Thursday 22 March 2007

Kahawai decision good for recreational fishers - Copeland

United Future fisheries spokesperson Gordon Copeland is delighted that the High Court has ruled Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton must reconsider the catch limits and allocations of kahawai stocks.

"This is a very good result for recreational fishing and all those who enjoy and partake in this activity," said Mr Copeland.

"Kahawai is an extremely important recreational species and has traditionally been a valuable food source for many New Zealanders. It is very encouraging to have the High Court finally recognise this.

"United Future has lobbied the Government very hard for a number of years to have the interests of recreational fishers acknowledged equally alongside commercial interests.

"United Future supports the Recreational Fishing Council, the Big Game Fishing Council and other groups who have argued that the interests of recreational fishers should be considered before setting the commercial quota.

"We strongly believe that New Zealanders have the right to fish for fun and to provide food for their table. In recent times this right has been eroded away by decreasing recreational fish stocks.

"United Future hopes that the Shared Fisheries consultation currently underway will reflect the importance of recreational fishing to New Zealanders by prioritising the recreational and customary quotas first and foremost," concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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