Fishing rules reviewed

Press, 10 November 1983, Page 11

Fishing rules reviewed

PA Tauranga Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are revising certain aspects of proposed regulations governing the activities of recreational fishermen. First unveiled publicly in draft form in September, the regulations amount to a total updating of laws relating to the taking of shellfish, rock lobsters, (crayfish) and wetfish by amateurs. In many cases changes are relatively minor, but controversy has arisen over plans to introduce daily catch quotas for some species of fish considered to be under threat. This concept drew strong criticism from many groups representing amateur fishermen. From Wellington, the assistant director of fisheries management in the Ministry, Mr K. Walshe, confirmed that in light of submissions from amateur fishing interests, certain aspects of the draft regulations were being revised. . He said he was not in a position to say what aspects

of the proposed laws were being altered. They still had to be submitted to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Maclntyre, for consideration and endorsement. However, he believed the changes “went a long way towards meeting and, accommodating reasonable points made in various submissions.” “The areas where modifications are being proposed have been discussed with recreational interests and been generally endorsed as fair,” said Mr Walshe.

“The daily limits were never intended to prevent an. ordinary private citizen from being able to catch a meal of fish, and even a little more. They are deemed necessary to cope with the person who is taking considerably more than that, and on whom no restrictions at all exist at present.” According to the senior executive officer in the Fisheries Management Division, Mr B. Shallard, prompt action is expected.