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From MPI to MOSS… to set nets and seabirds BY RICHARD L CLOUGH T he Annual Conference of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen was held in Masterton on May 16 and 17. The 55th Annual General Meeting of the Federation was held the following day. President Doug Saunders-Loder opened the conference and paid tribute to the CEO, Cara Halford who was seconded from the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council in 2011. She has shown extraordinary competence and diligence in performing her duties. The Mayor of Carterton District, Ron Mark, welcomed delegates. He drew parallels between their rural problems and those of the fishing industry: Exchange rates, fuel prices, local vs. foreign worker issues and environmental problems. Mainly, he urged pragmatism. The next speaker was Nick Rogers, commercial manager, Tui Brewery. An inspirational speaker, he described the resuscitation of the moribund town of Mangatainoka through the expansion of the Tui Brewery brand. Visitors to the plant increased from 6,000 in 2005 to 50,000 in 2012. The essence of success was the mutual support of the brewery, farmers and community. He went on to speak about the new Monteith's Brewery in Greymouth that has the making of a similar success. The keynote speaker was the Minister for Primary Industries, the Hon Nathan Guy. He spoke on the merger of the ministries, when Fisheries and Food Safety were joined to MAF to form MPI 12 months ago. This has brought about major savings. Fisheries exports have grown five percent per annum in value over recent years. The Government is trying to expand trade through the Trans Pacific Partnership and Free Trade Agreements with India and Russia. He promised research initiatives with industry and noted the Foreign Charter Vessel legislation that is designed to cure the problems associated with that sector. He announced Total Allowable Commercial Catch increases in Red Cod 2 and in Flats. To questions from the floor, the Minister undertook to look into the request for the use of Underwater Breathing Apparatus in the commercial kina fishery to be legalised. This writer raised the issue of a New Zealand expatriate who used to loyally buy New Zealand fish in the United States, but ceased because it was of such poor quality. To the allegation that it was because the catch by FCVs was frozen and thawed twice before reaching the consumer, the Minister stated that preservation of the good name of New Zealand and its produce was vital and that he was confident that the legislation would cover this problem. Andy Doube, inshore fisheries manager, MPI, was next to speak, conveying in general terms the development of new technologies and rules to encourage more efficient production. The president responded by outlining the trouble the industry encounters with uncertainty and the inability to have their practical views and experience heard. Following Doube's claim that the Ministry wants better information, more than one delegate then complained that years of observer coverage and other information had produced 36 Professional Skipper July/August 2013 no action, notably on set net bans. Why, when fishermen are demonstrably not killing dolphins, are the bans still in place? There was no answer. To the problem of fish with no size limits, which have to be landed and covered with Annual Catch Entitlement but have no value, the answer was that these problems are being worked on. Unfortunately, no one took the opportunity to point out that the Discards Working Group had been working on them for over three years, with no results. Karin Kos, Communications Manager of Seafood New Zealand introduced education specialists, the Ministry of Done on how to reach and influence school children. The MOD presenters, Emma Bettle and Miriam Makgill delivered a lively and entertaining presentation on latest curriculum developments; what interested teachers and trends in learning and the best way for industry to reach schools. A local guest speaker, Sir Brian Lochore, spoke on life's lessons starting with: "What does rugby have to do with fishing?" From childhood to All Black stardom and beyond he showed how it related to all life and to the fishing profession. His original ambition to be a jockey (no kidding) showed the value of focussing on your assets. On the Thursday evening, the most popular event of the Conference was held – the traditional Fish and Chip Dinner at the Shipwreck Auction to raise funds for the Shipwreck Relief Society. The Electronic Navigation Ltd Shield was presented to the person who was considered to have done the most for his (in this case her) fellow fishermen. Bluff Fishermen's Radion operator Mary Leask was a popular and deserving winner. The official take from the auction was $18,985, but this was expected to increase to well over $19,000 with the addition of donations, the proceeds of a raffle and the odd fine for having a mobile phone ring during proceedings. Record keeper and scribe, Lea Clough, had the misfortune to suffer this during the auction, so auctioneer Richard Kibblewhite promptly knocked the lot down to him. The second day of the conference began with Maritime New Zealand. Helen Davidson began with compliance, citing four decision factors which would govern MNZ actions: The extent of harm from an incident, the conduct of the person(s) involved, public interest and the attitude towards compliance displayed. The compliance options were: Civil or criminal proceedings, detentions of vessel(s), imposition of conditions, notices, guidelines and advice and supply of information. To the problem of a compliant vessel not having a Safe Ship Management certificate in place, the answer was that it would not be detained – it would have temporary dispensation to operate pending delivery of a certificate by the SSM company. Baz Kirk spoke on Maritime Operator Safety System. The current SSM framework is inadequate. MOSS, a system of more direct supervision by MNZ, focuses on whole operations. He outlined the differences. Under SSM, an operator has to engage a SSM company, but under MOSS owners deal directly with MNZ. A SSM certificate lasts up to four years, but the Maritime www.skipper.co.nz