1 August 2013
New Zealand Angling & Casting Association on Snapper 1 fishery
The options now under consideration for managing the Snapper 1 fishery spanning east Northland, the Hauraki Gulf and the
Bay of Plenty - SNA1 - place responsibility for conserving fish stock solely on members of the public.
“It is absolutely ridiculous to even consider imposing stricter recreational catch limits without fair and reasonable
changes on the commercial sector” says NZACA spokesperson, Jim Yeoman. “The impact of recreational fishing is a drop in
the ocean compared to the damage done by bulk harvesting. Recreational fishers don’t kill massive numbers of juvenile
fish or dump legal sized fish or gut hook undersized fish. Collateral damage and commercial overfishing is the single
biggest problem for SNA1 stock numbers. Cutting the recreational catch does absolutely nothing to address this massive
problem.”
NZACA wholeheartedly endorses the need for more sensible, sustainable fishing practices. We do not however support any
of the three options presented by the Ministry of Primary Industries. Legasea and the NZ Recreational Fishing Council
are doing a fantastic job putting real facts and figures in the public domain. NZACA will be working in close
partnership with them both to seek a more sensible and realistic approach to rebuilding SNA1 fishery stocks.
NZACA member clubs and individual members of the public are strongly urged to voice their opinions on this issue. “Stand
up and be counted. There is a fundamental public right at stake here and you need to guard it and protect it now” says
Jim Yeoman. Submissions must be made before 4pm on Friday 23 August (email fmsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz).
ENDS