Sanford Response to Government’s Proposed Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Fishing company Sanford (NZX:SAN) says it will be in discussions with the Government around its concerns with the proposed new Hauraki Gulf Recreational Fishing Park outlined in a White Paper released by the Government today.

Last year, Sanford CEO Volker Kuntzsch said the company would stop fishing in the Hauraki Gulf if “everyone who ‘throws a line in’ to the country’s most popular fishery records and reports what they are catching.” The company says it still believes this is the best approach for the Hauraki Gulf.

The White Paper released today sets out the Government’s proposal for a new approach to marine protection in New Zealand. If agreed the policy recommendations would form a new Marine Protected Areas Act that would replace the Marine Reserves Act 1971.

Sanford Chief Operations Officer Greg Johansson says that the White Paper sets up a basis for discussion between all parties involved in the fishery, and that the main questions Sanford will be raising with the Government are around:
· the impact on commercial fishing (quota) rights through the Quota Management System; and
· the potential undermining of the foundations of the Quota Management System.
“Sanford, along with other fishing companies and iwi, will be working through their concerns with the Government over the coming months as part of the consultation process,” says Greg Johansson.

“As outlined last year, Sanford’s preference is an approach where both commercial and recreational fishers are equally responsible for recording, monitoring and managing the health of the fishery.

“Auckland has a fishery on its doorstep that is internationally envied. The challenge is how to build on the sound fisheries management approach that already exists and have even more abundance so that this can be shared to benefit all sectors.”

Over the last 30 years commercial fishers have made significant commitments, including catch reductions, to rebuild fish stocks including snapper, in the Hauraki Gulf.

ENDS

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