Whilst I respect a persons right to make a living, our natural resources are too precious to 'fish to extinction' we need to think beyond traditional commercial benefits alone.
If a person can't make a profit commercially fishing without significantly contributing to the depletion of a fish stock, then they should find alternative work. To increase quotas for a fish that is already showing tself to be on the decline is reprehensible.
Who stands to gain from these kinds of decisions, certainly not our children.
....Mrs Andrea Staniford (29 April 2004) |
The Beloved KAHAWAI - just another resource to be pawned. I am now 53 years old. I have been sea fishing for about 40 years and am particularly familiar with the waters of Northland.
The sea in my youth teemed with all manner of fish. We owned a bach overlooking the bay, and on calm days we could always see large numbers of kahawai feeding offshore. If nothing else was available (and that was unusual) we could at least catch a feed of kahawai. The excitement of catching them was a bonus.
These days NOTHING!! We seldom see them in the bay, let alone catch any. The same story is reflected right along our coast.
The number of kahawai in these waters is severely reduced. For the Ministry of Fisheries to introduce kahawai into the Quota Management System is a CRIME against all Kiwis AND future generations.
What right does the Ministry have to offer this marvellous (easily depleted) resource to commercial interests when it everyone..
Who in fact does the Ministry represent? This whole allocation business for the benefit of the big commercial enterprises and New Zealand's "external accounts", and AT THE EXPENSE OF ordinary New Zealanders makes me sick! Wake up Mr Minister and sort your priorities.
I will vote for the Green Party and Jeanette Fitzsimons on account of her comments, and I believe that any political party that makes a stand to save what remains of our diminished fisheries (and to hell with the large fishing companies) will find wide support. I ask you Mr Minister, please protect our heritage for ALL New Zealanders, now and in the future. To do otherwise is a CRIME against us all. On behalf of ALL New Zealanders
....Mr Hamish Spencer (29 April 2004) |
I am in full support for our option4 team 100%. Keep up the great work.
....Mr David Jordan (29 April 2004) |
I am in full support of anything that can support the betterment of our recreational fishing. I am amazed that it takes me all my time to now get a fish for the pot. Being so close to the sea and not able to get a feed through some fun is not on.
....Mr Jeff Farrow (29 April 2004) |
Once upon a time Kahawai were thick in Doubtless Bay, now they are seldom caught, those that are landed are usually juvenile. The Government should regulate all fish and fishing so that everyone gets a fair share while future stocks are guaranteed, even if total bans are placed during spawning seasons. Increase the policing of Fisheries Officer, don't cut the funding!
....Mr Victor Holloway (29 April 2004) |
I am a returning to fishing after to long a break & are horrified over Kahawai numbers in the 12 months since I returned to fishing I have seen numbers drop further. The purse seine vessels targeting this great sport fish must stop. As a child I remember not being able to get a bait down to snapper because the Kahawai would hit the bait as soon it hit the water. How things have changed not for the better!!!
....Mr Scott Stonex (29 April 2004) |
As a recently arrived "Pom" from a land which once possessed an abundance of fish in the sea, I have seen the creeping decline of this natural resource at the hands of bureaucrats and greedy consortiums. Act now, before it's too late!
....Mr Andy Woolhouse (29 April 2004) |
Fishing for food is the right of every NZ'er. The stocks of fish are a limited resource which the Gov't have failed to manage for the NZ population in a manner that protects our heritage. I want the sea and seabed protected from ownership and commercial fishing, from plunderers of the shell-fish and from any racial groups trying to restrict access for themselves and I will support any group the will fight for this.
....Mr Brian Mearns (29 April 2004) |
I believe commercial fishing needs to be reduced drastically before our fish stocks reach levels lower than they already are. If they drop further, New Zealand's whole marine eco system will be severely unbalanced and it may never recover. Then everyone will miss out, not just recreational fishermen but commercial fishermen as well. We need to act now, before recreational fishing will be a thing of the past, and just because big fishing companies want to keep on making record profits.
....Mr Ryan Watson (29 April 2004) |
Having fished NZ for the past 12 years, I have noticed a Great drop in the amount of kahawai and other species that are being caught and in size, especially in areas such as Whatipu on the Manukau Harbour. When I first arrived hear we would catch each at least 4 @ 4kg I cannot remember the last time this happened. As further increases and encroachment by commercial vessels can only result in the further depletion of fish stocks around NZ I firmly support your efforts to stop this from happening. I will be passing on this site to my fishing mates, so you can expect more supporters.
....Mr Graham Stuart Walker (29 April 2004) |
