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This holiday season has seen a rise in set netting at local bays – at Hatfields Beach five were put out on a single day this month.
Local resident Neil Henson has been observing the issue for 14 years. He says this summer the numbers have blown up – something he puts down to population growth.
“The amount of people living in new subdivisions all over the region has put pressure on recreation resources,” he says. “There are higher concentrations of all sorts of activities on the beach – including boating, swimming and fishing.”
Neil wants to make more people aware of the problem as he hopes the community will support Council imposing a set net control at Hatfields.
He is currently gathering information via Facebook and talking with Local Board members.
Residents of Matakatia put their case for set net controls last year – this is currently being investigated by Council, and Neil says he wishes Hatfields had joined that push.
“I don’t want Hatfields to be the unregulated one. It has to be addressed for safety reasons. The nets mean you can’t swim the length of the beach, and small boats can’t sail across either.”
Neil asks locals to post comments and photos on the Facebook page Stop Set Netting – the information collected can be used when approaching Council for regulation of the practice.
Anyone who sees issues with set nets at local beaches can call Auckland Council’s helpline (see above) or MPI, email poacher@mpi.govt.nz or phone 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476224), as these nets often catch undersized fish and seabirds, or fall short of Fisheries Act rules.
