5 March 2001

The Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission (Te Ohu Kai Moana) has never made an offer to manage recreational fisheries for all New Zealanders, as stated by the Dominion newspaper (Page 3, 5 March 2001) nor does it intend to do so.

“Nowhere in our submission on the ‘Soundings’ discussion document reviewing the management of recreational fishing in New Zealand does Te Ohu Kai Moana make the offer to manage recreational fishing,” Te Ohu Kai Moana policy manager Craig Lawson said today.

“Te Ohu Kai Moana believes a more integrated approach to management at both national and local levels is needed to clarify the rights of all stakeholders in New Zealand fisheries.

“Thus, we support the objectives of the discussion document to specify more clearly the relationship between customary, commercial and recreational entitlements. We encourage greater management responsibility by recreational fishers and improving the information on recreational harvest,” Mr Lawson said.

“Te Ohu Kai Moana has no intention of offering to manage the recreational fishery and to suggest it is quite absurd. Te Ohu Kai Moana will, however, support any intiative that provides for better integration of fisheries management and co-operation among the various groups – fisheries management plans being the obvious option.”

Mr Lawson said the submission by Te Ohu Kai Moana set out its priorities for allocation in a declining fishery, but sought to work cooperatively with all fishers to achieve enhanced stocks. The submission also opposed the erosion of commercial fishing rights represented by the proposal for Coastal Zones, and agreed that recreational management and overall fisheries management would be enhanced by an increased responsibility by recreational fishing groups.

“Nowhere in the Dominion article was this made apparent despite the article focussing heavily on Te Ohu Kai Moana. In fact, looking at the article, it is doubtful the reporter even read our submission,” Mr Lawson said.

A copy of the submission can be obtained from our website www.tokm.co.nz under Commercial Rights.

For more information contact
Glenn Hema Inwood 021 498 010

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