Rt Hon Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader

1 April 2014

Snapper Cuts Hitting Wrong Target

The rights of the Kiwi fisher are being dealt a blow today with the reduction in the snapper bag limits by the Government, says New Zealand First.

“It is the basic right of every Kiwi to be able to throw out a line and catch a feed, yet the Government is penalising the recreational fisher as a way to manage the limited snapper resource,” says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters.

From today the Government has cut the bag limit in the Snapper 1 fishery, which extends between North Cape and Cape Runaway, from nine fish to seven, and raised the minimum size of fish to 30 centimetres, up from 27 centimetres.

“While the size has been raised for recreational catches, commercial boats are still allowed to catch 25cm fish. New Zealand First will make the size of fish caught the same for commercial and recreational fishers.

“New Zealand First changes will ensure recreational fishers get a fair deal.

“New Zealand First will abolish schedule 6 and end dumping at sea by commercial boats. Our policy is ‘you catch it you bring it home’.

“Everyone recognises the need to sustainably fish our waters but to strike at Kiwi fishermen and women is unfair in a fishery where there is a big commercial take and some unlawful practices going on at sea.

“The inshore fishery needs stronger and more responsible measures to stop the juvenile catch and end wastage by commercial operators.

“Responsible recreational fishers should not be paying the price when some commercial practices put the snapper stock under pressure.

“The opportunity for New Zealanders to fish and bring home a meal must be considered as important as commercial interests.

“With some astute planning and rigorous enforcement both commercial operators and recreational fishers can share the value of the fishery on a sustainable basis,” says Mr Peters.

ENDS

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