landed in Australia. MFish noted that most of the large longline vessels had observers on board and that any trips out to the EEZ would be visible in vessel monitoring system reports. MFish agreed to look into the concerns.
Forum members queried whether paua size limits in some north west areas could be decreased due to localised stunted populations. MFish acknowledged that paua are smaller in some areas, but that regionally different size limits would open up poaching risks for the species.
Forum members noted that the scallop season change on the north east coast had caused significant concerns amongst the recreational sector. Members acknowledged these concerns had not been anticipated when supporting the change, and requested MFish review the effectiveness of the change after two years of implementation.
3. FISHERIES PLANS
MFish advised that the North Island West Coast Finfish plan would be the first fisheries plan to be developed with stakeholders on the West Coast. MFish will help develop management objectives for the west coast finfish fishery with stakeholders and tangata whenua through a “Fisheries Plans Advisory Group”.
MFish outlined the purpose of the advisory group and advised it will be established by MFish in the next few months. The advisory group will include about 20 representatives from the recreational sector, commercial sector and tangata whenua and will be facilitated by MFish.
Three recreational representatives for the North Island west coast will be invited to participate. It is expected that the three representatives will include one member from the West Coast Recreational Forum, one from the Northland Recreational Forum and one from the South West Recreational Forum.
Costs of attending the advisory group meetings are likely to be covered by MFish. Significant concerns were raised about the capacity of recreational fishers to participate in the advisory group. Forum members work and already have to take time off work to attend Forum meetings. Members requested that a sitting fee be provided for attending advisory group meetings. In addition it was requested that the meetings should be held on weekends.
MFish requested that the Forum nominate a member to represent the west coast North Island recreational fishers on the advisory group. Sheryl Hart expressed an interest and Stuart Hogg supported her as the representative. Given that only three members were present it was agreed that nominations be held via email.
Actions:
• MFish will update the Forum as the West Coast North Island Finfish Plan progresses.
• MFish will initiate an email discussion about the nomination of a Forum member to sit on the West Coast North Island Finfish plan advisory group.
4. SHARED FISHERIES UPDATE
MFish advised that the Minster of Fisheries has the final advice on the Shared Fisheries Policy. The Minster is expected to go to Cabinet with a decision on by the end of August. The final advice paper will be available once a decision is made.
5. SUSTAINABILITY AND REGULATORY ROUNDS
Submissions have been received on the October 2008 Sustainability Round Initial Position Papers (IPPs), including the review of the TAR 1 total allowable catch (TAC), TACs for North Island eel stocks, and setting the SCH 1 TAC. MFish is preparing its final advice on these proposals for a 1 October implementation.
MFish advised that the following Initial Position Papers in this year’s regulatory round that are relevant to the North Island are currently being consulted on:
• Review of Kaipara Harbour set net stalling.
• Review of recreational scallop season in FMA 9.
MFish advised the Forum that the consultation period for the regulatory round closes on the 24th August.
The Forum requested an extension for submissions on the regulatory round until the 3rd September.
Actions:
• MFish to request an extension for regulatory round submissions until the 3rd September.
6. KAHAWAI DECISION
MFish advised that a stay on the High Court decision to review the TAC for kahawai has been granted until the appeals by the recreational and commercial sectors are completed.
7. MARINE PROTECTED AREA DRAFT CLASSIFICATION AND PROTECTION STANDARD
MFish advised that the document “Marine Protected Area Draft Classification and Protection Standard” has been published for consultation. The document outlines MFish’s strategy for advancing the work of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) policy. The document seeks feedback from stakeholders and the community by 31 August 2007.
Concerns were raised by the Forum that the public should have been informed before the draft document was completed so that they could contribute with some knowledge to the consultation process.
Forum members were concerned that the MPA process had become political and that areas would be made into reserves for the wrong reasons. A more holistic approach to designating MPAs was needed.
8. ROLE OF THE FORUM
MFish asked the Forum how it saw its role. Forum members stated that more action was needed by MFish around the questions and concerns brought to the table at Forum meetings. The Forum stated that it needs to see outcomes and results in response to its concerns.
The Forum also noted its concern that meetings were too focused on MFish just talking at members. Members want to be more involved in setting the agenda and driving discussions.
Members requested they be kept up to date with management issues via emails, and that summary information be provided for more significant issues (eg. the MPA document).
It was noted that the Terms of Reference for Forum members stated that members would primarily represent the views of recreational fishers on proposals for fisheries management change in their area of interest or nationally. Members said that they would like to be representative of the recreational sector but they do not have the time or the resources to do it. There are not enough Forum members to represent the whole recreational sector and it would be difficult to get the mandate to speak for everyone. Rather, Forum members said they saw themselves as a group of advisors to MFish and a sounding board for fisheries management issues.
It was agreed that a broader range of members would improve representation on the west coast particularly members from Muriwai, Kaipara Harbour and Kawhia. Members also requested an invitation be extended to Iwi Forum members to participate in the Forum, as participants have many overlapping issues.
Actions:
• MFish to approach new Forum members from Muriwai, Kaipara Harbour and Kawhia.
• MFish to extend invitation to West Coast North Island Iwi Forums to send representatives to the recreational Forum.
9. MAUI'S DOLPHIN
MFish described the consultation process and the regional meetings that had taken place in May and June 2007. The general consensus at the meetings had been that Maui’s dolphins have not been seen in the harbours or been caught in set nets. The only exception was in the Kaipara Harbour where fishers said that they had seen dolphins in the harbour entrance.
MFish thanked participants for assisting with arranging the regional meetings.
MFish advised the Forum that the draft Threat Management Plan on the options to protect Hector’s/Maui’s dolphins would be published at the end of August. The consultation period will be six weeks and submissions are requested. MFish encouraged all members to look at the draft Threat Management Plan and would send out hard copies to all Forum members
10. NATIONAL RECREATIONAL FORUM HUI
MFish advised the Forum that planning is underway for a National Recreational Forum Hui in November 2007. This hui will include two members from each recreational forum in New Zealand. The purpose of the hui is to talk about what works and what doe not with recreational forums, and to talk about national issues.
The Forum stated that the hui is a good idea but should include all Forum members not just two. MFish stated that resources were not available to fund all Forum members to attend the hui.
The Forum requested that the hui be held on 17 and 18 November 2007.
Actions:
• MFish will initiate email discussion about two Forum representatives to participate in the national forum hui.
11. ISSUES RAISED BY FORUM MEMBERS
Concerns were raised about the sustainability stocks particularly TRE 7, SNA 8 and tuna.
Actions:
• MFish to provide updates on current management and status of the TRE 7, SNA 8 and tuna stocks.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING:
Date: (to be confirmed)
Location: Ministry of Fisheries, 608 Rosebank Road Avondale