Kahawai decision by Minister shows disregard for the ‘people's fish’ The Kiwi Party Press Release
1 October, 2010

The decision on the quota allocations for Kahawai to take effect today is very disappointing, said Kiwi Party Leader Larry Baldock.

"It not only shows disregard for the concerns of recreational fishers expressed in more than 1000 submissions, but it completely ignores the scientific and anecdotal evidence presented through the submission process concerning the state of the fish stock," said the party leader.

"Once again the Minister demonstrates that he, like all his other cabinet colleagues, is good at saying one thing when in opposition for nine years, but has now become a puppet of vested interests and the bureaucracy when in government.

"The Hon. Phil Heatley supported my attempts to stop Kahawai quota going to support commercial purse seine fishing in 2004. In a personal letter to the Minister attached to the Kiwi Party submission to the Ministry of Fisheries in August, I reminded Mr Heatley of the principled stand he had made in 2004. Sadly it seems such principles have now evaporated, and my appeal falls on deaf ears and a cold commercial heart.

"In slashing the recreational allocation by 60% and customary allocations by 48% he takes further steps in destroying the common law right of families to fish to put food on the table. He also endangers the future prospects for Kiwi kids to experience the thrill of catching their own kahawai in the inshore area.

"Instead he allows for whole schools of kahawai to continue to be scooped from the water in nets, processed into cray bait and pet food and exported at low value.

"Shame, shame, shame on you Minister!"

ENDS

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