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Gloves
Off in Battle for Fishing Rights
option4
Update #67
2006
Yes,
I already know what I want. I want option4 to represent
my interests in this debate.
I
want option4 to speak on my behalf in regards to the Shared
Fisheries Policy and proportional allocation.
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| The Ministry
of Fisheries is about to commence work on developing a Shared
Fisheries Policy.
This process will
go directly to the core issue of defining the rights of recreational
fishers now, and into the future. If you are a recreational
fisher then this is EVERYTHING.
There is only one
certainty, if recreational fishers fail to engage at the highest
level possible, they will lose. |
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We already know what the
Ministry's agenda is, it was revealed in the Soundings
document in the year 2000.
During the public consultation
phase of Soundings the Ministry admitted that their main
objective was to "cap the recreational catch and avoid compensation
issues for the Crown".
The Ministry personnel involved
in the formulation of Soundings admitted afterwards they
had undue influence over the recreational representatives at the
time. The integrity of Soundings was highly questionable
as the document was written behind closed doors and the participants
sworn to secrecy.
Round One - Soundings
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The
Soundings
document was so flawed that on its release, long-time recreational
fisheries advocate Paul Barnes called for an urgent meeting
of all recreational leaders.
Agreement was quickly
reached that the three proportional options presented in the
Soundings document had nothing to do with improving
recreational fishing rights, it was all about privatising
the recreational fishery and needed to be rejected outright.
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| The outcome of the meeting was the formation of
option4. |
It was option4 that put a
stop to the privatisation of the recreational fishery last time,
and they have been working tirelessly on the allocation issue ever
since. Over 100,000 people gave their mandate to option4 to represent
them and counter the Ministry's agenda. option4, with this overwhelming
public support, also defeated the moves to have Kiwis paying dearly
for a compulsory fishing license.
option4 could see the monies
raised through the proposed licenses would only have been used to
fund the hundreds of "fish police" required to keep recreational
fishers within their new quota allocations. Every fish caught would
need to be accounted for under this system. When our quota was reached
all recreational fishers would need to stop fishing for the year.
Certainly, this is not the fishing future most Kiwis want to leave
for their children.
The political ground has
radically shifted since Soundings . Recent developments
have seen the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Committee
and regional forums. The people on these panels are political appointees
- some have a stated preference for compulsory licensing of recreational
fishers.
The Ministerial Advisory
Panels and Regional Recreational Forums appointed to represent recreational
fishers have little or no resources to allow them to properly consult
with the public. While the Ministry and Minister believe these groups
will ensure "the interests of recreational fishers are well represented",
option4 cannot see how they will achieve anything without resources
to consult with those they are charged with representing.
Mark Edwards MFish National
Manager of Fisheries Policy said, "Representation without resources
is an illusion," although this quote was made several years ago,
it is just as relevant today. Obviously it is not only option4 who
has concerns over the level of resources required to achieve adequate
representation.
There are also other organisations
that claim they speak on behalf of all recreational fishers and
these groups also have no resources. Clearly this is not good enough!
Will your view be
taken into account?
Every recreational fisher
has something crucial to the outcome of this debate, that precious
something is his or her mandate.
If you elect not to use your
mandate then either the Ministerial Advisory groups, the regional
associations or some other organisation, with no resources and few
personnel will claim they speak for you. You will have no idea what
they are agreeing to, or what they will be giving away on your behalf.
Most recreational fishers
will be relieved to know that option4 is determined to be involved
in this debate again. In addition to their vast experience they
will bring a clarity that has been developed through hundreds of
people having input into a series of documents that truly capture
the issues and provide real solutions to the whole allocation debate.
option4 believe everything they seek is achievable without the need
to license recreational fishers.
Round Two - who
will be fighting in your corner?
Fishing rights are extremely
valuable. option4 is very concerned about two aspects of this process.
- Ministry of Fisheries will still be looking for a way to privatise
the recreational fishery, cap the recreation catch and avoid compensation
issues for the Crown.
- Commercial fishers will use this process as an opportunity to
further improve their position.
option4's
Promise
Give option4 your mandate
and you will be represented by the best people and kept informed
of progress with regular updates. Only option4's transparency of
process, inclusiveness and adherence to their four founding principles
gives you certainty there will be no surprises!
As the real battle looms
on the horizon option4 has never been better prepared to fight to
protect Kiwi's right to fish in the sea.
option4 has:
- Four unambiguous principles to guide decisions*
- Expert and professional fisheries advisors familiar with the
issues
- Fully briefed legal team focussed on fisheries
- A team of top recreational representatives conversant with the
allocation issue
- Direct internet communications network to tens of thousands
of fishers
- Solid relationships with key fishing media to keep the public
informed
- Excellent relationships with tangata whenua through the Hokianga
Accord
- Open and transparent processes, any recreational fisher can
participate
- option4's pledge - No surprises
*option4
Principles:
- A priority right over commercial fishers for free access
to a reasonable daily bag limit to be written into legislation**
(see note).
- The ability to exclude commercial methods that deplete
recreationally important areas.
- The ability to devise plans to ensure future generations
enjoy the same or better quality of rights while preventing
fish conserved for recreational use being given to the commercial
sector.
- No licensing of recreational fishers.
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**
option4's current position is:
Either, the Government
should honour its 1989 promise to give preference to non-commercial
fishing or manage fisheries of importance to recreational
fishers significantly above the level required to produce
the maximum sustainable yield to allow recreational fishers
to achieve better catch rates of bigger fish.
Full details of
option4's current position on priority is in the Proportional
Allocation document. |
Do
you want option4 to represent you?
The option4 principles
are worth fighting for.
The best reason
to give option4 your mandate is because only by standing together
can we win.
We live in a democracy,
numbers are everything, and you can make the difference.
It is easier than
you think and it's free.
| You can give option4 your mandate by registering
your details below or completing the coupon and mailing it
back to us. |
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option4
has two main avenues of communication
A monthly update is included
in every issue of NZ's leading fishing magazine, the New Zealand
Fishing News.
Online supporters enjoy regular
updates and, for those who really want to get involved, the ability
to participate in areas of interest to them. Questions and comments
from recreational fishers are welcome – we will respond.
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