Quota trim sought

Press, 12 October 1988, Page 1

Quota trim sought

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter Fishing industry representatives yesterday told the Government to reduce the Maori fishing entitlement from 50 per cent to about 10 per cent of the total catch. They suggested, however, that Maoris gain access to fishing quotas at a faster rate than the 20-year period proposed by the Government. The president of the Fishing Industry Association, Mr David Anderson, outlined some of the industry’s proposals after putting them to the Ministerial sub-com-mittee on Maori fishing rights. Asked if a Maori share of about 10 per cent had been suggested to the Ministers, he said, “Yes, I think that is getting close to the figure.” He later said this would mean about 50 per cent of the inshore fisheries. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, who chairs the Ministerial sub-committee, said the proposals from the fishing industry were quite dramatic. They would be considered very carefully, he said.

Under the Maori Fisheries Bill now before Parliament, Maoris would gain the right to 2.5 per cent of fishing quotas for each of the next 20 years. Mr Anderson said giving a 50 per cent share over such a long period was not in the interests of Maoridom.

“We believe it should be settled over a shorter period and not necessarily at that percentage; in fact, somewhere below that.”

He said his industry’s submissions to the Government had not been limited to the issue of quotas and timing. A number of changes proposed for the Maori Fisheries Bill were complicated. The Government was to be applauded for listening to the fishing industry, said Mr Anderson. He held out hope that a solution acceptable to all could be found.

“We, like everybody else in this country, are absolutely certain that we will arrive at an equitable solution between the Crown, Maoridom and the industry.”

The bill as now framed had major ingredients that were unacceptable and unworkable. Mr Anderson said the fishing industry was still proceeding with its legal action which seeks to define traditional Maori fishing rights.

The industry would meet Government officials later this week to explain its proposals for Maori fishing. The president of the Federation of Commercial Fishermen, Mr Bob Martin, said threats of fishermen breaking the law had already been withdrawn. He said it was to be hoped that a solution could be found that was good for Maoris and the fishing industry.

Govt attacked, page 2