The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is encouraging the public to have their say on the wide range of proposals in the Initial Position Paper on Snapper 1 (SNA 1) before consultation closes at 4pm Friday 23 August.
“MPI has held a series of public meetings in Albany, Whangarei, Parnell and Tauranga which have been well attended,” says Inshore Fisheries Manager Andrew Doube.
“It’s important to note the discussion paper sets out a wide a range of options, including the option of cutting the catch limit for commercial fishers.”
The range of options MPI are consulting on include:
- Retaining the current overall catch limit
- Increasing the limit by 500 tonnes
- Decreasing it by 500 tonnes.
“Once the overall catch is determined there is a lot of choice about who should take that catch between recreational, customary and commercial and whether any changes to other controls like bag limits are necessary and if they are, what those changes should be."
“The Snapper 1 area covers East Northland, the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty and is New Zealand’s most valuable inshore fishery. It is shared by recreational, commercial and customary interests. We want to ensure that the benefits are shared, and that it is sustainable for our children and grandchildren."
“It has been 16 years since the last review and it is time to take a look at how we best manage the fishery for now and into the future."
“Latest information shows the stock biomass (the amount of snapper) has increased but there is still some way for it to go to reach its most productive level and a lot of choice for people to consider about how to get there. "
“There have been no predetermined outcomes. Following consultation, the Minister will make his decisions based on final advice provided to him by MPI. This final advice will incorporate submissions received during the consultation period.”
MPI welcomes feedback from stakeholders and tangata whenua on the proposed changes by the 4pm close of on Friday 23 August 2013. Copies of the Initial Position Papers (IPPs) and information on the process for consultation can be found on MPI’s website at http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Consultations/default.htm
