More Action To Follow Fisheries Strike

“Fishery Officers will be undertaking more action if a mediation set down for Wednesday fails to deliver changes in the Ministry position,” Martin Cooney, organiser with the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) said today.

“Friday’s strike is estimated to have led to a loss of about 10 tonnes of paua poached from around the country (about triple the normal amount). The main paua fisheries in southern North Island, the South Island, Chatham Islands and Stewart Island were barely monitored on the day except round Otago.”

“The fisheries were fortunate in that the bad weather did contribute to a lower level of poaching and a one day strike allows limited opportunity for the over 70 paua poaching rings to mount a professional raid,” said Martin Cooney. “However our confidential estimates of losses of other species indicate that the fishing industry should be concerned at the impact of this dispute escalating.”

“Union delegates are considering a ban on weekend work and other forms of action in the light of the Ministry ignoring their action,” said Martin Cooney. “Currently weekend blitzes are being run to persuade amateur fishermen to keep to limits. These would be halted in most areas by the action”

“Delegates have now agreed to mediation this Wednesday 3 November in Wellington,” said Martin Cooney. “NUPE is looking for progress on the revaluation, staff cuts and other issues on the day.”

“However the Ministry of Fisheries should be in no doubt of the determination of Fishery Officers to see a just end to this dispute,” said Martin Cooney.

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