Wednesday, 12 January 2005

Fisheries moves welcomed

United Future and its affiliated party, Outdoor Recreation New Zealand, today welcomed new Government initiatives that will see recreational fishers have greater input into fisheries decision-making.

Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope said today he will establish an independent ministerial recreational fishing advisory panel, as well as the creation of a nationwide network of recreational fishing forums, saying they recognised the importance of recreational fishing to New Zealand society.

United Future’s fisheries spokesman Larry Baldock and ORNZ chairman Paul Check have welcomed these moves, saying it shows the Minister has recognised he received wrong advice last year when he established fishing quotas for kahawai.

“However, the true test of these bodies will be how the Minister responds to their skilled and experienced advice, so that they become a positive part of the fisheries policy formation, rather than organisations that the Minister ignores as and when he sees fit,” the two men said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media