Stop Coastline Plunder Says Nz First

New Zealand First Maori Affairs spokesperson Pita Paraone has called for a complete overhaul of laws relating to customary Maori fishing rights and the monitoring of them.

This follows a report that customary Maori fishing rights are being widely abused, particularly on the East Coast where criminal elements are allegedly involved in plundering paua, crayfish and kina on illegal permits. Between May 2003 and January 2004, 12,000 kina, 3710 crayfish and 200 paua were taken under a single permit.

Mr Paraone said the situation was a disgrace to those issuing the permits and an even bigger disgrace to the people fishing with them.

“It is an abuse of the system by unscrupulous people. Customary rights are not commercial rights and the plundering of the coastline cannot be tolerated any longer.

“The present system of issuing permits is not working so it obviously needs a complete overhaul and better monitoring.”

Mr Paraone said there was a need for extra fisheries officers to be appointed to increase surveillance in the worst areas, and he called on local iwi to do their part by identifying and ostracising the poachers.

“We must not tolerate the activities of greedy criminals who are stripping the coastline. The resources are there for all New Zealanders, and Maori who enjoy customary rights have a duty to help stop the exploitation,” he said.

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

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