22/5/2000
Media Release

NZ Seafood Industry Backs Te Ohu Kaimoana Fisheries Allocation Model

The New Zealand Seafood Industry has endorsed the allocation of Maori fishing assets as proposed by the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (TOKM) and the majority of Maori.

Seafood Industry Council chief executive John Valentine said the recent industry conference was unanimous in its support for the allocation of Maori fisheries assets.

After the presentation of a study by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, the conference put its weight behind the Commission and the optimum model for allocation which has the supported of the majority of tribes. The study found that $1 million of Maori wealth was being destroyed every month by delays in allocating fisheries assets to Maori.

“The industry is deeply concerned about the impact the non-allocation of assets is having on the growth of the entire industry, What affects Maori fishing interests affects the entire industry,” Dr Valentine said.

Industry has agreed to work with Maori and call on the government to legislate to give effect to the immediate allocation of Maori fisheries assets to all Maori via the Optimum Allocation Model.

“The report was sobering news and the industry sees this issue now as not one of Maori politics but one of impeding the economic growth of the entire industry,” Mr Valentine said.

“The industry has a huge amount of respect for the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission and its development of the Optimum Allocation model.The allocation of the assets will allow Maori to strengthen relationships with the rest of the industry and will aid the rate economic growth of the industry.”

For further information contact
Tina Nixon 025 2232789
or Dr Valentine 025 433 608

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