Marlborough Anglers want Snapper Justice

In submissions to government the Marlborough Recreational Fishers Association (MRFA) has backed raising the recreational bag limit on snapper for the Marlborough Sounds from three to six and thus rectify a gross mis-justice 16 years ago.

In 1997 the recreational bag limit for snapper was slashed to three with no corresponding reduction in commercial or customary. That move was carried out in a dictatorial manner say anglers. Besides recreational anglers had not depleted the fishery says MRFA.

"It is most unlikely in view of that, that recreational fishers have had any significant impact on stocks, compared to commercial fishing and the 1990s malpractice of "beach seining" of spawning snapper that was then carried out by customary fishers."

But now the ministry in a position paper has offered besides the status quo, a second option to increase the Marlborough Sounds recreational bag limit to five (5).

However, the association has suggested an immediate increase to six (6). Nelson anglers west of French Pass have a 10 snapper bag limit.

"It is unreasonable to expect the people of Marlborough to bear the full brunt of rebuilding the Snapper 7 fishery when it was excess commercial exploitation that caused the damage and depletion of this fishery in the first place," said the Marlborough Recreational Fishers' Association.

The reduction in 1997 angered anglers since

• The reduction was not based on sound research or data
• The reduction was not matched by a corresponding reduction in the commercial quota
• The reduction was driven through in an undemocratic and dictatorial manner at a stormy meeting attended by over 200 and chaired by a member of the Sea Fisheries Industry Council.

The submission to government said the people of the Marlborough Sounds and those who enjoy snapper fishing in the "Top of the South" are far more important than supplying a low-value Sydney fish market where 25 to 29 cm snapper are sold for $10 per kilo. Those fish deserve to be left alone to grow, breed and provide for the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of our children and theirs said the submission.

Irrespective of the bag limit set, the Marlborough Recreational Fishers' Association strongly promotes the ethic of only taking enough fish for immediate needs. “Don’t kill your limit, limit your kill," is increasingly practised by recreational anglers.

Voluntary measures are far more effective than regulation.

The association sees an urgent need for research, soundly based, on snapper populations within the Marlborough Sounds and "Top of the South."

ENDS

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