waterfront business
Snapper sustainability disputed
NORTHLAND SNAPPER STOCKS are not
below sustainable levels, according to
the president of the Whangarei Fishing
Association Greg Hayes.
This is in direct dispute to the recently
released Ministry for Primary Industry
assessment of New Zealand fisheries stocks.
Peer-reviewed scientific information
gathered for the report states that while
snapper stocks have increased in the last
two decades they remain below their
management target.
Hayes says that the three-year survey
could not match 40 years of local
intelligence, and that there has been a
noticeable increase in snapper numbers and
size, especially deeper out.
The survey acknowledged that numbers
of young fish coming into the population
have been above average, while Hayes held
that it was well known among commercial
fishers that the "average" size of snapper was
smaller because of the "enormous increase in
the overall number of juveniles."
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Environmental factors have been addressed
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upper deck. Like the current Fullers Starflyte
vessel both ferries will operate with lowwash capability.
As yet un-named, the new vessel will
join the Fullers fleet of 15 ferries already
operating in and around the Hauraki Gulf,
transporting close to 4.5 million passengers
annually. Construction will begin this year
with an expected delivery date of July 2014.
VIP.S
VIP.S93
P
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the contract for the new passenger ferry
for their Hauraki Gulf commuter and
tourism services to New Zealand owned
Q-West Boat Builders Limited.
Based in Whanganui, Q-West is
experienced in building a range of
marine craft. Managing director Myles
Fothergill sees the 34 metre catamaran
build as a boost to the economy. "We're
fully New Zealand owned and operated
and we may be a small country but
we're big on boat building skills and
technology," says Fothergill.
Fullers shareholders made the decision
to invest in a new-build following a
review of the network requirements.
Australian marine concept and
development company Incat Crowther
worked with the Fullers team to develop
a vessel offering operational flexibility
and solutions for travel across our
harbour and islands network.
The vessel's 338 passengers will be
accommodated over two levels with
seating for 212 passengers in its main
cabin. Large doors will facilitate fast
boarding and exiting. Passenger boarding
is further enhanced by large side gates on
both deck levels, as well as articulated ramps
mounted on the transom port and starboard.
These ramps are designed to integrate with
the existing shore-based infrastructure,
and offer a fast turnaround time. At the
forward end of the upper deck is an
asymmetric wheelhouse and the frequently
used starboard wing control station is
enclosed, whilst the port side is dedicated
to a crew access via stairs to the foredeck.
The foredeck will be configured to carry
palletised cargo, with a Palfinger deck crane.
The vessel will be powered by a pair
of Cummins QSK 38 main engines,
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September/October 2013 Professional Skipper 47
