Hooked Up - Issue 5

HOOKED up ISSUE 5 2016

Diesel -

John Hough Memorial Trophy for Striped Marlin Winning Team www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

New Zealand Sport Fishing Council is the one of the longest serving incorporated organisations representing recreational anglers.

The NZSFC was formed around the IGFA fishing rules and ethics so that a consistent standard could be set when comparing catches.

The NZSFC offers additional records classes for New Zealand records beyond what IGFA offer for juniors and small-fry anglers. We have refined some of the IGFA rules to make them more suitable for our contests.

Our New Zealand based IGFA representatives keep a close liaison between IGFA and NZSFC and have regular input into issues that could affect New Zealand anglers. We have promoted valuable marine research that is internationally respected. This includes the game fish tagging programs for marlin, sharks, tuna and kingfish which now has a history of 17 years of information.

The Council created and continues to support the NZ Marine Research Foundation (NZMRF) for the primary purpose of conducting research on fish species benefiting our membership that could not, or will not be financed by government agencies.

Information from research carried out by the NZMRF has been very valuable when justifying our position in species management. All they have to do is remind themselves, that the majority of what the NZSFC does is for the benefit of individual members rather than equal benefits for each club.

More fish in the sea, better access, water quality, individual legal protection, record recognition, research, advocacy, fishing data collection and dissemination are all individual benefits of belonging to the NZSFC.

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CONTENTS Editorial........................................................4 Executive Profile: Paul Batten.....................6

EDITOR / Dave Lockwood GROUP EDITOR / Colin Kennedy ART

Executive Profile: Deryk Neilson................8

DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson CONTENT ENQUIRIES /

Executive Officer Quarterly Report..............10

Phone Dave on 021 177 1705 or email secretary@nzsportfishing.org.nz

Weighmaster Roundup ....................................16 NZSFC Fishing Committee Report.............22 Fishing Committee Roundup......................24 Legasea Update ...........................................26 Fisheries Research.......................................28 NZFC Committees ......................................34

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Jennifer Liew on 0274 398 100 or email jenniferl@espiremedia.com WEBSITE / www.NZsportfishing.co.nz

This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly. Please think before you print. Thank you!

Fisheries Management Report.....................35 RICHARD LIEW Managing Director

021 123 456

www.espiremedia.com richardl@espiremedia.com

NZACA Alignment .....................................36 NZMRF REPORT .........................................38

www.nzsportfishing.co.nz â—† 3

EDITORIAL

his year we have had a summer fisheries, deemed values and the to celebrate and be thankful for! raft of marine protection and spatial planning processes taking place.

Favourable weather, excellent game fishing, good friends and heaps of customers bragging and buying - Andrea and I could not be happier.

I would like you all to join with me in thanking Dave Lockwood. Dave has given his all since taking on the daunting task of replacing Roz Nelson.

Not only has he administered a near record Nationals event, really well for his first experience, he has also stepped up into our Council Communications Coordination role and taken responsibility for the production of this issue of Hooked Up. The Board and I appreciate the effort you are making Dave and also the strategic thinking you are bringing to the table in terms of how we could better serve and engage with existing clubs and the growing number of clubs asking about becoming affiliated.

I would also like to thank the Fisheries Management Subcommittee and Contractors for the intense phase of submitting to the Review of the Fisheries Act, the Marine Protected Areas Act discussion document, the reviews of four important inshore 4 â—† www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

Board members on the Fisheries Management Subcommittee are feeling the strain. The submissions we are making are all of the highest quality, and you can be proud of the professionalism and depth of analysis we are bringing to the table.

A notable example of this work is the recent deadline for a temporary closure to come into effect on the Astrolabe Reef when the Rena wreck scenario sees closure lifted after five long years. A complex situation that we have submitted on, with skill and respect. Our affiliated clubs most directly affected have expressed appreciation for this work.

Thank you, contractors, for stepping up to a tight deadline with your desks already groaning. All of these submissions are uploaded to the NZSFC website. I recommend you take a few minutes and read some of this work to realise what excellent value Council is delivering for the $2.50 portion of the affiliation levy we allocate each year to this work – go here.

Finally, I want to thank The Minstrel.

On 14 April at Havelock North Primary School, Minstrel will deliver his 1,000th show – that’s right 1,000th!

What a remarkable achievement.

Minstrel, you have earned respect and heartfelt appreciation.

The children of New Zealand have received such valuable insights in the most entertaining and memorable manner possible. This is evidenced by the high proportion of schools that want you back year after year.

This year we are determined to help get you into those less fortunate schools that have not been able to afford the HtK experience. We think it is essential – http://www.hiwithekiwi.co.nz/

Phil Appleyard President New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Inc Mobile: 027 273 0500 www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 5

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Paul Batten Zone 2 Delegate

i, my name is Paul Batten and I have been sober... woops wrong meeting, try again…

Hi, my name is Paul, I am 6 foot tall and a Capricorn... definitely the wrong place and wrong speech!

My first recollection of fishing is off the Devonport Wharf, watching the white-baiters and catching three pannies. Soon, I progressed up to Kontiki fishing off Muriwai Beach, Maraetai and Whatipu. Fast forward to 1976, we were living in Whangarei, we had a 17’6” Hartley trailer boat and often did day trips out from Parua Bay. About the same time, I saw my first Marlin being weighed at Tutukaka and was awestruck.

Instead of buying some Cannabis at high school, I could often be found in my favourite tackle shop of the day – Wilkinson’s Sports Whangarei.

One day I saw a book on New Zealand saltwater fishing and bought it. I’ve 6 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

been hooked line and sinker ever since. For the best part of forty years, I’ve been a saltwater fishing addict, spending all my spare time and energy in the pursuit of piscatorial eloquence. This has included all things fishing, talking, reading, viewing and participation, either as an avid angler or as a committee member putting something back into the sport that I love!

I started my journey on fishing club committees and as a delegate to the NZBGFC when I lived at Tutukaka with the Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers Club back in the early 80’s. Later a shift back into town meant a new club, the Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club in ‘97, and that was followed by a quick stint with the Auckland Sportfishing Club in 2013–2015. I have been the Auckland Region – Zone 2 representative for the past 20 years.

One of the best roles in a fishing club is that of Weighmaster. You get all

the juicy information of who caught what, where and when on this or that lure, information is king in these fishing circles.

I have enjoyed my time on the Tutukaka weigh station, and weighing at the Tauranga One Base in the past and most recently still weighing at the Whangamata Classic and the Houhora One Base. Great places, great people, and even greater fish.

During my fishing career, I have had many highlights, including catching a Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Short Billed Spearfish, and Striped Marlin off the same boat ‘Bwana’. Some standout moments include doing exceptionally well in the 1996 Nationals, winning five sections on Backlash; catching my first Striped Marlin on the Lady Jess back in 1984, and a fantastic trip out of the Taieri River mouth with former board member Warren Joyce where we caught monster Blue Cod and my first Grouper on rod and reel.

The people I have met fishing, the places I’ve been fishing have been very rewarding and I have lifelong friends in special places.

I suppose the most rewarding aspect to fishing, club, and serving on the former NZBGFC (now the NZSFC), was when a photograph of a tagged Marlin and me was on the cover of the New Zealand Big Game Fishing Council’s 50th-anniversary booklet.

Whether fishing off a wharf, in a ‘tinny’, small boat or launch, I am happiest when fishing with a rod in one hand and talking fish with a good bunch of fellow fishers.◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 7

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Deryk Neilsen

Zone 4 Delegate

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came quite late in life to fishing, growing up in inland Taranaki there wasn’t much sea close by. Though my father enjoyed his surfcasting, we didn’t get to do that very often, only on occasions when we visited the Bay of Plenty or the Coromandel. And he didn’t much like boats, or, at least, getting seasick, so we didn’t get to try that either. Even now, I can’t profess to be much of a fisherman, I just enjoy it, in all its forms, both sea and freshwater.

It was only in the late 90’s when I started visiting, and then ultimately moved to Tauranga, that I got to get out fishing on a regular basis. My partner Janice and her late husband Dale Hintz had been members of the Tauranga Big Game Fishing Club since it came ashore in 1989 and fished quite regularly in and around Tauranga, and in the tournaments run by the club.

More importantly, I got to use the magnificent facilities of the club, and got to know many good friends there; I spent time helping with the annual One Base tournament, at that stage, one of the premier tournaments on the game fishing calendar. In those days, we had nearly 1,000 anglers and around 350 boats, a waiting list to get into the tournament and a true One Base style of tournament where boats came back in each day, and there was a huge daily prize giving in the marquee erected on the vacant lot next to the club.

Paul Batten was the Weighmaster for many of those tournaments, until just a couple of years ago.

He’d been doing the tournament for quite some years at that stage and ended up doing some 18 continuous tournaments. I couldn’t help but be impressed with his knowledge.

Peter Campbell was the President of Friends of hers owned an old Tokaanu the club at that stage, Bill Marshall was our NZSFC representative, and built, kauri hulled launch called Sea Breeze, and I was lucky enough to get it wasn’t long after that I got put on many trips out on it, and subsequently the Committee of the Club, with Ian Thomas as President. I’ve always had on many other launches belonging a view that in life, you put back to to members of the Tauranga Sport those things that give to you, and the Fishing Club, as it is now. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 9

Tauranga Sport Fishing Club was one of those things. I’m still there... I’m sure many are sick of me, but that is the way it is.

Though we were one of the larger clubs in New Zealand and one of the five founding clubs of what is now the NZ Sport Fishing Council, our profile had waned as far as Council was concerned. Even from the time that I’d first started fishing out of here, things had changed. We no longer saw the large workups of bait fish, Kahawai and the like; Yellowfin Tuna had become a scarcity, and big pelagic fish were much more difficult to find.

It was obvious that pressures on the fishery were increasing. And so I ended up representing the Club at Zone and ultimately national level. The Club was being asked to contribute to the Kahawai Legal Challenge. We needed to have our say and be involved, and the outcome of that challenge forged an important step in recreational fishing representation.

Now I see a new breed of younger fishermen coming through, and I implore them to become involved before the resource is lost. I have three daughters and six grandchildren; they need to be able to look back at my generation and say at least, that our generation started to recognise and do something about preserving something which is so precious.

The LegaSea initiative, in my view, is one of the most important things we can support. Recreational and customary fishing is not just about those of us who belong to clubs, it’s all of New Zealand. If we can individually encourage our daily contacts to at least support LegaSea, if not join an affiliated club, be involved as a minimum. Oh, the potential! Do I believe that I can step back and say “I’ve done my bit.”, No, I don’t. Have I finished? No chance! Have I been effective in my contribution? Not by my standards, however, I don’t want to be the person who holds on to a position at the expense of allowing newer, Enter Scott MacIndoe and Richard Baker, two people I have huge respect younger, fresher talent to have their chance, and maybe excel in a way that for, and the team behind them. I got I can only dream of. to hear the Bill Marshall’s, the Jill And so, it’s up to my club, and Gray’s, the John Chibnall’s, and the those other clubs in this Zone 4, the Mark Hemmingway’s of New Zealand Magnificent Bay of Plenty, to find that sport fishing, the John Holdsworth’s, Trish Rae’s and the Barry Torkington’s person, those people, to put their of this world with their knowledge and hands up. And I hope, at the end of skill, and understand the need for the this year, I can find a new challenge to move on to.◆ kind of advocacy being put forward.

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WE CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT

PROMOTING F IS H IN G R E S E A R C H FOR FU T U R E A N G L IN G . www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 11

EXECUTIVE OFFICER QUARTERLY REPORT

NZ SPORT FISHING COUNCIL March 2016

By Dave Lockwood, Executive Officer, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council

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Improvements that I would recommend for future tournaments include:

Nationals My first ever Nationals was a steep learning curve for me, as expected.

• Online booking/payment system for clubs/teams/anglers to register for the Tournament in advance.

• An increased promotions budget to promote the event. Something we could engage NZ Fishing News/Fishing. net to assist with. We are well short of what we could achieve in competing numbers. Waka Ama NZ has 5,000 registered members and over 3,000 competing paddlers at their Nationals.

Including over 250 overseas paddlers.

The 2016 Simrad Nationals was the second largest, regarding competing numbers, in its history. The 1,646 anglers and 471 teams entered added to what was a very successful event.

Pre-tournament entries were very light on numbers, as per the norm, most • We only had three overseas anglers. anglers rocked up to the Club the night More effort needs to be made to before the tournament started, with their attract visitors from overseas entry forms. This makes for an incredibly • A live leader board platform that gives busy opening day; loading entrants and anglers up to date information processing results This year we trialled three clubs entering their own catch records; Tairua-Pauanui, Tauranga and Tautuku recorders entered their clubs catch returns. All of the clubs concerned did an excellent job, which aided the prompt release of results each evening.

Thanks must go to Paul Batten for his support in looking after Zone One and Two results.

I would like to organise a working party to review this year’s Nationals and promote improvements for future Nationals. This should include the EO, Fishing Committee, club and angler representation.

• More clubs inputting catch records.

This saves double handling and added potential error.

• A review of how we can collect tag and release catch information from teams that spend multiple days away. Providing all your teams catch information on the last day put added pressure on recorders and clubs.

• A Nationals website program that does not allow the entry of ineligible fish making it full proof against errors.

• Review of the appeals system. All appeals should be made formally through clubs, rather than from individual anglers. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 13

February 2016 Profit & Loss report highlights:

Club Membership • A further offer to the Marlborough Rec Fishers Association for Club Affiliation to the Council is to be made by the Executive Officer.

• A follow-up meeting is to be organised with the Hibiscus Boating Club who have expressed an interest in joining the Council • Hawkes Bay SFC are still indicating their intention to re-join the Council once they have their finances back in order.

Finances Bank accounts as at 11 March: • Cheque: $16.6k • Online Saver: $50.3k • Term Investments: $349k 14 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

• A year to date profit of $69.8k.

YTD budget for this period is $158k surplus • Income is $72k behind budget. This is largely due to the forecasting of Symposium income, which is now expected in March.

• Total Operating Expenses are $17.6k over YTD budget for this period.

This is largely due to the $69.2k advancement payment (unbudgeted) to the NZ Marine Research Foundation and the advancement of their yearly donation (budgeted) that is normally paid in June.

• Other variances are largely forecasting issues. More accurate forecast timing will be provided in the following financial year, using the information from this financial year.

• For an in-depth view of the February 2016 Profit & Loss report, click here.

Sport NZ Affiliation

Procedures Manual This will become a priority in the period between April and June. The aim is to have a comprehensive manual complete by the end of the financial year.

Sponsorship & Funding There has been little development here over the past three months due to the Nationals. A Sponsorship proposal has been forwarded to Toyota, which was received positively. The proposal included a member benefits scheme for clubs and their membership. They indicated they could not assist this financial year, but would like to initiate further discussion towards the end of the year.

An initial meeting was held with Sport NZ Relationship Manager, Dave Knowles.

We are currently not formally recognised as a National Sports Organisation

by Sport NZ. However, they were encouraged to hear we have a large membership base, formal National and Club Sport Fishing competitions, and represent a wider recreational fishing base of 700,000 anglers.

We have been encouraged to apply for formal recognition through their ‘eligibility process’. If we achieve this, it will open the door for further support and funding opportunities from the National Body for Sport. To add weight to our application, we will need support from clubs with their tournament participation numbers.

This will highlight the total number of members who enter into formal sport fishing competitions across the country. ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 15

WEIGHMASTER ROUNDUP

WGFC 2016 One Base

By Paul Batten

were weighed. No one can remember a ‘Barrier tournament cracking double Stunning weather and unprecedented Marlin digits, let alone over 30! The numbers of gamefish. Combine 60% T&R rate is to be commended. that with a massive prize pool and There was also a Spearfish, Yellowfin a bunch of great people and BOOM; Tuna, and some Sharks sporting new that’s a One Base we’ll remember for jewellery (tags). a long time!

This year we had 31 more anglers and The weeks leading into the competition six more boats than the previous year. were ideal, consistent northerly and Many hit the 155, at different times of easterly breezes. Loads of hook ups the day there was a distinct bite time, not far off Barrier and the Mokes, and and the radio ran hot with hook-ups plenty of skippies (until the seiners around 11am to12:30 pm. There was a hoovered them up the week before). buzz at the weigh station because some 112 anglers, on 30 boats tagged and good fish were coming in. Tag cards and released 22 Marlin, and nine Marlin weigh sheets were pouring in.

Auckland Anniversary Weekend

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“

This year we had 31 more anglers and six more boats than the previous year.

“

Snapper

There’s not too many of our One Bases where 20lb isn’t cracked, but this year most people were too busy fending hungry Marlin off.

Simon Ryburn (Swansong) 4.95kg, Tony Fraser (Unreel Obsession) 4.85kg, Gary Bishop (BreakFree) 4.8kg.

No kingfish this year.

First Marlin Captured: Steve Parkes (Game Keeper) One Base T&R Trophy.

Well done to all anglers for surviving the event and congratulations if you caught one of these very cool fish.

Special congratulations to those popping their Marlin cherry, and a warm welcome to our club for all those joining up for this event.

Billfish Division (points): Violator (Logan and Brodie Campbell) 509 points and the One Base Trophy, Bloodshot 314 points, and Lady Jade 300 points.

We are proudly affiliated with the NZ Sportfishing Council, and you’ll see why as you continue to fish with us.

We have ideas and enthusiasm to fix niggles and will continue to build Heaviest Weighted Marlin: Mark on the overwhelming success of this Colville on Assassin, 132kg stripie. event as a chilled but highly competent Mark flew halfway around the world to and rewarding event. Our organising fish this comp, so a chunk of this prize team are solid. The relationship with money (and the $650 Calcutta) will get our sponsors is cherished. You know him part of the way home again! how good it was. Thank you. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 17

WEIGHMASTER ROUNDUP

What a weekend at the W.S. Laurie & Co. WEST COASTER!!

By Paul Batten

The wahoo in the photo is a pending Junior NZ line class record claim for young Marshall Jackson caught with dad on the “C Crazy” weighing in at 26.4kgs well done Marshall and dad

osted by the Manukau Sportfishing Club. We have had some impressive fish come in over the tournament. This afternoon we’ve had stripeys, we’ve 18 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

had a Black Marlin weighed and we’ve even had a very respectable Wahoo weighed for a small fry angler!!!

Thanks to all of our sponsors!!

My stay in Houhora for their 22nd Onebase

By Paul Batten

hat a trip of two tales, two coasts, and plenty of drama. Where do I start?

Well, thanks to the thieving low life’s who destroyed the uplifting briefing night where old friends caught up, by robbing game rods, lure bags and electronics off five boats that night, three visiting boats from Auckland.

lending out lures rigged. All I can say is, “What a Community club!”, now back to the fishing...

The majority of the striped marlin were caught on the west coast, and the majority of the Yellowfin were caught on the east coast. All the blue marlin and spearfish were also caught east. Of the three blue marlin caught east, the Upon hearing this at the boat ramp at heaviest went 219.4kg. It was caught off the ‘Moet’ by Lynda Matthews. Also, 5.30am, the locals rang around and off the ‘Moet’ was the heaviest yellowfin found enough game rods to lend to those who had suffered the loss, even weighing in at 79.80kg by Michael Erceg. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 19

WEIGHMASTER ROUNDUP

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The heaviest broadbill caught east was caught on the visiting vessel ‘Mazzarine’ weighing 104.80kg by local motelier Peter Mould, which was weighed 9.00pm on the Friday night. The heaviest striped marlin was caught out west on a live bait off the ‘Cock & Bull’ weighing 169.80kg by Steve Dyer (the second s/m over 160.00kg weighed for the day.

Sponsors for sharing the love for the club, and competition organiser Deb and her team who are as you read this already planning for 2017 One Base.

The hard luck story went to ‘Shall We’ who played a large black marlin for the best part of a day before losing it at the double just on sunset, a bitter pill to swallow on a fantastic picturesque setting, big thanks to their support team ‘Shogun’ and those on shore.

The event tally; • Albacore = 2 • Blue Marlin = 3 • Broadbill = 1 • Hammerhead = 1 t/r • Kingfish = 2 • Mahimahi = 2 • Mako Shark = 6 t/r • Shortbill = 1 • Snapper = 6 • Striped Marlin = 67 (50 t/r) • Yellowfin Tuna = 24

A huge ‘Houhora’ thanks to the 93 teams (up on last year), the club volunteers, Far North Radio, the

Too bad about the ten fish that missed final cut off. All in all a great Far North event with Far North hospitality. ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 21

FISHING COMMITTEE ROUNDUP

NZSFC Fishing Committee Report

2016 SIMRAD Nationals - The Facts

By Mark Hemingway Chair of Fishing Committee

Sharon Oates’ lovely 76.2kg fish (just 2kg off a new national ladies record) caught on 24kg took the overall honours.

ew Zealand’s largest fishing tournament – the NZSFC 2016 Simrad Nationals has now been done & dusted. 1,646 anglers fishing from 471 teams contested this highly prestigious tournament.

Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club had the most anglers with 282 fishing from 72 teams, followed closely by Waihau Bay with 229 anglers from 62 teams.

The left over cyclonic weather conditions and heavy rain, just before the 22 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

tournament start, made fishing hard in most areas, flooded rivers caused the normal pristine purple/blue water close to shore to turn to an ugly brown or green with a thick layer of fresh water saturating the surface. In saying that, the total fish numbers were slightly up on the previous year.

A welcome return of the elusive Yellowfin Tuna was a highlight. 24 Yellowfin Tuna were weighed and another 41 tagged and released.

2016 Nationals Catch & Tagged Totals Catch Totals - The total number of fish caught (landed) overall by species • Blue Marlin

12

• Broadbill

3

• Striped Marlin 40 • Shortbill Spearfish 6 • Blue Shark

6

• Hammerhead Shark 2 • Mako Shark 5 • Yellowfin

24

• Bluefin

1

• Bigeye

2

• Slender

1

• Skipjack

115

• Albacore

60

• Yellowtail

7

• Kahawai

178

• Snapper

112

• Trevally

58

• Mahimahi

Total 688

56

Tagged Totals - The total number of fish tagged and released overall by species • Black Marlin 2 • Blue Marlin

7

• Broadbill

6

• Striped Marlin 336 • Shortbill Spearfish 8 • Blue Shark

95

• Bronze Whaler 6 • Hammerhead Shark 1 • Mako Shark

87

• Yellowtail

55

• Yellow fin

41

Total 644

For the full results please visit http:// www.nzsportfishing.org.nz/nationals/ results16/ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 23

FISHING COMMITTEE ROUNDUP

NZSFC Fishing Committee Report Review of International Angling Rules & Regulations

By Mark Hemingway - Chair of Fishing Committee

urther, to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) indicating that there will be a summit to review the International Angling Rules and Regulations. The NZ Sport Fishing Council is planning to send Council Representatives, Mark Hemingway and Pete Saul to the IGFA International Angling Rules Summit in July 2016.

In particular, there will be discussion around ‘the challenge of keeping IGFA angling rules relevant as sport

fishing evolves’. This includes recent advancements in tackle (e.g., braid, braid top shotting, etc.) and/or angling techniques.

Our intention is to seek IGFA Rules feedback from our membership prior to the Summit. We welcome any constructive feedback/comments from discussions at the next round of zone meetings, as well as from other club members and life members.

For the IGFA rules review agenda, please click here ◆

Please contact your club delegate if you have any comments 24 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

FISHING COMMITTEE ROUNDUP

NZSFC Fishing Committee Report Tag Pole Length

By Mark Hemingway - Chair of Fishing Committee

few members have expressed their disappointment at the NZSFC fishing committee over the decision to reduce the maximum allowed tag pole length.

We must point out that this decision was made at the 2015 AGM by all clubs in attendance, not the fishing

committee; proper process of the proposed rule change was followed through the zone meetings.

If anyone is upset about this new rule then we encourage you to contact your club or NZSFC delegate to bring forward as discussion through the zone meetings which are held quarterly. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz â—† 25

LEGASEA UPDATE

Community Outreach Fishing for Abundance

By Scott MacIndoe/Trish Rea

The era of sustainable depletion draws to a close.

People from all walks of life are calling for restored abundance. To help people better understand how they can make a difference, LegaSea has been out in the community this summer, sharing ideas about how we can achieve this goal and also how we might fish for abundance.

Our community program kicked off in early January with a fishing workshop at Silo Park in Auckland. LegaSea volunteers spent the afternoon talking with people about best fishing practices and issues affecting the fishing community. It was an excellent opportunity to engage with people from a range of backgrounds about what we can accomplish with more fish in the sea.

LegaSea recently participated in Seaweek 2016. Seaweek, hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE) and supported by a range of government and 26 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

charitable organisations, focuses on inspiring all New Zealanders to renew their connections with the sea. LegaSea participated in beach clean-up activities which resulted in 10,000 litres of trash being collected from around the Manukau Harbour.

LegaSea team members, along with LegaSea volunteers, have attended 16 events since the New Year, presenting to over 2,000 people.

Our major community event for the summer is yet to come. LegaSea will be running educational workshops in early April as part of the Eye on Nature event - an annual initiative of the Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust.

Supported by many of New Zealand’s leading environmental organisations and Auckland Council, the event provides an opportunity for over 1,500 school children to explore the Water for Life theme through educational sessions, games and activities.

LegaSea’s sessions will include

species identification, fish handling and waste awareness.

LegaSea’s Scott Cushman, who has recently joined the LegaSea team taking responsibility for the role of community building, says this is an excellent opportunity to educate young New Zealanders about respecting the coastline and our waters.

Encouraging the next generation to fish respectfully and with minimal wastage is essential for the wellbeing of our fisheries. Involvement in these sorts of educational activities is pivotal to LegaSea’s success.

As the public outreach arm of the NZSFC, LegaSea has been charged with raising awareness of the issues affecting fisheries with people around New Zealand. This means informing fishers about what’s happening in the sector and giving them the tools and knowledge to take action where relevant. However, getting a presence at these events has taken time and effort. It’s taken four years of persistence to gain credibility in the wider environmental community, says Scott. Now that LegaSea and the

concept of fishing for abundance have gained more mainstream recognition, it opens the doors for us to be involved with more community initiatives, allowing us to engage with more people around the country.

More mainstream recognition has also been beneficial for LegaSea’s fundraising arm, with some high profile partners coming on board.

LegaSea’s newest Gold Partner, Honda Marine, has enthusiastically taken on the message. We stand with LegaSea in rebuilding New Zealand’s fishery and value the need to protect and conserve our marine life for the benefit of future generations, says Ian Biddick of Honda Marine.◆

To find out more visit us here and subscribe for updates. Follow LegaSea’s community engagement by liking us on Facebook

www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 27

FISHERIES RESEARCH

Three Striped Marlin Recaptures this Season and the Marlin Tagging Debate

By John Holdsworth

robably safe to say that 2016 will be a pretty good year for Marlin and Tuna. The strong dry westerlies predicted on the back of El Nino have been replaced by warm northerlies and reasonable fishing weather on both coasts.

The first striped marlin recapture this season was caught by ‘Kane O’Reilly’, 20n miles NE off the Aldermans on 12 February. This fish had been tagged on 16 January off Whangamata, the tag was under the skin by the dorsal fin and was not found until it was being cut up. The fish had been at liberty for 392 days and was estimated 80kg on release and weighed 90.4kg. This is the fifth recapture from the 95 overall that have been caught in New Zealand in the following season.

A day later another Striped Marlin was recaptured off Mercury Bay by John Rose. This fish had been caught 28 days earlier by Trudy Batson about 10 miles 28 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

south and was estimated to be 80kg.

The third recapture was made north of Whangaroa on 26 February by Mark Sorenson – caught on a live bait and circle hook in 40 minutes. The fish was estimated to weigh 70kg, was retagged and released. Bevan Murcott caught and tagged this fish 20 days earlier at the Poor Knights Rise, about 70n miles from where it was recaught.

So it appears that this season, some Striped Marlin are staying within range of sport fishers, even after being caught and tagged.

Gamefish tagging tends to polarise viewpoints, particularly when marlin are concerned. Anglers and skippers who don’t tag have a list of reasons why.

Reasons which generally do not stand up to scrutiny. Anglers and skippers who passionately support tagging also have some misguided ideas, though. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons to debate the value of tagging Marlin.

ARGUMENT NO. 1 Marlin must be tagged for conservation reasons The primary objective of the Marlin tagging program is not conservation, the object of tagging Marlin in New Zealand is to learn more about their distribution and movement. The fact that tagging allows anglers to practice conservation is a by-product of the program, not its objective. These are separate issues. The number of Marlin caught annually by recreational fishers in New Zealand is likely to be of little consequence to the Southwest Pacific Striped Marlin stock.

In comparison with commercial catches of Marlin elsewhere in the Southwest Pacific, the 600 to 700 Marlin taken by anglers here each year is almost irrelevant as far as the total stock is concerned. So, it’ s not just about conservation.

ARGUMENT NO. 2 We need to tag all Marlin less than 90kg in weight because they should have the chance to breed before we catch them, the same as for other species like Snapper or Kingfish The 90kg weight limit adopted by most clubs is not related to sexual maturity. In fact, most Striped Marlin are capable of breeding by the time they reach 75kg with males maturing

much earlier than females. The size was chosen arbitrarily when an examination of the Bay of Islands historical catch records showed that if all Striped Marlin up to 90kg were tagged and released, this would approximate a 50% tag rate, in line with the 1987 request from the Minister of Fisheries when the Billfish Moratorium was implemented.

In other words, the 90kg limit was one way to fulfil the NZ Sport Fishing Council’s part of the deal that allowed foreign longlining to be restricted and later ousted from the EEZ. It was a politically-based decision, not a biologically-based one. We are not tagging immature fish with the aim of allowing them to return to distant spawning grounds, to make some future contribution to the numbers of Marlin that later return to New Zealand. Of course, every fish that is tagged and released does have a chance to contribute to future generations, but we shouldn’t get all hung up about the exact size. An 80kg Striped Marlin isn’t ‘small’ any more than a 90kg one is ‘acceptable’. Most people who tag Marlin are fishing outside of contests, and they do so because they want to regardless of size.

At present, many other people do not tag at all, or only seldom do. Our challenge is to make more people realise that tagging is worthwhile. This is easy in contests, because the points strongly favour tagging, and penalise anyone weighing marlin under 120kg. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 29

ARGUMENT NO. 3 Marlin do not survive the tag and release process.

Actually, they mostly do. It’s not the tagging process that affects fish (if correctly performed) but the playing process. The survival question has been debated for years.

There are two separate issues raised in this argument: the survival of marlin caught on rod and reel; and the survival of Marlin caught on commercial Tuna long lines. Firstly, rod and reel Marlin: There is very good reason to believe that most Marlin mouth-hooked and handled properly will easily survive if tagged and released. Proper handling does not include removing a Marlin from the water or holding its head out of the water for long periods while the hook is retrieved or photographs taken.

I like to compare pulling a Marlin out of the water before release to grabbing an athlete immediately after they have run a marathon, and holding them underwater for two minutes. If you think about it, this is so obvious it should not need to be pointed out to anyone. The fact that tag recoveries are made at all proves some Marlin do indeed survive. Over 70 Striped Marlin tagged in New Zealand have been recaptured since the program began here, with three already in the current season. If that 30 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

doesn’t convince you, there is hard scientific proof.

Acoustic tagging experiments were conducted off California, in which Striped Marlin were caught on rod and reel, tagged, and tracked for periods of up to two days. The conclusions of this experiment included the observation that Striped Marlin exhibited erratic behaviour for up to two hours after release, after which activity returned to what the researchers termed ‘normal’. Tagged Marlin, while being tracked, were observed to feed with other fish, freejump and tail downwind, again with other untagged Marlin.

Included in Marlin that were successfully tracked was one that had thrown its stomach out during the fight and another that came to the boat completely exhausted. Satellite tags used here in New Zealand and elsewhere have conclusively demonstrated the ability of Striped Marlin to survive catch and release. Twenty-seven Striped Marlin were successfully tagged between 2005 and 2008. All were caught using normal sport fishing methods, on rod and reel with lures. These fish all moved away from the scene of their tagging quite quickly, with some travelling great distances, while others turned back towards the tagging location after a time. Fish were selected on the basis that they were mouth hooked only and not bleeding from the gills at the time of release.

ARGUMENT NO. 4 When you let a tagged Marlin go, it will be eaten by Sharks Actually, one of the satellite tagged Marlin was eaten by a Shark.

Unfortunately for this argument, however, the event happened about two weeks after tagging, far from the tagging location when the fish was apparently migrating North. This suggests that Sharks do eat Marlin, but as part of their regular diet, not because the fish is supposedly tired after tag and release.

ARGUMENT NO. 5 We might as well take them because otherwise the longliners will New Zealand has a small number of Tuna longliners, who are compelled by law to release any Marlin they catch. Estimates of survival for Striped Marlin caught on New Zealand longlines are extremely high – around 80% or more.

Certainly, since New Zealand commercial fishers have been obliged to release all their Marlin, large numbers of Marlin have been caught in the recreational fishery with Tuna hooks and varying lengths of trace in their jaws. If these fish had been tagged before release, a

large number of them would have been tag recoveries. Commercial fishers I have spoken to believe that Striped Marlin hooked on longlines quickly settle down after the initial panic, and because the snoods are of considerable length – and widely spaced apart – there is enough slack in the line to allow them to swim in big circles without becoming exhausted.

In fact, some fishers claim that Marlin survive far better on longlines than they do on recreational lines. To allay a further fear raised about Tuna longlining – namely that “there is a large amount of Tuna and Broadbill long-lining going on off our shores” – the level of fishing now is a small fraction of what it was when the foreign boats were still fishing.

There are currently around 40 New Zealand vessels operating, and these are mostly small boats catching fish for the fresh-chilled market. The foreign vessels were freezer boats that fished every day regardless of weather, operated as a fleet (sharing information), set vastly more hooks each set, and released nothing of value. There is simply no comparison.

In summary, there is a sound basis for believing that most mouthhooked Marlin survive being played and released, provided they are handled correctly. www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 31

ARGUMENT NO. 6 Marlin tagging is destroying the popularity of Marlin fishing and is directly responsible for reduced charters There is no doubt that a fish on the weigh station is a great attraction to tourists, despite the emotions it may arouse in those new age earth huggers who sometimes gather around in order to horrify themselves. Unfortunately, there is a developing culture throughout the Marlin fishery where some people feel they have the right to publicly ridicule anglers who choose to weigh a Marlin less than 90kg in weight (I have already covered why the 90kg limit was introduced).

The fundamental problem with having such a limit is that you have no control over what size of fish you hook. Then, various things can go wrong eg; the fish may become tail-wrapped, be foul hooked, or the angler may lack the expertise, coordination or strength needed to bring the fish to the boat alive.

For an inexperienced fisher, a 70kg Marlin is by no means a ‘small’ fish as it is for someone who has seen and caught many Marlin. Having said that, there are small fish and there are very small ones. If you want to eat a very small marlin, why bring it to the weigh station and embarrass yourself and the club?

Just cut it up and take it home.

32 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

I believe that most people would choose to tag and release without a minimum size, but that is a matter for the NZSFC and individual clubs to workout. In years like this, where sea temperatures are warmer than usual, the number of Marlin under 70kg is much higher than usual. Even if 50% of the marlin are tagged and released, there will inevitably be ‘small’ Marlin brought ashore for food. Everyone needs to contribute to the 50% tagging objective, but nobody has to sacrifice their only Marlin of the year unless they choose to do so.

In summary, the argument that tagging is responsible for a perceived decline in the popularity of Marlin fishing is ridiculous.

ARGUMENT NO. 7 Tagging is cruel Hogwash! Marlin tagging is not cruel, although you can argue that Marlin fishing is. Having said that, how can sticking a small tag into a fish that routinely carries copepod parasites at least as big, be crueller than sticking two large stainless steel gaffs in the same fish and dragging it out of the water? Tagging a Marlin is a lot less cruel than killing it. If catch and release is not permissible, how can you argue in favour of any kind of fishing at all? All size limits should be abolished if catch and release is not acceptable, since returning undersized fish to the water would be just as ‘cruel’.

“

There are still many aspects of the life history of Marlin that remain mysterious. For that reason, there definitely is a need to continue tagging Marlin. We all have an obligation to tag and release when possible.

CONCLUSION There are still many aspects of the life history of Marlin that remain mysterious. For that reason, there definitely is a need to continue tagging Marlin. We all have an obligation to tag and release when possible.

Leaving out those people who do not wish to release their fish, for whatever reason, I believe there are still more than enough people who want to do it to satisfy our obligation to the former Minister of Fisheries, who defied his Government to go out to bat on our behalf.

ridiculous excuses that simply do not hold up. The survival of Marlin that are being tagged is not guaranteed, but there is an excellent reason to believe that the great majority do well after release.

For sure, there is no chance of survival if the fish is gaffed – if you want one to eat, do that and enjoy it.

Everyone knows how much these fish cost to catch. Just don’t take more than you need.

Archival satellite tag technology is a fine addition to our knowledge of Marlin habits and movement, but its expense means that it will If you choose not to tag at all, then remain in the realm of planned let’s face it, you are getting a free ride scientific investigations in the on the coattails of everyone else, and foreseeable future. Conventional you need to seriously consider making tagging is still the best means more of an effort to contribute. of studying the distribution and movement of the Marlin that visit At the end of the day, you have to us each summer. In the meantime, I make that decision yourself – but suggest you keep tagging.◆ don’t try and justify it by repeating www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 33

NZSFC COMMITTEES FOR 2015/16

NZFC COMMITTEES Fisheries Management Committee

Member Benefits

P Campbell, W Bicknell, M Connor, S Macindoe, L Avenell, R Baker are the Fisheries Management Committee for 2015/16.

P Appleyard, D Nielsen, W Bicknell, E Beetham and D Lockwood are the Member Benefit Committee for 2015/16.

Finance Committee K Mowat, P Appleyard, P Campbell and Dave Lockwood are the Finance Committee for 2015/16.

Governance Committee B Gutsell, K Mowat, D Nielsen and J Chibnall are the Governance Committee for 2015/16

Fishing Committee P Appleyard, B Gutsell, P Saul, P Batten, W Harris, M Hemingway, M Connor and D Lockwood are the Fishing Committee for 2015/16.

Communications B Gutsell, K Mowat, P Batten, S MacIndoe, R Baker and D Lockwood are the Communications Committee for 2015/16 34 â—† www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

Hiwi the Kiwi P Appleyard, K Mowat, L Avenell, P Campbell, R Baker, E Mackay and D Lockwood are the Hiwi the Kiwi Committee for 2015/16.

Special Purpose Appointments Government Liaison M Connor P Appleyard Business Plan

D Lockwood

IGFA/Fisheries

P Saul

Safety Plan W Harris L Avenell Youth M Hemingway Water Safety NZ

E Beetham

Media Spokesperson R Baker LegaSea S Macindoe Hiwi the Kiwi

E Mackay â—†

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT REPORT March 2016 By Peter Campbell

t has been an intense few months for the Fisheries Management team responding to a range of issues spanning both fisheries management and marine protection.

Specifically, comprehensive submissions have been made on the following topics: • • • • • •

3nmiles of Astrolabe Reef. The Council submission was shared with the BOP clubs, who also shared their drafts with the fisheries team so our key messages could be aligned.

Both the Fisheries system review in December 2015 and the Marine Fisheries system review.

Protected Areas Act consultation December 2015. between January and March this year Coromandel scallops. February 2016. generated a lot of discussion, research and compilation of vital information, Surf clam 7. February 2016. all of which contributed to a couple of Crayfish review. February 2016. substantial submissions that Council Deemed value review. club members would be proud of.

February 2016.

We recommend you download the Marine Protected Areas Act. submissions, find yourself a quiet spot in March 2016. the sun and have a read.

• Proposed closure of Astrolabe Reef for customary purposes.

March 2016.

These submissions are online and available for download at the NZSFC website. Thanks to the Bay of Plenty clubs for their early notice that they wanted NZSFC support for their submission in response to the application by tangata whenua for a section 186A closure around

While we continue to raise objections to tight consultation timeframes, these latest processes have enabled us to gather our collective wisdom then write up the issues in one document, in a simple, no nonsense manner.

We are grateful to everyone who has contributed their time and experiences to ensure the Council submissions are meaningful and continue to advocate for restored abundance in our marine environment. ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 35

NZACA ALIGNMENT

NZACA Inc PO Box 13-511 Onehunga Auckland 1643.

8th March 2016 To: The President NZ Sport Fishing Council Dear Phil, On behalf of the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association I wish to convey our appreciation to the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and in particular, the Fisheries Management Group and the LegaSea team. The support and welcome that has been extended to my colleagues and I could not have been more warm and sincere.

It has been a privilege to be leading our organisation into this alliance and it is also much appreciated to be accepted at your table. We are very impressed by the Council’s depth of knowledge and your ability to reduce the fisheries management and marine protection discussions down to plain language and logical analysis. Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge the effort that NZSFC makes to develop policy to guide submissions. More recently, we have come to appreciate the Preliminary View documents you circulate. These help us to better understand the importance of the matters being debated. This courtesy and professionalism is simply superb. The opportunity to stand alongside the Council in the development of these submissions is humbling.

I need to acknowledge that other than putting our name on such Submissions and noticeably offering our full support, the NZACA does not contribute financially. It has been discussed and approved to become supportive, in this way, in the near future.

As you are aware the NZACA has been on a rebuild and on that note we now have over 20 clubs affiliated which is well up on the low point of only nine clubs. We have stabilised our financial position and are now dealing with the many things that have fallen by the way that need to be addressed and replaced. I can advise we are on track to be a fully functional organisation in the near future. All this has come by way of a great group of people around me forming our Executive.

Thank you once again for your support and the opportunity to work alongside you as a strong ally now and into the future.

Yours in fishing Jim Yeoman President NZACA

36 â—† www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

BOAT SAFETY

BAR CROSSINGS n light of the recent number of boating accidents crossing bars, it’s a good time to remind our membership to be safe out there.

Maneuvering through bars requires a certain amount of knowledge & skill.

If you are unsure - seek advice from experienced skippers. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.

knowledge of some of New Zealand’s most dangerous bars.

For further information click on the following links: • https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=uNTk2IejfFE

• http://www.waikatoregion.govt. nz/Services/Regional-services/ Navigation-safety/Rules-andThere are also excellent online resources available that give skippers in depth Safety/Safe-bar-crossings/ ◆

www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 37

NZMRF REPORT

What’s Fishing Worth?

he question is simple; the answer has proven problematic.

In the early 1990’s it was commonly anecdotally quoted that each marlin caught or tagged cost $10,000. If you looked at the effort to catch a marlin back then, no one ever questioned the figure as being outlandish. However, we never really knew.

When the foundation was formed in 1999, we were specifically asked by the NZSFC to find a value for Marlin fishing 38 ◆ www.nzsportfishing.co.nz

in New Zealand. This project (completed in the 2000-2001 season) offered $65m worth of expenditure per year, working out to be $25,000 per fish.

All this made us think further and query the overall whole of our recreational fishing activity, from someone fishing off a wharf to put food on the table, to the overseas angler who travels first class to New Zealand, stays in exclusive lodges and hires a top of the line boat complete with a guide for the week.

In 2010, it was, in fact, the NZSFC that again specifically asked the foundation to find a value to recreational fishing in NZ. At their failed attempt to find value, we knew and learnt from MFish (as it was called back then) after spending $1m NZ taxpayers’ dollars for the document.

business – nearly $1B in expenditure and $1.7B in economic activity. If we were a public company, we would rank in the top 40 on the NZSE. The numbers keep dropping out, with over 8,000 directly employed and 100,000 tourists each year. The Government will smile on the GST and income tax generated.

This document saw little light due to the methods, results and technical language used not being readily accepted by the decision makers. We further confirmed this with another project in 2011/12 that set out to find a method that would find acceptance.

The most important fact in all of this is that we do it with just 6% of the available take of the resource. You will read plenty in the next few months on this project and the results it has delivered, it will indeed empower advocates for recreational marine fishing.

It wasn’t until early 2015 that we finally found acceptance on what we needed to know; jobs, GST, direct expenditure, income tax, tourism and economic activity. We then found Southwicks Associates from the USA, a company that had previous international experience in doing similar marine recreational fishing projects in other countries.

Well after 13 months, results were announced on 21 March, with the public report showing we are a billion-dollar

In a nutshell, we have finally cracked it!

And those Marlin? Well, the report doesn’t itemise them separately but groups gamefish together i.e., Marlin/Shark/Tuna.

We now spend $225m chasing them, individually making them very expensive fish, releasing more than half of them by you as Anglers. That’s certainly giving you, and NZ, an absolute pinnacle example of sustainable best practice use of a resource. ◆

To find the public report on line go to http://www.nzmrf.org.nz/

www.nzsportfishing.co.nz ◆ 39