Professional Skipper - Free Sample issue (July/Aug 2011)

The past-president of the New Zealand Recreational Fishing th N Z l d R ti l Fi hi Council, Keith Ingram, did a hatchet job on the Ministry of Fisheries' new charter boat registration and reporting system. He agreed there was a need for better information to aid decision- making, but stated this system would not deliver. Of 306 registered charter boats, about 150 will do over 120 days per year and 100 fewer than 60 days per year. Most are licensed to carry up to 12 passengers. Keith said the registration process was archaic and demanded more than the Privacy Act suggests MFish is entitled to. The reporting form was cumbersome and there were concerns about safety. Many charter boat operators promote catch and release or restrict their clients to lower maxima than those dictated by amateur take rules – typically one kingfish per person and two or three hapuku, groper and bluenose, this being more than enough for an amateur catching for the table. According to MFish figures, more than 1.4 million New Zealanders fish at least once a year, and about 20,000 do so under International Game Fishing Association rules for less than six months per year. A NIWA charter boat diary survey in 2000 showed the amount of snapper caught on charter boats was less than three percent of the national recreational estimate (and hence allowance). As this was below the ministry's own three percent margin of error, it could not use the data. There was a feeling aboard charter boats that the fishing industry was using the new reporting system to move attention from their own poor fishing practices and to make charter boats use allocated quota, Ingram told the conference. "How would that work, when the amateur fisher is still entitled to his bag limit? Are we looking to emulate Spain, where a ban on amateur take of commercial species is planned?" he asked. No-one was arguing with the need for better information. The ministry now had a tool called the fishery officer/honorary fishery officer non-commercial activity log to capture data from 100,000 amateurs per year. The log records their locality, date, prime and secondary target species taken, permits and other data. However, the only data used is the number of people. MFish does not use the remainder, nor will it allow the Recreational Fishing Council to extract the data, citing privacy of those involved in compliance action. Ingram said the council believes the information may indicate MFish is underestimating the amateur catch, and questions why this data is not used. The council is trying to create a recreational body with statutory recognition. It could still not support recreational licensing, but it could derive income from data-gathering and charging the ministry for it. The evening of the first day of the conference was devoted to the traditional fish and chip dinner, which included the shipwreck auction and the presentation of the Electronic Navigation Ltd Shield. The federation executive awards the ENL Shield to a member who has shown selfless service to his fellow fishermen. Over the years, a liberal interpretation of the basic rule has been and From an excellent conference turnout to the shipwreck action d fish and chips, these fishermen dug deep. Big Pete Dawson and his family were awarded the ENL Trophy for Service applied, and so it was this year, when the recipient was nominally Peter Dawson, the federation's chief executive. Firstly, he was not strictly a member, and secondly, he was not an individual. On the basis that the federation gets four for the price of one, the award was presented to the Dawson family, in recognition of the efforts during the year and at every conference of Peter, his wife Dee and sons Mike and Rob. The popular Shipwreck Auction raised about $26,500 for the Shipwreck Relief Society, not far short of last year's title. This figure tends to grow as late donations come in. The society makes immediate payments to next of kin of professional mariners who die at sea. Many businesses contributed items, with one donor urging others to follow his lead and use the auction to dispose of unsuitable presents. The second day of the conference featured a slide show and talk on seabirds by Kim Westerskov, followed by John Cleal, better known by his nom-de-plume of Admiral Albert Ross, who spoke on operational aspects of protected species mitigation. In the same vein, the convenor of the Southern Seabird Solutions Trust, Janice Molloy, listed the large range of inventions New Zealand fishers had produced to mitigate seabird problems. She announced the Smartgear Competition, closing August 31, for mitigation devices. Those interested should check Southern Seabird Solutions' website for details. Kris Ramm, of the Department of Conservation, spoke on case studies in mitigation. A federation project, Fishing Rods for the Disabled, had representatives of the disabled community and supporters speaking on the changes the electrically powered rods had made to their ability to enjoy fishing. Mike Sullivan, of Ocean Law, spoke to delegates on their rights and responsibilities in relation to MFish compliance. It was largely an updated reprise of his presentation at the previous year's conference. It ended with his most important injunction: "Don't say anything without legal advice." SEAFIC's communications manager, Sid Pickering, who is better known to us as the editor of Seafood New Zealand magazine, spoke on "Educating the public", an exercise in self- preservation. On the third day, after a tour of Tauranga's fishing facilities, the 53rd annual general meeting of the federation was held. It began with a minute's silence to honour fishermen who had died during the year. The federation's chief executive, Pete Dawson, from Lyttelton, announced his retirement. There is, at present, no indication as to whom the next chief executive will be. Doug Saunders-Loder (Nelson) was re-elected unopposed as president, as was Allan Rooney (Lyttelton) as vice-president. Carol Scott (Nelson), Keith Mawson (Taranaki), Tony Threadwell (Lyttelton) and Brian Kiddie (Bay of Plenty) were re-elected to the executive, and new executive members elected were Greg Hayes (Leigh) and Peter Scott (Port Chalmers). July/August 2011 Professional Skipper r 23

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