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The way Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), such as marine reserves, are created and managed could change completely under a Government proposal, but many are sceptical about the benefits.
The Ministry for the Environment is asking for public feedback on its plans which could see commercial fishing largely banned from much of the inner Hauraki Gulf, from Leigh to Waiheke Island, and across to Colville on the Coromandel.
In a consultation document, the Ministry says its aim is to achieve “an appropriate balance between protecting our marine environment and maximising commercial, recreational and cultural opportunities”.
It says that on a typical summer’s day on the Hauraki Gulf, nearly 7000 recreational boats can be on the water carrying up to 21,000 fishers. About 80 commercial fishing vessels are also fishing the gulf, “which may be competing with recreational fishers for catch and space”.
“The Government is proposing to establish recreational fishing parks to enhance the enjoyment and value of recreational fishing in these high-demand areas by reducing the localised impact of commercial fishing,” the document states.
Commercial fishing of some species may be allowed to continue, however, and customary fishing and marine farming will not be affected, according to the document.
Marine scientist Dr Roger Grace of Whangateau Harbourcare says creating a fishing park, even if no commercial fishing is allowed, will do nothing for marine conservation.
“Recreational fishing parks have no place in a Marine Protected Areas Act anyway, they should be under the Fisheries Act. They are of no conservational benefit whatsoever,” he says.
He referred to the example of Mimiwhangata, a marine park between Whangarei and the Bay of Islands, where there’s been been no commercial fishing and restricted recreational fishing for 21 years. Studies show no difference in the numbers of fish and crayfish inside or outside of the park in that time, with most reefs devoid of life.
“For Hauraki, it could be worse. They’re still going to allow some forms of commercial fishing, and they’re just putting a line on a map,” he says. “I think it will do absolutely nothing and, within a few years, recreational fishermen will be very disappointed because it won’t improve their fishing at all.
“The Government has known about the Mimiwhangata situation, it’s part of DOC, and they have just ignored it.”
Warkworth Gamefish Club president Dave Adams says the whole issue is complex and he admits he was a little cynical about the consultation process, not least since the Government cut recreational fishers’ take limits in 2014, while leaving commercial limits largely unchanged.
“We can commercially fish smarter and recreationally fish smarter,” he says. “There are all sorts of things at play. But everyone needs to up their game and look after the fish.”
Leigh Fisheries general manager Greg Bishop says the company will be making a submission on the proposed changes and is also making submissions with iwi and other fishing companies, but did not think it prudent to expand further at this stage.
Submissions close at 5pm on Friday March 11. For more information and to make a submission, go to 202.36.137.86/consultation/mpa#submission
