Recreational Forums

Purpose

• Regional recreational fishing forums aim to improve the recreational sector’s participation in fisheries management processes and decisions.

Background

• In 2005, the then Minister of Fisheries indicated he would like to see a number of regional forums established to work with MFish.

• In April 2005, MFish invited nominations for six regional recreational forums covering the following general regions:
• Northland
• Central North Island East
• Central North Island West
• North Island South West
• North Island South East
• Top of the South Island
  
• An existing regional recreational forum operates in the south of the South Island. This forum was retained.
• The 6 new regional recreational fishing forums were approved on 3 August 2005

Objectives

While the timing of the forum meetings is set to coincide with MFish consultation processes, it is not intended that the forums only focus on consultation documents.

It is important that forums operate in a consistent way throughout the country, to:

• Build positive relationships that encourage information sharing
• Improve consultation with the recreational sector
• Enhance recreational fishers’ ability to participate in fisheries management processes
• Help identify regional fisheries management issues