Fisheries Document Has Wrong Focus

The Government’s intention to reallocate some fish quota from the commercial to the recreational sector will undermine the Quota Management System, writes Doug Saunders-Loder.

t should go without saying that any debate about the sharing of one of New Zealand’s most precious and important resources – the fisheries – must focus on the state and sustainability of that resource.

The Government’s discussion document on shared fisheries is in serious danger of ignoring that focus, ultimately to the detriment of all users – customary, commercial and recreational.

When the minister of fisheries announced in early 2006 that he intended to commence talks with recreational, customary and commercial groups about the management of shared fisheries, it was widely welcomed within the commercial sector. We accept the need to recognise the rights of all users of New Zealand’s marine resources.

But the Government’s shared fisheries proposal represents the transfer of existing property rights from one sector to another without having considered a suitable mechanism for the determination of recreational catch rates. With rights come responsibilities and it is vital that any discussion about sharing the fisheries resource ensures that the resource is not unduly affected by any new policies that are introduced.

No one in the New Zealand fishing industry rejects the notion that there can be an improvement in the recognition of all New Zealanders’ fishing rights. Of course “Mum, Dad and the kids” should be able to enjoy a good day’s fishing – I am one of those dads, too. But we must have mechanisms in place that ensure they can continue to enjoy the experience well into the future. To that end, if we are sharing the resource, we need to share the responsibility for its future. We all have to take our turn in measuring what we take, checking how sustainable our activities are and looking at how we’re using the resource.

It is interesting to see the Ministry of Fisheries contention that new policies are needed in order to reduce the level of conflict between the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. This is an over-stated and mischievous attempt by the bureaucracy to initiate spurious debate. It blatantly ignores the fact that there are numerous examples of regional co-operation between recreational, commercial and customary operators working closely together – especially here, in the Nelson-Marlborough region but, most importantly, throughout New Zealand.

Central to this is the need for improved recording of recreational catch and an acknowledgment that with this information, better management outcomes can be achieved. At various regional levels many rock lobster fisheries, Challenger scallop/oyster/ finfisheries and inshore salmon fisheries are managed through agreements between recreational representatives and commercial fisheries managers.

The Ministry of Fisheries should be encouraging these initiatives and assisting with ideas on how we can improve recreational catch instead of driving a wedge between sectors by promoting “conflict” as a national dilemma.

In fact, recent evidence suggests the ministry is actually out of touch with the views of recreational fishers in New Zealand. A Colmar Brunton public opinion survey released this month shows a high percentage of recreational fishers reporting they are satisfied with their catch.

It also found that 65 percent of New Zealanders thought both recreational and commercial fishers should be required to catch less if there was not enough fish to meet demand. Of that percentage, more than half of the recreational fishers agreed. You can see the full results of the survey on www.seafood.co.nz under “hot topics”.

It is ironic that the ministry has called its recent proposal a “discussion document” when it does so little to direct the various parties into meaningful discussions. On the contrary, it takes the line that recreational and customary use is not well served and leads its readers down a path that simply transfers existing property rights. It promotes a value-based philosophy which will most certainly undermine the integrity of the Quota Management System. The document’s “options” look disturbingly like ultimatums.

The New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen’s submission on the Government’s proposals recommends that there be robust and meaningful discussion around some of the key areas in the shared fisheries debate, including.-

Reporting of recreational charter operations:

There need to be statutory measures for the recording of catch by charter operators.

Setting the Total Allowable Catch:

It is unacceptable to adjust the level of TACs without accurate information from recreational and customary sectors. In the absence of accurate catch information the levels become arbitrarily set and this simply undermines the integrity of the Quota Management System.

Estimating relative values of commercial and recreational fishing:

Trying to determine “value” so you can make decisions about “shares” is hugely complicated. It is acknowledged that each sector will receive different values from its share of the fishery. We should recognise and work collectively to improve the value to each of these sectors rather than determining who gets the most value.

The basic right to catch fish:

The discussion document refers to the need to provide the freedom for all New Zealanders to catch a fish. No-one in the commercial sector rejects this, but the discussion document goes on to propose that the minimum tonnage for each stock could be set at 20 percent of the baseline amateur allocation in each fishery. In the absence of accurate catch information this is an entirely arbitrary application and warrants further discussion.

Local area management:

There are many working examples of local area management occurring already. It is a useful tool, but should never be considered without the negotiated agreement of sectors.

Setting and adjusting amateur and commercial allocations:

The Government’s discussion document refers to on-going adjustments and promotes fisheries plans as a vehicle for establishing workable management processes. It promotes direct negotiation between amateur and commercial sectors as being desirable and that this should be considered for the long term.

It is worth repeating that the most important aspect in any “shared fisheries” debate has to be the state of the resource that is to be shared. Accommodating a series of “perceived” rights without giving due consideration to what those rights allow and how they affect the sustainability of our fisheries is simply careless.

Motueka-based Doug Saunders-Loder is president of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen, a national organisation representing the interests of all inshore owner-operators. He chairs both the Challenger finfish and oyster management companies and has been involved with the Quota Management System since its inception in 1986. Mr Saunders-Loder says his two boys “just love to catch a fish” and he appreciates the concept of the “fishing experience”.

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