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Recreational Fishers Get Chance to Participate in Shared Fisheries Goals with Minister

13 July 2006

The New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council (NZRFC) conference to be attended by Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton in Hamilton this week, will be a further opportunity for advances towards shared fisheries immediately after the success of the ‘Kingfish Go Wild’ initiative, said NZRFC President Keith Ingram.

Jim Anderton described the ‘Kingfish Go Wild’ initiative – a joint project between fishing company Sanford Ltd’s and the NZRFC as ‘a great day for the relationship between our recreational and commercial fishing industries.’

"This is an example of how two sectors – commercial and recreational – can work together toward the ministry's goal of shared fisheries," Jim Anderton said.

"The Shared Fisheries Project is a crucial initiative that supports improved fisheries management over the next few years and work on the policy has moved into a new phase. It will include substantial opportunities for stakeholder input and this conference is timely in bringing the NZRFC members together to address the significant issues that are important to your organisation.

"I know the council members and others are actively representing a very large sector as fishing is our most popular participatory recreational sport. You are making a positive contribution and I am looking forward to the discussion during the conference," Jim Anderton said.

The NZRFC is a confederation of fishing clubs and is actively involved in recreational fishing interests, Mr Ingram says.

“This is a very important conference for anyone involved or interested in the future of our fisheries, but it is especially important that recreational people don’t miss an opportunity to participate in what that future is going to be. We have a Minister who is engaged and interested, we have other sectors willing to collaborate and move forward together – we have to ensure that the recreational people come along, too.

“‘Kingfish Go Wild’ was a fairly spectacular example of collaboration towards shared fisheries and I hope it proves to be a springboard for what can be achieved for us all in the future. I’m keen to see some further opportunities come out of this conference.” The 'Fish for the Future' conference is to be held 14th-16th July at the Hamilton Airport Motor Inn. Registrations begin from 9am. For the Conference Programme and Registration Form please see attachments.

ENDS

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