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EDITORIAL Is it time TO SAY NO? BY KEITH INGRAM, PUBLISHER T o suggest that New Zealand has not been impacted by the effects of the world reces- sion, Christchurch earthquakes, Pike River and local flooding, all of which have in one way or another had a downstream effect on the maritime com- munity, would be an understatement. When you couple this to the continuing demise of our leisure marine market, the commercial fishing fleet and coastal shipping, is it any wonder some pundits have declared the marine industry is stuffed! But this is not so. Granted, we have suffered a serious decline pretty much across all our sectors, yet when we look across the Tasman and further afield we are not doing so badly compared with many of our international competitors. In particular, our order books for new builds and refits in the superyacht market are very healthy as this premiere sector of our boatbuilding industry consolidates on the deserved reputation of past builds. The proposed new Yard 37 at Auckland's Hobsonville Base will only consolidate the New Zealand boatbuilding industry's commitment to excellence by having a one-stop shop for building and refitting these very expensive craft. Let's not forget the New Zealand boatbuilding industry was built on the back of the commercial maritime industry. After all, we are an island nation with 98 percent of our goods, exports and imports arriving or departing by sea. We have a hardworking workboat fleet to maintain the life-blood of our coast and ports. Alongside them, spending most of their time out of port at sea, is an equally large but ageing fishing fleet that alone is supporting a billion dollar industry. Yet the public's memories remain short. Sadly, when you look at all the new developments happening around most ports, you could be forgiven for forgetting we once had a strong waterfront industry. Prime waterfront land is being swallowed up for apartments, restaurants and bars as our local politicians play pussy to appease the public by opening up our working wharves to become public social amenities. Some of these changes are great. But how far will we allow our enthusiasm to go before someone wakes up and says, "Enough is enough!" One only hopes this happens shortly, because as history will attest, turning back the clock will be very expensive if we have got this wrong. The casualty in all this enthusiastic development - where only the developers are making the gold - is us, the marine industry. In Auckland, for example, with the opening up of the red fences along the city waterfront, it has got so bad that now even important dwellers such as our tow and workboats NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 1 and the companies who do all the wharf repairs or build jetties and marinas are being knocked from pillar to post to a stage where they do not have the land space to support their business. Likewise, the commercial fishing boats in many ports are regarded as an embarrassment as this ageing fleet continues to decline. I was recently in Nelson on Vickerman Street's waterfront walkway and noted the number of smart old fishing boats. "This is great. Talley's' boys are making money," I thought to myself, only to come to the shocked realisation that the common denominator was none of these boats were sporting fishing numbers. Half the fleet is now enjoying life after fishing as well- found recreational craft. If this is not a clear warning, I have never seen one. The next thing we will be seeing is more foreign fishing vessels manned by foreigners fishing our fish in our waters and disappearing with the catch as more and more fish is caught and processed offshore. Yeah right! My guess is much fish blood will be spilt before this happens and the waterfront becomes the preserve for people's leisure. What can we do about it? First, our local politicians must acknowledge the value and importance of the maritime workboat industry and stop driving it into the shallows, where it will only founder. The government will need to intervene with a review of the Fisheries Act and the quota management system, so quota may be made available at affordable lease prices to enable young people to enter and commit to the fishing industry and in doing so build new inshore fishing vessels. Sadly, this will need government intervention, because the quota holders, who for the most part are no longer involved in the hands-on catching of fish, are bleeding the fishing industry dry. The end result is the current situation of an ageing, dying fishing fleet. I believe we can turn this around. As an industry there will be no free handouts, but opportunities will abound and we only have to look at the white boat market, which has taken a positive lead. It is now time for our industry's leaders to collectively join forces for the greater good. If we are united we will have the strength to survive and develop a strong and vibrant industry, one that our young people will be proud to join. For there is no alternative. ■