Seafood Industry Heartened By Government Decision On Fourth Schedule.

New Zealand Seafood Industry Council chairman Dave Sharp said today, that the industry was reasonably heartened by the Government’s decision to defer a decision on the Fourth Schedule issue.

Fisheries Minister John Luxton today announced that as a result of the Primary Production Select committees deliberations on the Fisheries Amendment Bill it was clear that there was “insufficient time to give proper consideration to the issues surrounding the Fourth Schedule.”

The Seafood Industry has sought compensation for fishermen who will lose fishing rights as a result of a range of species being moved into the quota management system.

Under the Maori Fisheries Settlement 20 percent of the Fourth Schedule species will go to Maori as they become part of the quota management system.

The government had previously indicated it was not willing to compensate fishers for the loss of their quota and had included a clause legislating against any compensation deal in the Fisheries Amendment Bill. .

“The industry believe that there is only one decision the government can make and that is to compensate the fishermen for a loss of what is in effect a property right,” Mr Sharp said.

“Industry will not be changing its views on the matter but it is clear that the Government is now willing to consider the issue of compensation. We look forward to continued dialogue with government during the next few months with a view to reaching a fair and just solution.”

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