Recreational fishing survey supports common sense

Embargoed to Noon Monday 2 April 2007

Survey on recreational fishing supports common sense and fairness, says NZ Seafood Industry Council

2 April 2007

The New Zealand seafood industry has released the findings of a Colmar Brunton public opinion survey which shows that New Zealanders eat fish regularly, and favour a common sense and fair-minded approach to managing shared fisheries, says Owen Symmans, New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Chief Executive.

“We thought Kiwis would have a long-term view of what’s good for sustainable fisheries and it seems they do,” Mr Symmans said.

Some of the survey findings include:

• Nearly all (88%) New Zealanders eat fish at least once a month

• Almost half of us (45%) eat fish at least once a week

• Only one quarter of all New Zealanders fished recreationally more than once in the past 12 months

• 25% have never fished recreationally in New Zealand

• 6 out of 10 recreational fishers report that they are satisfied with their catch

• 65% of New Zealanders think that both recreational and commercial fishers should be required to catch less if there is not enough fish to meet demand

• More than half (56%) of the recreational fishers agree

• 85% of New Zealanders think that up to 10 fish per recreational fisher is a reasonable daily allowance and 85% of recreational fishers agree (the current limit is 20 for most finfish)

• 64% of New Zealanders think that it is reasonable to require recreational fishers to record their catch and more than half (55%) of the recreational fishers agree

“The figures are very interesting and suggest that the government proposals are out of step with public views on fisheries management,” Mr Symmans said.

The full report of the Colmar Brunton survey is available at www.seafood.co.nz and click Hot Topics.

ENDS

© Scoop Media