New Zealand First Opposes Snapper Catch Limit Reduction

New Zealand First is totally opposed to plans to reduce the recreational catch limit from nine down to three in the important Snapper 1 Fishery.

Outdoor Recreation and Fisheries Spokesperson Richard Prosser said recreational fishers were being asked to shoulder the entire burden of rebuilding snapper stocks when it was largely overfishing by the commercial sector which was responsible for depleting the resource in the first place.

“The commercial fishing industry is not having its catch limits reduced at all, but the recreational fishers who didn’t cause the problem are having their limit slashed by two-thirds.

“It’s grossly unfair and doubly pointless because it won’t solve the problem.

“Going fishing is a birth right for New Zealanders, and it must not be put in jeopardy because of this Government’s favourable treatment of one particular interest group.

“If there are going to be reductions they must be across the board, especially when the recreational fishing community has already paid more than its fair share in terms of reduced limits.

“Increasing the minimum allowable size for snapper for all fishers, commercial and recreational, is something that recreational fishers could live with, and would do more to help repair fish stocks than arbitrary reductions for those who aren’t the source of the problem.

“New Zealand First remains completely opposed to these proposed catch limit reductions for recreational fishers,” said Mr Prosser.

ENDS

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