Press Release 14th October 2001.
Labour abandons Conservation and Recreation with a Whimper
The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers, a national organisation of angling clubs and anglers, slammed Mark
Burton’s announcement of a 3-year extension of the moratorium on trout importation on Saturday as ‘a complete cop-out’.
President Alan McMillan said “Anglers had been waiting since 1998 (when the Protection of Trout as a Non-commercial
Species Bill was introduced) for this Coalition Government to honour its commitment to the 200,000 freshwater anglers in
New Zealand. It now appears that their commitment to recreational angling is as endangered as the water in our rivers”.
Ken Sims. Research Officer for the Federation, described the announcement as “Whimping out”. “The Government doesn’t
even have the fortitude to pass its own legislation,” he said. “What is so complicated about preserving the status quo
in law, ie protecting a world renowned recreational asset so fondly used by tourism promotions, which is paid for and
managed by the anglers of New Zealand, from those who would sacrifice it for their own selfish commercial gain? In New
Zealand (unlike other countries) trout have always been a recreational and non-commercial species. We are simply asking
the government to uphold the original intent of the Conservation Act 1987, and enshrine the existing status of trout in
this country in law. The Labour party itself produced the legislation to do this. Now, despite it having been through a
select committee, they refuse to progress it through into law.”
President Alan McMillan added, “Anglers are a patient lot, it is part of their psyche. They are also passionate about
the sport of angling and the environment it is conducted in. The Federation has been fighting this battle in one form or
another since the 1970’s. That’s longer than any current member of Parliament has been around. We aren’t about to stop
now. In October 1999 the Labour Party produced some pledges on Outdoor Recreation. Those aren’t looking too healthy two
years down the track, and surely they will be held accountable for them soon. And I’m sorry Mr Burton, but a $50,000
cheque to the Tongariro Trout Centre simply doesn’t cut it”
ENDS
Contact:
Alan McMillan Ken Sims
President Research Officer
NZFFA NZFFA
Phone/Fax: (03) 489 8284 Phone (06) 356 9402 Fax: (06) 356 9404
Email: club.wingatui@xtra.co.nz Email: ken_sims_98@yahoo.com
Web site: http://go.to/NZFFA Web site: http://go.to/NZFFA
Ken Sims Research Officer New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (Inc.) Executive Member - Council of Outdoor
Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ)
63 Maxwells Line Palmerston North New Zealand
E-Mail: ken_sims_98@yahoo.com http://go.to/NZFFA
Ken Sims Research Officer New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (Inc.) Executive Member - Council of Outdoor
Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ)
63 Maxwells Line Palmerston North New Zealand
E-Mail: ken_sims_98@yahoo.com http://go.to/NZFFA