April 2016 by Fishing and Outdoors newspaper

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FISH TODAY FOR TOMORROW Distributed New Zealand wide - PO Box 10580, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3240 - Phone 07 855 1833 - Email mail@fishingoutdoors.co.nz

Cadmium - the unspoken danger in our waterways - By Graham Carter

Map shows the areas on Waikato land affected by various levels of cadmium.

As Kiwis we love to get away from the city lights and take time out on the banks of a stream to fish and relax. Our rivers and lakes are our heritage, they need to stay and be kept in pristine condition for future generations. It is our personal responsibility to ensure this happens, especially while the government and local councils are extremely slow to react or to take action against pollution of all types, and regularly denigh pollution events, as large corporations, which are huge ratepayers, are responsible, But our rivers and lakes are also the places where much of what we put on our land ends up. With the intensification of farming practises, comes the problem of the run off from fertilisers,’ mainly nitrogen and phosphate. These fertilisers have created some major problems for us. Most would say the

waterways are not quite what they used to be. Anyone fishing in the 60’s and 70’s would agree with me that our waterways have become heavily polluted. Then you get policitians who say its acceptable and Recently, information on cadmium (heavy metal) levels on land, bordering some streams and rivers came across my desk, this was a new one on me, but apparently those in the know have been aware of this chemical problem since the mid 1990’s. So I began to read up on Cadmium. Here are some interesting points. In the Waikato for example, 160,000 hectares should now be officially labelled as contaminated were it not for the fact that changes to legislation in 2012 removed agricultural land from any contamination classification. Ref: Cadmium Accumulation in Waikato Soils Report: TR 2005/51, Author: Nick Kim. “Cadmium can have serious effects

on health if ingested at high enough doses. The renal cortex appears to be the most sensitive target tissue in humans, resulting in chronic kidney failure. Osteomalacia [softening of the bones] is also seen. Toxicity is in part due to cadmiums extremely long half-life in mammalian systems, being about 15 years in human kidneys, so a steady state would be achieved in 45 – 60 years of exposure [WHO, 2010b]. The ICRC has classified cadmium as carcinogenic to humans [Group 1] [IARC, 1993].” Ref: 2009 New Zealand Total Diet Study. The amount of Cadmium in superphosphate is higher than that of our trading partners. A briefing paper obtained under the Official Information Act, states: Cadmium accumulation in soils is linked to the use of phosphate fertilisers. - There is evidence that cadmium levels in New Zealand soils is increasing. - Cadmium accumulation in agriculture soils should be recognised as an emerging issue. It is with concern now that there seems to cadmium found in some of our shellfish harvested from our shores. The vast amount of cadmium obviously is coming from the phosphates that is being applied in quantity onto our farms. There is quite good evidence that from those in the industry that between 30 and 40 tonne of pure cadmium is applied to our country each and every year, some of which is ending up in the rivers and lakes, which are our recreational areas. This is a contamination which we do not need nor will we tolerate it. It is a poison. So who makes this product in New Zealand? Superphosphate is manufactured in two plants in the North Island, Mt Maunganui and near Napier. Both of these areas are adjacent to our ocean fisheries. Can the companies concerned give us an assurance that none of the cadmium in the manufacturing of superphosphate is lost into the seabed? It would be helpful to have assurance that cadmium isn’t being discharged on to the seabed. But the main fertilizer companies referred us to the Cadmium Management Group who haven’t answered our questions! The government, Councils, Ravendown and Ballance are aware of

the seriousness of cadmium presence in our soils and waterways! It is believed that soil readings are being taken from areas where cadmium readings are low and used to set the average, which in itself is misleading. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment. Humans are exposed to cadmium mostly through plantderived food. There is no safe margin of cadmium exposure and the need to lower human exposure is desperate. Cadmium produces a number of health problems and is a known carcinogen. Should we be concerned – absolutely! Would you consume food or eat a fish or shellfish, knowing that its source is likely to be highly contaminated with a heavy metal? We put a series of questions to Dr Gerald Rhys, Chair of the Cadmium Management Group, MPI. We will discuss his answers in the next issue, if he answers. It is also interesting to note that Fish and Game are investigating Cadmium in ducks, to ascertain any relevance to the drastic demise of the wild duck population. Rob Donald, Science Manager, Bay of Plenty Regional Council

stated: “We currently do not undertake water testing for cadmium.” Marlborough District Council reported that no definitive cause was established for recent eel deaths and said they don’t test for cadmium. While the Waikato Regional Council would like to know where we sourced our information, as they are unaware of the purported cadmium issues in the Waikato! The answers that we have been getting to our queries on Cadmium levels in our soils and harbouring sediment in our waterways, are pretty much what we would have expected.I would have hoped that one or two would have been a bit more honest about the issues but, these guys are pretty good at repeating the agreed mantra.For legal reasons we cannot go district by district and give out the names of farmers who have high levels of Cadmium in their soils.The relevant material has been presented to the Ministers drawing their attention to the issue and their fix was to simply change the rules to ensure that farmers in the Waikato did not have their farms declared ‘contaminated land’.A couple of years ago Campbell Live devoted a significant amount of time on TV to the Cadmium is-

sue and nothing came of that either. There are also many scientists who are really concerned about the damage we are doing to our soils. They will not speak publicly and nor will anyone else and this is the nature of the problem. The official story according to those in the industry, is that we are inside the legal guidelines for Cadmium. While this is now true, simply because those guidelines have been set at a level to accommodate the buildup of cadmium in our soils, it hasn’t always been this way. The fact that this is much higher than allowed in Europe and other countries is a matter for huge concern but our government is seemingly very content for this to remain so. Our politicians have been informed of these matters but, will not move. The only way to get the Cadmium issue addressed is for it to be publicised as far and widely as possible until the government is shamed into action by public opinion. Even then they will no doubt say the publicity will endanger our valuable agricultural exports!!! Business is business and the health and well-being of our land and people seems to be not near as important as corporate profits.

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Good Sales at Boat Expo The weather gods were very kind for the inaugural Waikato Boat Expo over last weekend. The Expo was held at the Base Te Rapa, and was a huge success according to the Expo Organizers. We have already started planning the next Expo, as exhibitors have rebooked the same sites they had this year, says spokesperson Bruce Smith and $2500 was raised to support the Raglan Coastguard. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings saw reasonable numbers coming through the gates, which was

sufficient for exhibitors to spend quality time with potential buyers. Most boat retailers have a good number of leads to follow-up and several have good sales on the day. Xpress Trailers spokesperson Stuart said they sold three trailers and were very happy with the event. Aakron Boats from Auckland the platinum sponsors of the Expo had good sales, Lloyd Darroch has committed to sponsorship for the next years event, along with Fullon Fishing and Equip Outdoors, both local popular fishing and camp-

ing retailers had a great weekend. Seaforce Marine, Master Tech and Sportscraft Boats have many sales interest calls to follow-up and have expressed enthusiasm for next years event. The event will again become a regular event on the calendar for the Waikato region with interest in next years event coming along strong from exhibitors that were unable to make this years event. Event organizers expressed thanks to the public and exhibitors that attended and appreciate the loyalty and commitment to displaying their quality boats to Waikato mariners.

Eye on the Sounds Boaties who want to check weather in the Marlborough Sounds will soon be able to log on to the Marlborough District Council website to see what the conditions are like before heading out. The information will be fed back in real time from high definition cameras located throughout the Sounds. Deputy Harbour Master Luke Grogan says a trial phase using

Captain Grogan says the footage would help to indicate where more speed signs, 5-knot buoys or harbour patrols might be needed. three cameras positioned at Tory If the trial is successful, the Channel entrance will be under- plan is to consult Sounds usway by the Easter holiday weekend. ers to work out whether there “Our priority is to get better informa- are any other locations where tion out to boaties in the interests of more cameras could be located. water safety but the footage should “The great thing about these also help us to get a better idea of cameras is that they are portboatie behaviour out on the water.” able so can be easily shifted beBoat speeds in the Queen Charlotte tween locations as demands Sound have been a consistence change,” says Captain Grogan. source of complaint over summer.

Late back from hunting or fishing? Have you been late back from your hunting or fishing trip lately and had to cover your butt. Well now it’s even easier as an Auckland business entrepreneur has launched the first of its kind online florist website which is benefitting New Zealand florists and the public wanting to buy flowers. Sri Kalakota, an experienced ecommerce professional passionate about web technologies, is having significant success with www. eflowerexpert.com to provide better deals for florists and customers. “Having worked with gifting ecommerce industry for some times,

Fishing and Outdoors PO Box 10580, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3240 Ph 07 8551833 Editor Graham Carter mail@fishingoutdoors.co.nz 021 02600437 Graphics: Astro Creative Photography: Sandi Tuan Regular Writers: Graham Carter James Speedy Ben Hope Frank Henry Dick Featherstone Tony Orman Rhys Smith John McNab Fishing and Outdoors is published by Ashwood Grove Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the contributors, editor, staff and management or directors of Ashwood Grove Ltd. ISSN 1179-5034 Unsolicitored editorial, letters, photographs will only be returned if you include a stamped, self addressed envelope. www.fishingoutdoors.org Copyright © 2011 Fishing Outdoors Newspaper, All Rights Reserved. Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/Fishingoutdoors

I know the way industry works. I found that real florists who are behind the scenes should be acknowledged and there is a potential problem that needs to be solved. The flower industry has been dominated by large companies for years. “I am confident that eflowerexpert.com will start solving this problem and bring more business to local florists who can’t afford advertising or marketing costs. Being on our platform helps businesses get more brand awareness and increased revenues due to global nature of the business. For New Zealand NZ florists who live in small towns, rural area or cities we can promote their brand without costing them anything. He says eflowerexpert.com provides the perfect platform for florists around New Zealand to join up for free and get more business directly from customers without having to own a website or market their brand.

The eFlowerexpert.com website is a New Zealand based first peer to peer online market place for florists. Their platform enables customers to shop directly with local florists to bring them more business and create greater brand awareness. “The whole concept of eflowerexpert.com is about trying to disrupt the online flower industry. We are the only company in the world doing this. I am proud that this has started in New Zealand “Florists power our website and have freedom to choose their own price. Customers can contact florists with the messaging tool that’s built into the system. It’s a win-win situation for customers and florists who get visibility across the world.” What anglers and hunters need now is a website that will help the smaller fishing and hunting stores, that are dominated and manipulated by the larger retail chains, that they are unable to compete with.

More information on marlin heads Inquiries made by MPI about marlin heads found on Muriwai Beach revealed they are almost certainly linked to recreational fishing activity over the weekend. Ministry for Primary Industries District Compliance Manager Manukau, Jacob Hore said fishery officers started making inquiries about the heads when contacted by the Herald recently. “Fishery officers established that there had been a club sports fishing competition in the area. Also, as the conditions were perfect for launching boats on the west

The Elderly Irish Virgin

coast over the weekend, there were also a lot of non-club recreational fishers out targeting marlin. “We were able to establish that no commercial boats that might have caught marlin as unintended by-catch were in the area.” “We also spoke to the fishing club who will be reminding their members to sensibly dispose of fish waste.” “The key aspect in this case is that if we had been given the opportunity to make inquiries at the time, we could have put any concerns to rest regarding the source of the washed up heads.”

In a tiny village on the Irish coast lived an old lady, a virgin, and very proud of it. Sensing that her final days were rapidly approaching, and desiring to make sure everything was in proper order when she dies, she went to the town’s undertaker (who also happened to be the local postal clerk) to make proper “final” arrangements. As a last wish, she informed the undertaker that she wanted the following inscription engraved on her tombstone: “BORN A VIRGIN, LIVED AS A VIRGIN, DIED A VIRGIN” Not long after, the old maid died peacefully. A few days after the funeral, as the undertaker/postal clerk went to prepare the tombstone that the lady had requested, it became quite apparent that the tombstone she had selected was much too small for the wording that she had chosen. He thought long and hard about how he could fulfill the old maid’s final request considering the very limited space available on the small piece of stone. For days, he agonized over the dilemma, but finally his experience as a postal worker allowed him to come up with what he thought was the appropriate solution to the problem. The virgin’s tombstone was finally completed and duly engraved, and it read as follows: “RETURNED UNOPENED”

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Coro Seafood festival Coromandel Seafood Festival will be held on May 7th 10am to 5pm at the Coromandel Area School Field. The programme will include: Mussel Opening and Oyster shucking – see live demonstrations on how to open these local seafood delicacies. Both shellfish offer their own challenges when trying to extract the tasty bits and the display will uncover all the best techniques. The idea was thought of by the local Coromandel Town Business Assn and from there a small dedicated team of four people from businesses in town have put an incredible amount of work and effort into organizing the event and without their collective foresight, enthusiasm and vision the event would not be going ahead. Fish Filleting – ever wondered how the professionals remove the fillets from local fish species? Learn how it’s done with demonstrations on snapper as well as caring for your fish properly, vacuum packing and more.

Marine Art Exhibition – Coromandel is well known for its creative people and the exhibition showcases works of art celebrating the marine environment. The exhibition is open to all forms of media with the artwork on display in the Coromandel Area School hall that is located right next to the festival venue. Entry is free and visitors will be invited to vote for their favourite artwork with the most popular winning a people’s choice award. The exhibition is open to all artists of any age and from any region with condition of entry that delivery of art work is arranged prior to the event. Celebrity Derek the Chief – Well known cooking personality Derek Robinson will be at the festival showing how to prepare and cook three recipes that feature fish, oysters and mussels. And may also include a special bonus cooking display using paua (abalone). He will be available to talk with during the festival. Local restaurant seafood cook off – The challenge is to create the

ultimate seafood dish using fish, mussels or oysters grown locally in the pristine waters of western Coromandel. We have invited The Pepper Tree Restaurant, Success Café and Umu Café who all provide fine dining in Coromandel Town. They are going head to head in this fun cook off event where each can make a potential winning dish using any one or all combined seafood ingredients at 2pm. Stalls and displays – There are lots of things to discover at the festival with exhibitors offering seafood, crafts and local wares. Then there are various information portals for participants to learn and discover all things related to the marine environment including local marine aquaculture. Live entertainment – Enjoy all that the festival has to offer while discovering the various exhibitions. The children can enjoy face painting and a bouncy castle. Live music will run throughout the event as well as lots of activities for all the family to enjoy. For more information call Coromandel Town Information Centre, 07-866-8598, e-mail: coroinfo@xtra.co.nz

World Rod Building Challenge New Zealand premium rod blank manufacturer, CTS, has been selected to power the 2017 World Rod Building Challenge. The competition invites custom rod builders from around the world to showcase their finest artistry and craftsmanship – with each contestant using the same high quality CTS rod blank. The challenge is in its second year, and is run by industry expert Mark Crouse. The 2016 challenge attracted 24 competitors from 10 countries. This year, based on the heightened interest seen on social media, up to 200 competi-

tors are expected to participate. Contestants must sign up by 15 June 2016, purchase their specially selected CTS blank and build it in their own unique style. Details about the blank remain secret, apart from the fact that it is 9 foot long and 4 pieces. Crouse says that CTS was selected for the challenge because “it has the best travel blanks and biggest selection on the market, and is highly respected for quality worldwide”. Judging of finished rods is anonymous, and takes place in February 2017 at the International Custom

Rod Builders Expo in Winston-Salem, NC, USA. A panel of five judges will assess each rod for technical and functional criteria, and 30% of judging will be by public vote. The World Rod Building Challenge was established in 2015 by The Munich Rod Man, Mark Crouse. In its second year of running, the challenge is expected to attract up to 200 contestants who will each build a rod on the same specially selected CTS blank, to be judged at the 2017 International Custom Rod Building Expo in Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

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Coromandel fishing – voted best by far by Graham Carter

May Huang with her kingfish (first ever fish

Looking for the best fishing trip Coromandel has to offer? My chinese boarder was graduating in late March and had brought his Mum and Dad out from China to be at the event and while in NZ they wanted to do a spot of fishing. So we had to ponder where to go and who is the best to go with! Word of mouth works best so we asked around and we were told that Coromandel Fishing Charters offered the best value for money and were the most popular fishing charter operating out of Coromandel. “A snapper fishing trip on Coro-

mandel Fishing Charters is your best choice for hassle-free safe and comfortable fishing adventures.” Who were we to argue. A quick phone call to the 0800 number, had our party of six booked. Fishing at any level is a load of fun and that’s what we were on board for. We only wanted a good feed, so the focus was on fun rather than the option of filling the bin with our potential tally of 42 fish. Experienced skippers ‘Lawrence and Jordan’ together with crew know all the great fishing spots in the beautiful Hauraki Gulf, focusing on the Co-

romandel side and the mussel farms. The Coromandel provides fantastic scenery and we were able to watch dolphins playing around as we sped down to the fishing area. They cater for experienced or novice angler wanting the joy of catching a good feed of fish to take home, targeting mainly Snapper, but our anglers frequently catch many different species such as Trevally, John Dory, Kahawai, and Kingfish. “The modifications have allowed them to provide suitable facilities for weddings, functions and corporate fishing trips,” Tom said, “to support their main fishing charter boat ‘Joint Venture (Hombre)’, skippered by Jordan, the new boat (Ruben Jack) skippered by “Lawrence” formerly from Coro Cowboy Charters. Both the Joint Venture charter boats, ‘Homdre’ and ‘Rubin Jack’ are 15 metre Precision Westcoaster’ hulls and have 650hp Detroit diesel motors.. They have similar facilities, like a clean modern sit down toilet, covered fishing area, along with a BBQ for breakfasts, lunches or dinner meals, hot water for coffee or tea facilities with plenty of room for fishing rods, ice bins etc. Both also have sleeping facilities for up to eight people with three double beds, for overnight fishing excursions to Great Barrier Islands and beyond. Jordan and Lawrence will help with showing you what to do to catch

Visit us on www.facebook/Fishingandoutdoorsnewspaper a fish and generally work the deck area helping where they can, taking fish off hooks and teaching people how to handle fish and how to return them to the water safely. Coromandel Fishing Charters is a family business with many years involvement in the maritime industry and have operated thousands of successful day trips from Hannafins Wharf, Coromandel. Snapper is one of New Zealand’s most popular species for recreational fishing and the Coromandel is the town of choice for so many anglers that all to often the motels, holiday parks and camping grounds are booked oot. Snapper belong to the sea bream family and the average fish around the mussel farms and Coromandel area measures between 30 - 60cm in length. The term ‘bottom fishing’ is the main method of catching fish from Charter Boats and was derived from species such as snapper as they remain just above the seabed. They are strong swimmers and hence provide a rather challenging fish to catch and as such are easily the nation’s most popular and sort after recreational table fish. Catching snapper on charter boats is relatively easy with anglers mostly using dropper rigs or stray lining. Shellfish are the obvious bait choice,or packaged frozen bait, such as trevally, squid, or pilchards work well. These baits are available through the local Salty Towers Bait Shop who also provide tackle, salt ice and the popular berley bombs which are made with various mixes of mus-

The Huang family enjoying themselves

sels mixed with fish oils and kina. Hook size, hook type, line strength, sinker weight, are paramount when fishing on a charter boat, as many tangles occur when a fisher uses lighter sinkers than his neighbours and the currents twist the lines together on the bottom, lighter sinkers also allow fish to swim around more also causing tangles. Another great days fishing. The TCDC will be banning parking at Hannafins wharf in a short time. Vehicle drivers will be able to drop off there fishing passengers and all equipment including chilly bins, rods etc, at the wharf then drive there vehicles to a parking facility at the Mussel Kitchen restaurant, where they will then be tranported to the wharf and vice versa on the return. Coromandel Fishing Charters spe-

Government Not Listening to Public on Water Coromandel Fish & Dive Report by James Speedy

Water is a precious, public resource. It is vital to all New Zealanders for a mix of recreational, ecological and commercial reasons. Government intends to “reform” freshwater management by amending the Resource Management Act and has been carrying out a roadshow programme for public meetings. But many are unhappy. Andi Cockcroft co-chairman of the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations (CORANZ) described the itinerary as “underwhelming” with the only centres listed being Wellington, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Timaru, Christchurch, Auckland, Nelson, Napier and Invercargill. “What of people in Hamilton, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Masterton, Blenheim and Dunedin to name a few cities and towns left of the list? The South Island’s West Coast is totally in the cold, with over three hours of driving to attend in Christchurch. Since freshwater is a publicly owned resource, the token consultation raises deep concern about government’s sincerity and questions about any likely ulterior motives,” he said.

it may be time for a fundamental rethink about how to protect our environment and how to plan cities. Tony Orman, former CORANZ chairman said he agreed with all comments. As a former town planner he said ditching the old town and country planning law to replace it with the Resource Management Act largely led by National’s Simon Upton and Labour’s Geoffrey Palmer at the time, was a shortsighted move. He recalled a former National environment minister Simon Upton once saying the RMA made it easier for people to do what they liked with their land. “That’s stupid. The old land use zoning concept was good. But by Upton’s definition, it opens the way for the developers and exploiters to have much more freedom. Each generation has to deal with the raiders trying to plunder public reKen Sims spokesman for NZ Fed- sources for private profit but they’re eration of Freshwater Anglers having a field day now with rivers said the roadshow series of meet- and the push for more dairying in ings seemed token consultation. low rainfall areas at the expense of “It’s going through-the-motions water and river flows and quality.” exercise without listening,” he said. The government curIt was unlikely government poli- rent roadshow seemed only cy would change in response to “lip service” to consultation. public reaction and comment. “At the end of the day, water “I’ve seen no one praise the re- and rivers is public property deforms. Even the Greater Wellington spite the Prime Minister trying Regional council and even govern- to say it belonged to nobody,” he ment’s own environmental watch- added. “He has to be out of his dog the Parliamentary Commis- tree saying something like that.” sioner for the Environment Dr Jan Questions about ownership and Wright have expressed concern.” future management were crucial. The Parliamentary Commissioner “The Prime Minister has blithely for the Environment told Parlia- uttered freshwater belongs to no ment the Bill amending the Re- one. Meanwhile corporate dairy, source Management Act (RMA) grape and other interests want the went too far in stopping people public’s water for private profit. having their say on important en- Ecological and recreational convironmental matters.” Proposed siderations are left languishing.” amendments include the Minister Questions emerge over the tobeing able to shut out certain voices ken consultation about govand make changes to council plans. ernment’s sincerity and posThe PCE said the powers granted to sible ulterior motives he added. the Minister were “too wide-ranging.” The RMA is now 25 years old Rivers -up for grabs- and govand has been amended many times. ernment’s not listening? Dr Wright also made the point that

A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swat. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Hunting flies,” he replied. “Oh, killed any?” she enquired. “Yep, 3 males and two females,” came the answer. Intrigued, the wife asked, “How can you tell them apart?” Husband: “Three were on a beer can and the other two were on the phone.”

Scallops are a still plentiful but a bit on the skinny side as a lot of them have spawned hope they return to a better condition before the end of season on Thursday 31st March 2016. There have been a few crayfish caught around the islands but their exact locations are kept a bit of a secret by the divers, so perhaps worth a look. Fishing is very patchy with lots of small

ones although there have been some really nice size snapper caught and most getting their limits, there seems to be lots of Kingis around, rats and larger ones providing good fun on light gear. There was a kahawai weighed in at just under the 3kg mark so they are out there, you just got to pick your day and go out. Classy Chicks Fishing Competition

cialize in ‘four hour’ charters through the summer months as they have found that after that the fishers want to go home and sort out the fish already caught. This involves an early morning excursion, one around lunchtime and an evening fish. Coromandel Fishing Charters work in unison with Salty Towers Bait and Tackle shop who offer a fish filleting service along with bait, berley and tackle supplies and they have fresh mussels available to take home as well. Coromandel Fishing Charters offer more than a fishing experience as there is a lot more to the Hauraki Gulf than people imagine. To Book your Charter or Christmas function call Tom or Lorraine on 0800 267624 or 027 8668001 or the office at 07 8668928. Email: corofishing@gmail.com was a great success, very nice snapper weighed in, thanks to all the supporters and organizers, well done to all prize winners and to all who dressed up congratulations you all looked great, looking forward to next years competition. Keep the 7th May in mind for the Coromandel Town Inaugural Seafood Festival notices have been placed around the town and there is a Facebook page so please check it out. There is also a link on the Information Centre Web page.

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BRAG PAGE Send your photos into mail@fishingoutdoors.co.nz

Archies first fish a nice gunard caught off waikanae. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just turned five.

Tim Botiwtiw with a good haul of fish that he got with his mates out from Manu Bay, Raglan recently.

Mike Bell West Coast Kingis

The recent Snapper World Cup winner Dan Fobbester

Photos from the Whangamata Ocean Sports Club Nauti Girls competition.

The first striped marlin caught over the weekend at Waihau Bay, 96kg by Michael Krause, Whakatane.

May Huang caught this kingfish recently whilst out on the Ruben Jack from Coromandel with her family.

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Whangamata Ocean Sports comps Tairua incident highlights bar crossing risks Whangamata Ocean Sports Club held their annual A1 Homes Classic Fishing Competition from the 11th to 13th February. With 69 fish weighed in overall and an additional 17 marlin tagged and released the three days was a great success for all involved. Roy Hoskin took out the top marlin prize with a 226.6kg blue marlin caught off the boat, Devocean, which also received the most boat points. Rhys Davies, fishing from the Te Ra, landed the heaviest striped marlin at 171.5 kg on

the last day of the competition. With fish caught in all categories of tuna, kingfish, spearfish, mahimahi and snapper there was some very happy anglers. Daily prize giving on the Thursday/ Friday nights was well attended with the overall prize giving on Saturday 13th including entertainment from a great local band Whitewater. The Whangamata Ocean Sports Club annual Nauti Girls Fishing Competition was held on the 6th of February 2016. Unfortunately, due to some nasty

conditions on the ocean, fishing was unable to take place. This gave the competitors and boat boys all day to work on their costumes for the nautical themed fashion and hat competition. A great range of prizes were presented by draw due to fishing not taking place. There was lots of smiling faces despite the unfavourable weather and everybody is looking forward to next year! Thank you to all the generous sponsors and helpers, without them this great event could not go ahead.

Waikato Regional Council says a bar crossing incident at Tairua, in which three men reportedly without lifejackets on were flipped into the sea, highlights the risks involved in such situations. A decision is expected later today on whether the council or Maritime NZ will formally investigate the incident. The trio were rescued by emergency responders. It’s understood from witnesses that the boat tried to turn mid-crossing. The council’s maritime services

team leader Richard Barnett says it’s still unclear exactly what happened but adds that crossing a bar is an extremely hazardous activity. “That’s one of the reasons we worked with others to create a series of bar crossing videos for boaties. One of the big no-nos is not to be wearing a lifejacket while crossing a bar. It’s a national rule that they must be worn while crossing bars. “So it’s vital that people wear lifejackets in these circumstances, make wise decisions about

whether it was safe to go on the water in the first place and never try to turn mid-crossing.” Skippers of vessels who attempted crossing in such circumstances put themselves and crew at risk, as well as emergency responders who had to go to help them, Mr Barnett said. “Boaties need to make sure they do their homework and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills they need to cross bars.”

More feedback needed for Tairua wharf Some South Island rivers to close Detailed design and schedule for the redevelopment of Tairua wharf and boat ramp will be reviewed by the Tairua Mary Beach Boat Ramp Working Group in early March. The recommendations from the Working Group will then go back to the Tairua-Pauanui Community Board for consideration. Late last year both the Stakeholder Working Group and the Community Board approved a draft concept plan for the Tairua Wharf and Boat Ramp which included: Rebuilding the wharf in the same location, in wood and making it wider (4m) so that vehicles can drive on to load boats. A new wharf pontoon to provide additional loading space for the ferry, which goes between Tairua and Pauanui. Widening and improving the existing boat ramp to help with launching at low tide. An additional two new 30-metre floating pontoons are proposed to help boat launching at all tides; This development of approximately 17 new trailer boat parks (which could also be used as normal car parks) providing a total of 40 trailer

boat parks in the immediate area. The budget for the project has been set at $1.2m by the Tairua-Pauanui Community. “The concept plan was drafted with indicative costs, which both the Working Group and Community Board endorsed to go out for community feedback,” says TairuaPauanui Area Manager Garry Towler. “However it was highlighted at the time, that the concept plans only had a provisional cost for the construction of a rock wall, which is part of the redevelopment.” “As engineering costs have now been quantified, there’s a high probability that project costs will go over budget.” We are therefore taking this information back to the working group for consideration” says Mr Towler. “ “We are extremely mindful that we are not going out for a goldplated piece of infrastructure,” says Tairua-Pauanui Community Board Chair Bob Renton. “We are aware however, that the wharf has only about a 3-6 year life span before significant maintenance is needed and that health and safety requirements are met.”

“There’s been significant cost-benefit analysis done on this project and given the age, as well as limited engineering information and associated unknown risks raised, a rebuild was considered the most appropriate option,” says Mr Renton. “We have also continued to listen to community feedback on the project, the most recent being through consultation late last year,” he says. In total 48 submissions were received for Tairua Wharf - Mary Beach late last year. Of these 60% were resident ratepayers, with the remainder being non-resident. 80% agreed with rebuilding wharf (20% disagreed). 75% agreed with a new pontoon at the end of the wharf (25% disagreed) 70% agreed with boat ramp improvements with 30% disagreed • 60% agreed with the proposed parking arrangements and 40% disagreed. The Stakeholders Working Group will meet early March followed by an extraordinary meeting of the TairuaPauanui Community Board shortly after that to consider their recommendations. The date for the Board meeting is still to be confirmed.

Fish numbers are falling in the South Island and plans to end trout fishing have many anglers angry, as Fish and Game are blaming angler pressure when it is more likely that water use for large scale irrigation is the issue. North Canterbury Fish & Game will be meeting with community members who have signed a petition to stop the closing of waterways east of State Highway 1 from the Waiau River down to the Rakaia River. The number of trout has dwindled to an “emergency” point and Fish & Game plans to regulate and stop winter trout fishing come May 1. However what is more likely to have occurred is that as water flows decrease through irrigation use and as irrigation use increases, the trout are simply not being able to spawn and are therefore being discouraged from breeding and the numbers are not there for them to return. “Trout come into feed out of the sea and it’s no trouble for someone to catch two or three fish in an eve-

ning’s fishing,” chair of Fish & Game north Canterbury Trevor Isitt says. “This year they just weren’t there.” Mr Isitt has been fishing in the area since he was eight years old. “A lot of these streams that were traditionally famous trout fishing streams have either gone or they don’t support fish the way they use to,” he says. “We’ve slowly fished the numbers down to a point where they are in a bit of a crisis and if we don’t act now we might end up with no fish at all.” Irrigation and drought is also thought to have caused low or no water in waterways where fish spawn. “The horse has already bolted on that one. All we can do is try to mitigate the effects now,” Mr Issitt says. He realised anglers would be disappointed and says Fish & Game is supportive of providing fishing opportunities, but sustainability is an “overriding factor”. Matthew Easton has fished in the area two or three times

a week in the last month. “There are a lot of people that come down here, it’s a great recreational resource,” he says. He thought Fish & Game did a wonderful job of increasing the numbers and the waterways shouldn’t be closed. “I think it’s a load of rubbish.” “Yes, it does get used but I don’t think it’s abused so the closure needs to be carefully considered.” However, Mr Isitt says increased pressure of winter fishing on the river might just spell the end of trout fishing. Fish & Game will have to get Minister approval to close the waterway. Fish & Game would evaluate at the end of the season whether trout numbers increase. “It’s not going to be a quick fix,” Mr Isitt says. He is hoping anglers will be supportive once they realize why they want to close it.

New pier and pontoon for Tauranga waterfront Tauranga City Council will partner with engineering consultants Beca and LandLAB for the construction of tidal stairs, Masonic Pier and pontoon for the city’s waterfront. Beca have been appointed as the engineering designers for the Access to Water project, and will work alongside urban designers LandLAB, who will provide overall design leadership. Council Project Manager Richard Conning said Beca and LandLAB have a strong working relationship. “Beca has extensive experience in the design and construction of public amenity coastal structures, and have worked with LandLAB to deliver a significant number of projects on the Auckland waterfront, including tidal stairs,” Mr Conning said. “We are confident their combined expertise and experience will deliver safe, accessible and fun access to water, and in a way that

reflects Tauranga’s unique identity.” Beca Regional Manager – Bay of Plenty Gavin Frost said the company is excited about the project. “We have many outstanding local natural features and look forward to working with Tauranga City Council and LandLAB to maximise the benefit of our harbour location and make the heart of our city an even better place to spend time.” Council is working with Beca and LandLAB to complete the detailed design, which will consider engineering, safety, ongoing maintenance and resource consent requirements. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in July/ August 2016 with completion for summer 2016/17. The indicative cost for building the tidal stairs, Masonic pier and pontoon ranges between $2.6 million and $3.2 million. These costs will be refined once the detailed design is completed.

Elected Members gave the go ahead to the project in December 2015, following feedback from the community on the proposed concept. It forms the first stage of Council providing access to water along the city’s waterfront. Mayor Stuart Crosby said being able to access the water was important to the community. “Our waterfront is a significant part of our city’s history and culture, and is such a jewel in our crown, so it’s exciting to be able to make it more accessible for people to enjoy the water and engage with events and activities in our city centre,” Mayor Crosby said. Council’s Long Term Plan 2015-2025 allocated $8 million, to be spent in the first five years, for city centre and waterfront development to improve the streetscape, waterfront and open spaces in the heart of the city.

Waikato Council looking after waterways

Two related Waikato companies have been fined a total of $64,525 following a poorly executed forestry harvesting operation near the Waitomo Caves. The charges which Corboy Forest Management Limited and Corboy Earthworks Limited were convicted of recently in Hamilton District Court included illegally disturbing the bed of a river and discharging

sediment to watercourses. The prosecution was brought by Waikato Regional Council and concerned a forestry harvest operation that occurred between December 2013 and May 2014 at a dry stock property approximately seven kilometres from the Waitomo Caves. The court heard that council staff inspected the farm in August 2014 and discovered recent earthworks and soil disturbance in and around watercourses that ultimately lead to the Waitomo Stream. A subsequent council investigation revealed that environmental management during the harvest was very poorly done resulting in significant and avoidable adverse environmental effects. The council said the offending oc-

curred in a sensitive environment and that watercourses in the harvest area had been heavily impacted by debris and fine sediment. These tributaries fed volumes of sediment to the Waitomo Stream, which ultimately flows to the Waitomo Caves. The council’s investigations manager Patrick Lynch said: “This case is very concerning as there was a complete disregard for environment controls, including complete ignorance of the industry’s own best practice guidelines. This is a sensitive and world famous catchment. It is exactly this kind of reckless activity that the Resource Management Act is designed to stop.” Our attached photo shows a view of the main track to the harvest site from above. This is where where a spring was covered in and blew a hole in the side of the track to the stream and wetland below.

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THE POLITICS OF FRESH WATER REFORM

By Dr Muriel Newman

When John Key became Prime Minister he reached out to bring the Maori Party into his coalition. A condition of that deal was preferential access for Iwi Leaders to Cabinet Ministers. Over the years they have met regularly, to discuss matters of mutual interest including the reforms of the Resource Management Act and freshwater management. But the Prime Minister now has a problem. There is a growing perception that he and his Party have become captured by powerful corporate tribal interests who want nothing less than co-governance of the country. In a society based on democracy and the Rule of Law, any politician who elevates one group above all others risks an electoral backlash. Peter Shirtcliffe, a well known businessman who led the campaign for ‘better government’ against MMP in the nineties, believes most New Zealanders are deeply committed to equality and strongly opposed to any notion of ‘unearned privilege’: “Regrettably, there is a numerically small but vocal group of Maori leaders who have worked hard over many years to use their cultural background to argue for raciallybased preference in economic and governance matters. This is dangerous stuff – preference granted on the basis of race, religion or other cultural affiliation leads to unearned privilege, unearned status, unearned profits and corruption. “There are increasing political forces at work pushing a racial agenda in our economic and governance environment. The RMA proposals, including vital issues such as how we deal with freshwater come readily to mind. The Government is being lilylivered in not dealing openly with this preference issue. In the case of fresh water, it would like to devolve the responsibility for dealing with

race-based water claims to Local Authorities, who are ill-equipped to deal with well-orchestrated tribal grabs for Unearned Privilege.” Indeed, it is ironic, that the Party that stood for one law for all under Don Brash is now planning to confer ‘unearned privilege’ onto powerful tribal bosses in the form of race-based rights over the crucial public resource of fresh water. While the government had been discussing with Maori leaders how to facilitate such a major change for years, the public had been kept in the dark. If National goes ahead and introduces the race-based control of fresh water, it will be the only government in New Zealand’s history to accept that tribal claims for the ownership of fresh water are legitimate. All previous governments have rejected such repeated demands as opportunistic. So what actual ‘evidence’ of tribal ownership of water is National relying on? The Waitangi Tribunal’s 2012 report on the Maori fresh water claim outlines the 12 ‘indicia’ accepted as ‘proof’ of ownership on page 32: – The water resource has been relied upon as a source of food – The water resource has been relied upon as a source of textiles or other materials – The water resource has been relied upon for travel or trade – The water resource has been used in the rituals central to the spiritual life of the hapu (sub-tribe) – The water resource has a mauri (life force) – The water resource is celebrated or referred to in waiata [songs] – The water resource is celebrated or referred to in whakatauki [proverbs] – The people have identified taniwha [monsters] as residing in the water resource

– The people have exercised kaitiakitanga [guardianship] over the water resource – The people have exercised mana [authority] or rangatiratanga [ownership] over the water resource – Whakapapa [genealogy] identifies a cosmological connexion with the water resource – There is a continuing recognised claim to land or territory in which the resource is situated, and title has been maintained to ‘some, if not all, of the land on (or below) which the water resource sits’ David Round, a Law Lecturer at Canterbury University has examined these and concludes, “the arguments of the Waitangi Tribunal are rubbish ~ a mixture of uncritical gullibility, mumbo-jumbo, racism and illogic, all fortified by inbuilt bias. These twelve ‘indicia’ are stupid. They establish beyond reasonable doubt the intellectual bankruptcy of the Tribunal. Yet this body of highlypaid Maori lobbyists masquerading as an impartial tribunal considers them adequate arguments.” It is no wonder that successive governments have rejected tribal claims for water as being without substance. So what has changed – why is National now accepting that ‘taniwha’ represent a legitimate proof that Maori have ‘rights and interests’ in water? The truth – as a memo issued by the Waitangi Tribunal explains – is that the race-based control of water is part of a deal that National did with tribal leaders in 2012 to ease the way for the partial privatisation of State-owned power companies. With the government anxious to prevent a public dispute over the ownership of water from undermining the share sale process, their approach to Maori demands for water changed. Instead of denying that such rights exist – as

all previous governments had done – National began to appease the Maori rent seekers. The Maori Council issued three demands for the recognition of their water rights: power company shares; “modern water rights” involving “the establishment of a new water control regime under which Maori have power to issue water permits (becoming in effect the consent authorities) or may be allocated water permits which they could lease on to powergenerating companies; a “royalty regime under which Maori were paid royalties for the use of water”. While tribal share allocations were rejected, in the Maori Council’s Supreme Court appeal, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged, that not only would the government closely involve Iwi Leaders in the fresh water policy-making process, but that the recognition of tribal rights “may include decision-making roles in relation to care, protection, use, access and allocation, and/or charges or rentals for use” of water. These are shocking developments. There is no legal justification for race-based rights to water. Just as no-one owns the rain, no-one owns fresh water in New Zealand – irrespective of who owns the land over which the water flows. National’s attempt to impose the race-based control of water through their reform proposals can now be seen as political expediency of the worst kind. Their plan to require local authorities to determine the exact nature of tribal rights on a catchment by catchment basis – to avoid the inevitable political fallout – is both devious and despicable. The Prime Minister needs to step up as a leader of all New Zealanders and reject tribal control of fresh water. abridged

tilisers and other nutrients which will harm the waterways. It appears that Irrigation NZ is only interested in the benefits to themselves as he goes on to say: “In the third and fourth reports the benefits of water infrastructure and transfer are clearly recognised, and the immediate need is backed up by recent South Island droughts “Freshwater is a natural and recurring resource we need to protect. It needs to be properly and carefully managed to bolster our agricultural-led economy. If Government is truly serious about sustainably managing our water resource, then alongside the implementation of environmental limits, changes to the water transfer system that allow for more dynamic use of the allocable volume are key. Also, for the development of modern multi-purpose infrastructure, the initial regional scoping stage needs to be viewed as a public good - allowing communities to objectively work through their options. “There’s a number of economic growth studies being undertaken in the regions, including Northland, Bay of Plenty and the Manawatu. All identify the potential of water, but a lack of resourcing results in the subsequent regional scoping stage being stalled or under-done. If we’re serious about economic development in the provinces this scoping phase needs greater resourcing and in a timely manner. Once a potential project is identified this is when the public-

private approach should kick in.” Mr Curtis says there were a number of positives in the document: “Stock exclusion regulations are long overdue – they provide an easy fix for a number of water quality issues in New Zealand. “Broadening the scope of the $100 million Freshwater Improvement Fund to include environmental infrastructure makes sense as win-win environmental-economic solutions are key to a sustainable future for all New Zealanders. “The focus upon implementation of Good Management Practice and clearly defining technical efficiency expectations is also welcome. The future needs to be about ever improving practices and actions on the ground, that’s how you create outcomes. “Irrigation New Zealand has spent the past 10 years developing minimum expectations for irrigation performance, these are written into a series of industry codes of practice and standards that are supported by knowledge resources and training. In the past three years over 1,000 irrigators have attended irrigation management training days. There’s a number of examples of how both irrigators and irrigation schemes are achieving SMART Irrigation – Good Management Practice – on the SMART Irrigation website: http://smartirrigation. co.nz/. The widespread adoption of SMART Irrigation creates both economic and environmental benefits.

A bloke walks into a bar in Sydney and orders a shandy. All the Aussies sitting around the bar look up, expecting to see another Kiwi visitor. The barman says, “You ain’t from around here, are ya ?” The guy says, “No, I’m from New Zealand.” The bartender says, “What do you do in New Zealand?” The guy says, “I’m a taxidermist.” The bartender says, “A tixidermist ? What the hick is a tixidermist ? Do you drive a tixi ?” “No, a taxidermist doesn’t drive a taxi. I mount animals.” The bartender grins and yells, “He’s okay, boys. He’s one of us !!”

FRESHWATER REFORM OR DEFORM? Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment, has released a consultation document on proposed amendments to the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and other regulations and Acts relating to freshwater. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their thoughts and feelings on the proposals and, as anglers, it is of particular importance that we participate in this process, including those, like myself sometimes, who believe politicians and Beehive mandarins rarely listen. Please try and find the time to read the proposal (which can be found at http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/ default/files/media/Fresh%20water/next-steps-for-freshwater.pdf ) and submit a response to the MfE. The headlines for the freshwater reform proposals are: 1. Water standards remain at wadeable and boatable only. 2. The Minister considers setting a swimmable standard for freshwater “would come at a cost way beyond what is realistic” 3. The Macroinvertebrate Community Index (the MCI which measures aquatic bugs) is to be included as an additional freshwater quality indicator. 4. Intermittently open and closed lagoons (such as Lake Ellesmere) to be included under the freshwater standards. 5. A long-term introduction of stock exclusion from waterways (milking cattle by 2017 and other stock up to 2030). 6. To give Maori greater rights in governance of freshwater, although

exactly what this means is still to be clarified. Two possible precedents might include the Ngati Porou/ Gisborne Council arrangement where Ngati Porou will become a consenting authority in its own right and the agreement to have two Iwi representatives appointed by Ngai Tahu on the ECan board. 7. Weaken the status of Water Conservation Orders by making them subservient to local Council resource management plans. Currently a WCO sits above any regional plan. The proposal is that regional Councils can now apply for WCO’s despite the fact that all current 15 WCOs have been initiated by Fish & Game and that in many cases the local Council vehemently opposed these WCOs. 8. Removing the loophole that allows Councils to let one waterbody deteriorate providing another one was improved (the “unders and overs” approach as it is known) by applying a catchment based approach to measuring water quality. This could still mean a continued deterioration in the lowland section providing a tributary was cleaned up however. 9. Allowing water bodies to fall to the lowest water quality where infrastructure has altered that water body, such as hydrodams or irrigation diversions. 10. A continuation of the regime where a waterbody is so polluted that the local Council can list it as an “Appendix 4 waterbody” i.e the too hard basket and so not address it in the medium term. 11. Mechanisms to allow for trade-

able water rights in place of the current first-come, first served approach to water take consents. This move is predicated on the belief that it would increase the efficient use of water as it now becomes a commodity. History in China, India, South America and Africa has often proved this leads to a monopolisation of water rights by a few wealthy corporates. 12. A lot of highly prescriptive technical methods for imposition of local councils to assist in their managing quality and quantity of water for consumption and economic benefit. 13. Since 2000 HALF A BILLION DOLLARS of tax payers money has been, and will continue to be, committed to clean up pollution caused by intensive farming and failing wastewater treatment plants. I apologise for my emotive language here but this seems like the tax payer is subsidising a lot of wealthy corporate dairy companies and crap Councils to me. Overall, it is business as usual and despite the MfE’s and Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s own data showing a very large decline in water quality at monitored sites over the last 15 years, there is nothing in the proposals to address either the increase in water use in intensive farming or its declining quality. Have your say as anglers, users and guardians of our freshwater fishery Cheers David Haynes President New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers

Irrigation NZ urges Government to act Irrigation New Zealand welcomes the Government’s ‘Next steps for fresh water’ consultation document released in February, but encourages government to ‘get on with it.

CEO Andrew Curtis says Irrigation New Zealand was hoping for more immediate action from central government, particularly around water infrastructure and transfer.

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However he mentions nothing about ensuring that water used through irrigation is used responsibly and is returned to the aquafers with minimal fer-

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Horizon Council into dirty dancing 80 Years to tidy up the Waikato – Really?

A recent video post on Facebook, detailed raw sewerage seeping into streams in the Manawatu area, near a Stansell Street Creek Treatment Plant. The video mentioned that it was to advise the public of what was occurring as the council denighed

show pieces of toilet paper flowing straight from the sewerage ponds. According to the videographer the stench from the streams was unbelievable. CEO David Clapperton- Horowhenua District Council said that

that it was straight raw sewerage. Both were beautiful fresh water streams which are now dirty and smelly from the discharges which

he was aware of this video posted by an unauthorised individual intruding into Council facilities. He said that the commentary that

raw sewage is being discharged into the stream with evidence of fresh toilet paper floating on top is a complete distortion of facts. However the video showed differently as it showed the treatment plant directly in the background . The Horizon Council say that they are sticking to their consent requirements and that they have every right under consent conditions. I think they call this making the rules to suit themselves. The little things add up and the bigger picture is a filthy Manawatu River. He says that this video does not make sense and exists to create misguidance. It appears The toilet paper you see in the video is a result of third party action that neither Council nor Council Contractors are aware of or have any control over. Horowhenua District Council is working hard and work is well underway to remove the 100% discharge from the stream. As part of the consent granted to the Council by the Environment Court, Council has a consent to discharge to the drain (stream). So the question is why are the Council staff working so hard when their CEO says its not happening? Something is definitely smelly here!! In another incident, Council have purportedly been dumping and burying raw sewerage onto farm land, when the sewerage treatment station had shutdown. The Manawatu River is renowned as being one of the worst and dirtiest rivers in the western world, after decades of being used as a gutter for wastewater and farm run-off, and few would swim in it and that’s the terrible state of most of the rivers in New Zealand. The current government says its working on ways to improve our rivers and spending millions on discussions and conferences, which would be given to Councils to simply ‘clean up their act.’ Government and Councils themselves have a responsibility to sort out these issues from stopping discharges, and to clean up waterways until its too late, but rarely do they take positive action and tend to sweep matters under the carpet.

NZ’s Failing Green Image at Tipping Point

The Government’s Next Steps for Freshwater consultation document proposed to bring in a national regulation that means stock cannot enter streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. So what about Council discharge into streams? Nothing. This proposal is well overdue, as elected local councillors and the government have had the blinkers on for too long. Environment Minister Nick Smith and Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy said excluding stock from our water bodies could improve water quality, step up its suitability for recreation and as a habitat for fish. “Livestock with access to water bodies can trample the banks, causing erosion and more sediment in the water. Water quality and the risk to human health are affected by stock faeces and urine.” You have to wonder what planet these whallies are on. You can’t just blame the farmers – what about Councils who discharge sewerage directly into streams and have the rainwater from city streets flushed directly into streams and rivers. All they do is change bylaws to suit themselves. Councils must also be made to tidy up their act. They know whats going on but elect to do little. Sadly there are people out there and I’m talking about some of our senior government minis-

ters who take pride in and are hell-bent on destroying our waterways, fresh water resources, clean green image and worst of all our inshore fishery. They have taken absolutely no responsibility in ensuring that the public resources with which they are charged to protect, are maintained adequately, safely or sustainably. Environmentalists have been telling these clowns for decades what the remedy is but successive governments and councillors have refused to acknowledge or listen. Smith and Guy are responsible for not only the damage to our waterways but our fish stocks as well. The only reason that they have made this proposal is that they know the writing is on the wall leading up to the next elections. They have the ability to take immediate action but instead choose to start a dscussion paper. All that does is show how little they really care about our rivers and streams. It worse than pathetic and should have been augmented years ago. They should show some leadership and regain public confidence by forcing councils to sort out their act and the bleating farming community immediately. “For me to fence out cattle would cost more than the farm’s worth,” and “Water is an important resource for stock,” are nothing more than poor excuses for

bad management practices. Farmers have had it too good for too long. Most of them know full well what there responsibilities are but choose not to do anything. Fonterra the beneficiary of farmers hard work should be made to put but into the rural sector and assist farmers to fence off waterways. The proposed exclusion would apply to dairy cattle on milking platforms from July 1, 2017. It was planned the exclusion would be extended to dairy support stock, beef cattle and deer by 2025 to give farmers time to comply. Farmers have known for the last twenty years that stock do significant damage and as our waterways have progressively got worse councils and the governments have sat on their laurels and done sweet little, until finally they have been forced to make this last minute desperate legislation. The Wakato River recently got C+ which is a low grade and D is a poor, a failure, so it’s not a complete fail,” NIWA chief scientist Dr John Quinn says, while the Manawatu is one of the worst rivers in NZ, and mostly because of dirty dairying. Its origin scored best for quality and ecological integrity, but drainage and flood control has done extensive damage to its lower region. Where it meets the Waipa River is the spot where all conditions worsen, including the counts for e.coli. The authority has spent $22.4m over five years on improvement projects, including planting 1m trees and fencing 85km. The Waikato River and its catchments, the Waipā River along with Waahi, Whangape and Waikare lakes, have been given a rating well below regulations. From Taupō to Port Waikato, it’s been five years since the WRA began implementing the Vision and Strategy to restore and protect the health and well-being of the river in a bid to get the river up to clean and healthy standards. Within 20 to 30 years, the WRA believe they will begin to see results in the restoration.

by James Speedy

New Zealand’s “100% pure” image is looking Tattered says Forum of the Future founder Sir Jonathon Porritt. He recently made his comments as chair of Air New Zealand’s sustainability panel, to a gathering of 20 city council delegates and community leaders. Porritt told 20 city council representatives and community leaders that New Zealand had suffered “a phenomenal amount” of environmental degradation over many years, and some very poor management practices. New Zealand was at a point where it had to do a stocktake on the environment it was degrading. “It’s sure absolutely it cannot go on doing that any longer.” He identified the dairying industry as inflicting “horrendous” damage to waterways and soil quality, only because “it was given permission to degrade significantly the natural capital on which it depends.” This was “not clever” he added.. Forestry operated without much concern for runoff which had done “massive damage” to fisheries through increased sedimentation. Jonathan Porrit said New Zealand’s natural environment was the single most important reason why tourist visitors came “It seems to me that this is a real turning point. Concerns about climate change had jolted people into a new awareness of how fragile the exploitive economy was. He said renewable energy technology, particularly solar power was vital. “In a way, freeing yourself from grid-delivered electricity, often from utilities who you’re pretty sure are ripping you off at every turn, becomes quite attractive.”

Humankind was facing its greatest ever challenge, how to live sustainably, and doing so at a time of too much population growth and when many political systems around

the world were going backwards. “Smart businesses, progressive companies, can do a lot, but they can’t do it without smart, scientifically-literate politicians,” he said.

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What is the difference between us!!!! A trawler is still a trawler Customary fishers have an allowance given to them for traditional reasons only. They may not sell or trade their customary allowance and that allowance is not transferable. They may employ a commercial fisher to catch part of their allowance if the permit with the amount required is in the possession of the fisher. IWI have Commercial Quota that can be commercially fished and the fish may be sold, but their Quota cannot be sold or transferred from the IWI that it was given to them under the Treaty of Waitangi. Like customary they may hire commercial fishers to catch their fish. Other commercial fishers that have quota may sell or trade their quota. Recreational fishers are governed by day catch, but an allowance is also allowed for, as an estimate for the entire fishing area, under MPI management. The minister will also allow for other mortality, be it poaching, misreporting or a natural event. This is called the TAC or the total allowable catch and is supposed to be set at a sustainable levels by the Minister of Primary Industries,

who by law must make every effort to gather the information from all sources to make this decision a sustainable one for the future fishery. So what the hell happened. With all these safeguards in place how did the Hawkes Bay/MBS/Bay of Plenty along with other deep water fish like Blue Nose, Orange Roughy, some stocks of Hoki and so on, get so badly depleted? The Director of Fisheries Management David Turner and Minister Nathan Guy disregarded all the safe guards, in their pursuit to follow a corporate bankers bright idea to ‘double the export value’ by 2025. Yes, they did consult with lobby groups like Legasea and others because they had a legal mandate to do so, but then disregarded their advice. We know of commercial fishers who said no to Quota increases, but MPI did it anyway. Cray 9 is one of those areas that have the best sustainable fishery like the Chathams because they did it themselves. Surely, we are not so unlucky as to have four incompetent people influencing the fishery, namely the then President of the National Party, Pe-

ter Goodfellow, Prime Minister John Key, Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Director of Fisheries Management David Turner. Of course it’s not that, what they did to the fishery was deliberate. But they missed two things. First, they run out of fish before their nine years was up. Second, the reaction of the recreational fishers shocked them all, as they thought that they could put up with flack from us, until the newspaper was wrapped around Fridays fish and chips. John Key said that it appeared NZ’ers care more about a few fish than they do about national security. He was right national security is his job, he should tell the Taliban to rack off, because we’re going fishing and when we do we don’t want to see any of his export trawlers off our beaches or the scallop fishers for that matter. IF you see any sort of commercial fishing in the recreational only reserves that is not aquaculture then we will do what the Northlanders did and kick the National Party into touch.

UNNECESSARY OVERFISHING OF THE HAURAKI GULF The commercial long-liners and gill-netters stand to lose their ability to fish in the Hauraki Gulf if the proposed Recreational Fishing Reserve goes ahead which it is very likely to do. So now the long-liners and gill-netters are out in the upper Hauraki Gulf in force. We have counted five longliner boats which tend to have around 40,000 hooks, and several gillnetters who put out between 100-300 nets. Also a twin hull

cat with small boats off the side. While all this is legal and there’s nothing we can do about it they will take everything that they possibly can before the ban comes into place. This shows the level of arrogance and total disregard that they have for the fish and the fishery. THIS IS OVER-FISHING THE AREA and is totally unnecessary, in fact its bordering on being spiteful. Fish Fight Aotearoa is asking every recreational fisherman to put there boat in the water next Sunday

March 20th around 3pm onwards and to steam down around the Kaiaia area and to anchor and fish. This will temporarily stop them carrying out there overfishing practice. Please pass this onto your fishing friends and fishing clubs. We will film the action and forward to TVNZ for screening. Meanwhile if any of your members is able to take photos we would welcome them and please email to admin@fishfightaotearoa.com

Launch forfeit for undersize scallops

A bin of largely undersize scallops saw a launch forfeit to the Crown when a recreational fisher was sentenced in Nelson District Court last week (25 February). Colin James McKinney, 69, self-

employed, of Blenheim, was convicted of failing to immediately return undersize shellfish back into the waters from which they were taken, after a 2 day defended hearing in December 2015. Judge D C Ruth fined Mr McKinney $1000. The 10.8m wooden launch used to gather the scallops was forfeit to the Crown. Ministry for Primary Industries District Compliance Manager Nelson/ Marlborough Ian Bright said the Marlborough Sounds scallop fishery is currently at a low point, and illegal activity threatens a resource that is highly valued by the community.

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Fishery officers stopped Mr McKinney’s launch in outer Pelorus Sound in July 2015 approximately 2km from the scallop bed where those aboard had recently been dredging for scallops. There were 2 bins of scallops on board – 1 containing 104 legal sized scallops, the other containing 155 scallops, of which 133 were undersize. Both bins of scallops were clean of mud and other debris. Mr McKinney stated that they had sorted the undersize scallops into a bin while travelling and that they intended to return them to the water. In a written decision Judge Ruth rejected Mr McKinney’s evidence as being “unlikely, nonsensical and unrealistic”, and it was highly likely the undersize scallops “had been specifically cleaned and were ready for consumption by the defendant and others”. Mr Bright said it is very important to return any scallops to the area where they were taken. “Scallops can’t survive in any old place. They live in defined beds and it is important undersize scallops are returned to the area they were taken to ensure they have the best chance of survival. Returning undersize scallops to where and when it suits the skipper is not good enough.” He said size limits are important to protect spawning stock and to ensure scallops can reproduce before they reach a harvestable size.

Do MPI and the commercial fishery big wigs really think we the recreational fisher is really that stupid. To re-brand the PSH net means nothing at all. Tiaki is the new trendy name and means care and protection. Good grief it still trawls on the bottom and destroys any small piece of coral that dares try to grow. They also celebrate the fact that they had harvested 3000 tonne of hoki and sent it to Australia. That’s cool, they can do what they want with fish at 600 metres and as this is purely a deep water commercial fish, if they fish to levels that are not sustainable like they have in the past with other species like orange roughy, through greed, they are the one’s who suffer. But they had the gaul to celebrate this ‘wonder net’ in a high end restaurant with a expertly prepared se-

lection of shallow water inshore fish. This included Snapper, Gurnard, Trevally, Kingfish, and John Dory. If this world changing super net is so good why did the corporate fat cats not eat and celebrate Hoki, Ling, Orange Roughy, and Oreo Dory? It could be that the chef knew what he was doing and knew that even though he may have been an expert in his field, he could not make a piece of Hoki taste like a piece of Snapper. This was nothing more than PR garbage that more of us recreational fishers with social media and newspapers, like this one, see right through. This is still an attempt to ‘double the value’ of our fishing exports by 2025. I have read where scientists have said it is likely that commercial could harvest 12,000 tonne of snapper. This will be part of their plan

all along to increase their catch of high value inshore fishery. No way. And this is the truth behind the Recreational Fishing Parks, they give us a small recreational fishing only area but keep the current seining and trawling areas which are smack in the middle of the spawning grounds, so this PSH (Tiaki) system can catch and deplete more snapper.The no-go area should go across the top of the Hauraki Gulf, as they have done in the MBS. We the recreationl fishers are sick of trawlers and seiners in our inshore fishery. If it’s a trawler it belongs outside the 12nm chart line. Nathan Guy put our recreational day limit down without a reduction in commercial quota. If we have to eat cake they should eat Hoki.

Cameras on Snapper 1 trawlers a joke Nathan Guy MPI has welcomed 100% camera coverage of the Snapper 1 trawl fleet but has failed pathetically from enforcing the installation on seine, long liners and gill netters. “Snapper 1 is New Zealand’s most valuable inshore fishery, covering Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki Gulf and the eastern coast of Northland,” says Mr Guy. “This camera coverage on the 15 key vessels is part of a range of measures in 2013 to improve the management and health of the snapper stock, Guy states. So you have to wonder what his hidden agenda is when the most destructive commercial fishing boats (seiners, long-liners and gill netters) are allowed to go out fishing without scrutiny. If Guy was genuinely interested in the management and health of the fishery says Rhys Smith Fish Fight Aotearoa, then all commercial fishing for export should be banned within 12 nautical miles of the coastline, plus every single commercial vessel should be fitted with cameras, especially when you consider that most fish dumping and high grading comes from those vessels without cameras, especially seiners and long-liners. When you have seiners and trawlers targeting the West Coast fishery and treating this with complete disdain fishing methods and attitudes have to change, he adds. “In addition to cameras on the trawl fleet, a vessel monitoring system is now in place that tracks the location of more than 55 vessels operating in the SNA1 fishery, says Guy. These vessels can be tracked by the

private sector, at http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:173/ centery:-34/zoom:10 and it is very obvious that some AIS systems are turned off when vessels are leaving port and off just before they return. Fish Fight Aotearoa has set up a monitoring system that shows not all is well with many of these vessels. MPI state that they have been working closely with the fishing industry to develop and implement this large-scale electronic monitoring programme. Yet we still see masses of fish floating on the open sea. It is well known that fishing boats gather at night to share loads, high grade and steam further out to sea to dump unwanted fish. MPI refuse to take any action from recreattion fishers who report infringements as they say that without photos and GPS co-ordinates there is no evidence and then commmercial vessels are very quick to come up with plausible excuses justifying their actions, when caught with their pants down. The public has totally lost confidence that our fisheries are being well managed by the MPI and this will be shown in the next elections as the wider community begin to realize the extent of the damage already done as former commercial operators continue to speak up. “Cameras on board the trawlers is a joke, firstly they can’t see below decks and secondly its not that difficult to avoid them when things go wrong,” says a former commercial operator. Commercial fishers were totally against the move and have been

forced to support the initiative, crying that their livelihoods were at stake, but in truth knew that their destructive behaviours would finally be revealed. Initiatives like the new Tiaki PSH net system is nothing more than a cod end which is still used as part of the older diamond mesh trawl net system which is outdated, and forms a wall which fish cannot escape from. Videos and photos of the PSH net do not show exactly how the cod end is fitted to the old out of date nets, and it is believed that this new system is nothing more than a vacuum cleaner to be used in the inshore fishery as the National government strive to destroy the inshore fishery as it moves to fulfill its ‘export double’ agenda by 2030. The newly proposed Recreational Fishing Parks are only a guise to help National in the next elections as their polls continue to fall, mainly because the new park doesn’t address the snapper spawning areas and leaves them open to continued seiner and longline fishing. The area beween the current seine line and the trawl line should be included in the park just to protect the snapper spawning, as this is the area where the most commercial fishing is carried out. BREAKING NEWS - Fish Fight Aotearoa have secured sponsorship for four hours realtime satelite observation every month for the next year, as part of the world-wide fish fight organisations to monitor our trawlers and seiners fishing in the inshore fishery.

Govt memo proposes fishers catch report The proposed fishing parks will ban commercial fishing boats from catching species which are popular with recreational fishers, including snapper, kahawai and john dory and its well overdue. The biggest mistake the government have made is that the proposed parks are not large enough and will not stop the current slaughter of spawning fish by commercial fishers. The proposed parks stop at the seine fishing line which is well inside the spawning area. If the park is to have any effect it must be extended outside the trawl line which runs from the top of the Coromandel Penin-

sula across to Waiheke Island. Otherwise the whole proposal is a joke and a total waste of time. However according to Smith our beloved Environment Minister, Sanfords the Commercial Fishing Company who target species inside the Park, want recreational fishers to report their fishing catch as part of the proposal. I’m still laughing ….. I would have thought that Sanfords would have been managed by someone with more brains, than to propose such a stupid idea. This will never work. They might get it into legislation which will show how brainless the government are, but getting recreational fishers to

carry it out is the joke of the century. This will be political suicide for the government, so maybe it’s a good thing, as we definitely need a change. Seafood New Zealand said “it is time to address accurate reporting on the size of the recreational catch”, including charter operators who were “largely unsupervised”. Charter operators already complete a catch report at the completion of every charter, so clearly Seafood NZ has another agenda or the same level of incompetent management. Quote: ‘Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with pigeons. No matter how good you are, the bird is going to s h i t on the board and strut around like it won anyway.’

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1080 REPLACEMENT NEEDED New Zealand First says a “cleangreen” replacement must be found for 1080 and ground control should also be used for possum control. “Instead of being an importer of Tull’s technical grade 1080, we want New Zealand to become a global leader in the manufacture of cleangreen agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines,” New Zealand First leader and Northland Member of Parliament Rt Hon Winston Peters said in a speech to Agcarm, a

national organisation representing plant and animal science industries. “We would research, develop and deploy a replacement for 1080 and so phase out 1080’s use within New Zealand. “New Zealand First’s policy is to use research and development tax credits to lift private research and development from 0.65 of GDP to around 2%; the government has not spent nearly enough on science and it has completely botched

up publicly funded research. “We believe ground control can be as effective as aerial drops. Sound pest control would turn a problem into an economic opportunity, more so in areas like Northland and the West Coast that share a similar possum scourge and employment challenge. “Ground control will help to form the world’s only ‘ethical eco-fur industry’ within a global fur industry that’s worth $40b,” Mr Peters said.

Outdoors Training For All Youngsters? Fishing, hunting, tramping and other outdoors should be used by government to enhance the well being of New Zealand youngsters says an outdoor recreation advocacy. Andi Cockcroft of the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations (CORANZ) said New Zealand teenagers were at a crisis stage in a troubled, volatile world. “Going outdoors in healthy recreation is a tonic for confused youth, building physical and mental health, self esteem and nurturing an environmental awareness,” he said. Andi Cockcroft was responding to a New Zealand First call for youth as young as 15 to go into the army for job training. “Often kids are disillusioned and disengaged with school and fall into a cycle of welfare dependency, ending up on the scrapheap – but they may fly if given a chance to

learn a trade in the army,” says New Zealand First Social Development Spokesperson Darroch Ball. “There are over 70,000 young people aged between 15 and 24 who are at a loose end and drifting.” Andi Cockcroft said the general concept promoted by NZ First was good but today it should be outdoors-oriented along the lines of Outward Bound. In 1909 government implemented a Compulsory Military Training but that was shortsightedly abolished in 1972 he said. Unfortunately recent governments in the push for economic-based exploitation of natural resources had disregarded the value of the outdoors. The much publicised ailing health of rivers, removal of huts and bridges from the public conservation estate administered by DOC, mindless 1080 poison drops destroying wilderness ecol-

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TB Deliberately Spread by Government New Zealand First says it is incomprehensible that Government agencies are using taxpayers money, and farmers’ Animal Health Levies, to introduce bovine tuberculosis (BTB) into an area previously determined to be free of the disease. TB Free NZ is funding a Landcare research project close to Wellington where possums are deliberately inoculated with TB and then released to spread the disease in the wild, in what is described as a “transmission trial.” TB Free now plans to “cull” the affected animals by way of an otherwise completely unnecessary 1080 poison drop over a huge region of the

Rimutaka Forest Park that borders farmland and includes waterways, hiking tracks, and hunting areas. “They know the 1080 won’t get all the possums, but 1080 will kill a lot of native birds as well as deer, and the artificially infected surviving possums will probably infect livestock with TB as a result,” says Primary Industries and Outdoor Recreation Spokesperson Richard Prosser. “Answers to our written questions provided by the Minister of Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, prove that no pigs, possums or deer have been found with naturally occurring TB in this area - unless, as New Zealand First has discovered, you count

the possums infected artificially. The minister claims that TB infected cattle have been found in the area – clearly they either caught TB from other cattle or they got it from deliberately infected possums. There are questions that need serious answers here. Which Ministers knew about this, and when did they know? Do farmers know that the agency that is supposed to be eradicating TB is instead deliberately spreading it, using farmers’ money? Who approved this ludicrous and grossly irresponsible experiment?

Forest Die-back not Possums But Climate

ogy, disrespect to recreational wild animals and commercial over-exploitation of inshore fisheries were by James Speedy all negatives for New Zealanders enjoying the outdoors he said. However encouraging youngsters into the outdoors and teaching them outdoor skills was an “economic winner” with resultant better citizens tomorrow, healthier people thus lowering crime fighting and health costs. Statistics showed New Zealand’s teenage suicide, obesity and crime rates were increasing. “Youngsters are struggling, in case government hasn’t noticed. Besides trainees could also be employed doing tasks on public conservation land such as hut and track maintenance which the Department of Conservation has let slip,” he said.

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fects of drought. Though Hawkes Bay Waipawa records show severe drought in the years 1914 – 15, it was not till 1917, several years later that the full damage was obvious,” said Bill Benfield. A case in point was Northland, where drought has been declared in both January and December 2010 and again in 2013. It was no surprise then, that meteorologist Dr Jim Sallinger was reported in the NZ Herald of April, 2013 that forest was at risk of die back over a wide area from Wairarapa to Northland. Without significant rain, Dr Salinger predicted century old native trees were at risk of dying due to drought. Author Tony Orman of the Council of Outdoor Recreation Assns of NZ (CORANZ) said irrational green zealA rare road killed possum. Few road kills indicate low possum numbers. ots had long seized on any opportunity to blame wild animals and Claims by a Northland Forest the picture. Baigent Mercer found to justify on “totally false grounds” and Bird advocate that possums it in the possum,” said Bill Benfield. the use of poisons like 1080. He were defoliating possums were He said possum numbers were low said he recalled from decades ago wrong says a Wairarapa conser- as indicated by very low “road-kill” in the Southern Ruahine Ranges vationist and author Bill Benfield. of possums. Observable road kill Forest and Bird blaming a combiHe attributed the true in Northland was very low indicat- nation of “deer and possums” for cause to climate changes. ing that animal numbers were low. the dead spars of giant forest trees. Concern had been voiced at Dean Baigent Mercer claimed “Those spars still evident today the region’s kauri tree dieback. the forest “was being skinned was from a succession of droughts “It is just the sort of crisis that would alive” by a plague of possum. 1909-15 which Dr Patrick Grant be vulnerable to capture and be But Bill Benfield said die-back of talked about,” he said. “It was capitalised on by commercial con- forest due to climatic events such nothing to do with wild animals.” servation interests,” said Bill Ben- as drought were nothing new.The Footnote: Bill Benfield’s “The Third field. “This indeed appears to be the journals of the first botanists and Wave” and “At War with Nature” case as Forest and Bird’s Northland explorers such as William Colen- dealing with the wild animal pest chairman, Dean Baigent Mercer at- so in the 1840’s chronicled a forest myth and misuse of poisons were tempted to do by blaming possums.” in a state of change, mainly from published by Tross Publishing A long and fanatical proponent climatic factors. Fifty years before Wellington. Enquire to Tross Pubof the use of 1080, Baigent Mercer deer and possums were introduced, lishing or through a book-seller. even held a handler’s license William Colenso found massive slips Tony Orman’s book “About for the deadly 1080 poison. and fallen forests from storms. In Deer and Deerstalking” which “Such a zealot would be anxious to the 1980s, botanist and hydrolo- deals in part with the deer pest have a crisis that can be manipulated gist Dr Patrick Grant identified se- myth is available from P O Box to provide an excuse to use poisons. vere droughts in the early 20th 939, Blenheim or enquire to mail <botonz@icloud.com> The drought damaged forests are a century as the cause of die-back. e heaven sent opportunity that just “ An interesting feature is the needed a bogey man to complete delayed impact of the real ef-

First Hand Account of Bird Deaths by 1080 - by James Speedy

A pest destruction worker has gone public on Facebook over bird deaths due to 1080. Jason Down said that he was “probably responsible” for killing more native birds in three years working on pest operations on Mt Taranaki

(Egmont) than all the stoats in that region did in 20 years. He spent three years working for the regional council on pest work. “Those three years working for the regional council poisoning the hell out of Mount Taranaki and surrounding farms, i’m (now) quite certain without any doubt how harmful 1080 is, “ he said. He said there was a tendency to coverup bird deaths and instanced one occasion when he brought in a dead kiwi thinking an autopsy would reveal whether 1080 killed it or not.” He was told, “why the hell did

you bring that in for, get it to the incinerator fast, if that gets out we will all be out of a job”. Also he talked with his superiors the water works staff were still detecting poison in the waterways up the mountain. “Well after the 1080 drops, boy there would be hell to play if that got out. They all looked after each other to ensure they got more government funding and allocations the next year. That covering up, made me realize how wasteful and corrupt these bureaucrats were, hence I left.” Since leaving and now realising the truth, Jason is strongly opposed to 1080. It was a brave decision for he loved his job, his colleagues were “a great bunch of guys”. Those three years were “years ago”. Now years laters, he’s angry. “I now know the truth, and 1080 has done so much harm all ready, and will do a lot more till its stopped,” he said.

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Deercullers Reunion 9-12 March 2017 A Couple of Fellows in Fallow Country It’s official – the Deercullers Assn will be holding their 2017 Reunion at the Thames Valley Deerstalkers premises, in Paeroa. This reunion is only open to NZ Deercullers Assn Members. There has never been a Deercullers Reunion anywhere in this area up until now so it’s a great opportunity to showcase what

the Coromandel has to offer. The group who are spearheading this reunion are: Andy Leigh, Brian Neilson, Fred Dickson, Jock Spinks and Shaun Neustroski so it will be a top weekend for sure. If anyone is able to assist or help out with anything at all during this time, please get in touch with Maureen, Jock or Brian. They are looking

for billeting/accommodation, supplying produce, helping out in the kitchen, being a driver for a mini van or being prepared to put their hand up for other jobs as they come along. Please email/ring Maureen Coleman on a.j.coleman@xtra.co.nz or 027 3337786, Jock Spinks on 07 862 4883 or Brian Neilson 027 8910958 or brianneilson@xtra.co.nz

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Logan Clark a member of the Thames Valley Deerstalkers Association (14yrs) has made the NZ Junior Sporting Clay Team to travel to Adelaide for the Oceania shooting Championships in April 2016. This is 3 Generations of the Clark’s to represent NZ in sporting clays. His grandfather Gordon & Dale Clark are seen here with Logan. Good kiwi blokes making us all proud! The very best of luck Logan.

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‘I’m on my way home’, I told my wife. “It’s not Thursday’, was the reply. ‘How come you’re early?’ ‘We can’t fit any more deer into the back of the ute’ ‘Yeah right’ she said disbelievingly, but it was true. Bill and I were on our way home with five deer after three days hunting fallow down Wanganui way. It had all started with a phone call from Bill inviting me to go hunting with him to a mate’s place where he’s setting up a bowhunting safari lodge. Initially I declined because of work commitments but I was so glad I’d changed my mind. The day we arrived we spotted a mob of about 25 deer on the flats on the drive in. They’d trotted into the bush edge and stood there just watching us as we very slowly drove past watching them which seemed like a good sign of things to come. After settling in to the hut we had a cup of tea, got into our gear and headed up the valley. Just inside the bush edge, about 200 metres, Bill spotted three does and suggested I go ahead and have first crack. I stalked towards them; they were out in the open in some longish grass. I had plenty of trees to sneak behind and got to within 20metres, drew back my bow, took, what I thought was, careful aim on the brisket and released an arrow. I heard the arrow strike and by the sound of it, it was a little too far back. The doe took off and disappeared into some tea tree on the other side of the clearing. I retrieved my arrow and one look confirmed what I thought; it had nicked the gut. No sense in trying to follow her because she could run for miles. I’d come back in the morning. Early the next morning Bill headed up the valley and I waited awhile to give him a chance of seeing anything close by then I wandered down to find my doe. After photographing and gutting her I hoisted her onto my back and ambled back to the hut. Looking at my blood covered shirt and the ute nearby it dawned on me I could have driven to the recovery spot and back and stayed clean. ‘Clown’ I thought to myself. (Older but not wiser it seems). Since it was still pretty early I decided to head down the valley since I didn’t know where Bill was. After climbing up about 300 metres inside the bush edge I spotted two does which promptly disappeared into the bush so I carried on and saw two more. I started moving in for a shot when a buck started croaking which really

upset the does who took off real fast away from the buck. I tried stalking him but only caught a glimpse before he went quiet and disappeared. I continued on towards an open slip face covered in toitoi and long grass and saw two does on the far side so I started to stalk them when suddenly a doe crashed through the long grass 10 metres away and stood there presenting me with an awkward angled front on shot. The arrow hit just left of centre at the base of her neck and out under her shoulder blade. She staggered off with blood pouring from her neck. Next, the buck that was with her came into view and stopped about 60 meters away behind a small toitoi. He was safe so I turned my attention to the blood trail and there was a lot of it. Following it was easy until about halfway down the hill the blood trail stopped. That’s when I heard an old fence twang at the bottom of the hill. I rushed out to an open space but could see nothing. I walked the fence line inspecting all the gaps but there was no sign so it was back up the hill to the last blood sign to look again, crisscrossing my way down the slope. After an hour and a half of searching I was stumped. I knew she was somewhere in that long grass but I needed another pair of eyes so I went back to the hut and met up with Bill. After a bit of lunch we drove down to start searching again and after about 15 minutes Bill found her about 20 metres from where I had stopped looking. Incredibly she was still alive. It was then that Bill asked ‘Where’s your bow?’ Hmm good question; it was back at the hut. ‘Where’s yours?’ Also back at the hut. we hadn’t expected to find the doe alive. I jumped back into the ute and took off to retrieve the bows while Bill stayed behind to keep an eye on the doe. Back again I looked for a clear shot to finish her off but could only see one ear and half a head; not a good option for a shot. Suddenly the doe jumped up and took off when Bill dropped her with his arrow. This time we loaded her into the ute to get back to the hut; no backpacking this time. Bill had also had success so we drove up the track to pick up his doe to make three hanging in the meat safe. Tuesday morning saw another early start and Bill had a shot at a doe about 300 metres from the hut. She gave a bark and took off into some scrub. All we found was a small patch of skin and hair.

We carried on with Bill in the lead and a couple more missed shots at does when a buck started croaking and a doe snorting and barking at us. Bill decided to go after the buck so I followed the doe. Unfortunately she heard me and trotted off in no great hurry, so I did the same and spotted another deer about 10 metres away, front on with its head down behind a bush. I lined up on its neck and released an arrow. The impact knocked it over backwards and it rolled down the slope about 5 metres. ‘You’re finished’, I thought, but no, it got up and ran into the bush. These fallow are tough buggers so I sat down and waited and as I sat it ran out of the bush and down the slope where it lay down in plain view. I could see the exit wound through my binoculars; out the left shoulder, so I stayed and watched. By now I knew it was a spiker. I could see my arrow close by so I went to get it and as I did the spiker got up and trotted off across the track and into the scrub by the creek. ‘Bugger’. Back to blood trailing again. Down the slope I went and cast around until I found the spot it had been lying. I tracked it to the edge of the scrub and found more blood but as I bent down to mark the spot I heard it run off through the long grass so I left it to settle down and went to find Bill. I didn’t want to walk too far up the track because I didn’t know where Bill was and my scent could ruin any stalk that Bill might be attempting. Half an hour later Bill showed up looking very smug. He’d shot a good buck and was certain it was over a bank and dead from a good lung shot. I told him about the spiker and it would need two of us to search the long grass but first we had to look for the doe he had shot the evening before. After a lot of searching we found small amounts of blood that led nowhere so we gave up since we still had two deer to recover. We decided on my spiker first as Bill was sure his buck was dead. After having no luck finding a blood trail in the long grass Bill eventually saw the spiker move out onto the edge of the creek. An arrow through the lungs left it floundering around in the creek. ‘You’re going to get a wet arse boy’, chuckled Bill. I looked at Bill, then at the spiker which had come close to a bank that I was standing on, reached down and grabbed it and pulled it ashore. All I got was a wet hand and a comment from Bill, ‘Tin arse’. Recovering Bill’s buck wasn’t an easy task; it had fallen 10 metres below us in long grass in an impossible place to gut it so we had to drag it back to the top bank. We loaded it in the ute, went back for the spiker and headed back to the hut. There were now 5 deer in the meat safe and it was only lunchtime on Tuesday. We weren’t due out until Thursday lunchtime but decided to head off the next day. On the way we called in to say goodbye to Bill’s mate who was as disbelieving as my wife when he heard we had five deer. It had been a great couple of days; we were two happy fellows in fallow country.

Northern forest and wetland gem secured The Nature Heritage Fund (NHF) purchase of an important area of native forest, wetland and river flats near Dargaville, Northland. The $655,000 NHF grant is supported by a contribution of $55,000 from the Northland Fish and Game Council. The 342 hectare site, 5 km east of Dargaville, is alongside the Manganui and Wairoa Rivers. Three hundred hectares is remnant kauri, podocarp, hardwood forest and wetland, with the balance being drained river flats containing remnant areas of kahikatea. “The Department of Conservation and the Northland Fish and Game Council have worked together with the Nature Heritage Fund to secure permanent protection of this land for its outstanding scenic and ecological qualities,” Ms Wagner says.

“A survey completed 18 months ago confirmed the outstanding conservation features and habitat values of the area. “The remnant forest and wetland area will be classified as scenic reserve for ongoing management by DOC, while the river flats will be classified a local purpose (wildlife management) reserve and vested in the Northland Fish and Game Council. “By working hand-in-hand with local organisations, like Northland Fish & Game, we can achieve better conservation outcomes for communities,” Ms Wagner says. Northland Fish and Game Council Regional Manager Rudi Hoetjes says the 40-hectare river flat area will be re-established as wetland habitat. “As soon as I saw this area, I was struck by its environmental im-

portance and conservation value. Fish & Game is pleased to have the support of the Minister and DOC in our plans to protect and return it to its former glory for future generations,” Mr Hoetjes says. Once restoration is complete, waterfowl game bird hunting will be allowed. The area will also provide top quality habitat for native species such as mudfish, bittern, herons and pied stilts. Ponding of adjacent river margins will also eventually provide important habitat for spawning whitebait and threatened eel populations. Since 1990 the Nature Heritage Fund has protected over 340,000 hectares of indigenous ecosystem through legal and physical protection (for example direct purchase, covenanting or fencing).

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Outdoor Council Critical of Government Fishery Plans by James Speedy

Government proposals for Marine Protected Areas will adversely affect recreational fishing and do little or nothing to help the overall fishery says the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ (CORANZ) on “Scoop News”. CORANZ co-chairman Bill Benfield of the Wairarapa said instead the solution for the good of the fishing should be to properly manage the fishery in total. “Reserves won’t totally solve the problem of mismanagement and over-fishing. The solution is to properly manage the whole fishery,” he said. Bill Benfield said government proposals had been over-shadowed by pre-occupation with the two proposed recreational fishing parks in the Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds. “Either by coincidence or deliberately, this has tended to over-shadow the main thrust of proposals.” However dealing with recreational

fishing park proposals, CORANZ felt the concept was good or flawed depending on the area. “Frankly it’s full of fish hooks,” said Bill Benfield. “as in the Marlborough Sounds fish migrate in and out of parks and will be caught under the QMS by commercial. In addition recreational fishing outside the two parks will become even more diminished as the argument will be recreational public have their parks, so that it’s likely to be used as a political football to dismiss concerns by the public about fish stocks outside the parks.” However in the case of the Hauraki Gulf a different set of circumstances operated. At the moment commercial gillnetting and longliners took around 870 ton of fish accounted for from inside the seine line. Calculations showed 145,000 recreational boats would be needed to equate to that amount of fish. Bill Benfield said that did not not take into account the present

catch of charter and recreational. “ But it sums up nicely what commercial take. Nor does it take into account what commercial dump. The problem is commercial not recreational.” The commercial take (870 tonnes) would be thus saved. Reports from Auckland indicated most people that actually fished in the Gulf want commercial out. A key issue was to protect spawning fish. To achieve this, the proposed seine line should be extended to the trawl line to protect the spawning fish. “Getting the Hauraki Park at the right size to protect spawning is the first step.” Ideally the best interests for all would be to have abundant fish stock, but realistically that was not likely given the commercial companies and ministry’s attitude. “History shows that,” said Bill Benfield. “Too often under the QMS, it’s a gold rush mental-

ity until by falling catches and attrition the species is left.” Bill Benfield said recreational fishing had a value way above commercial. A forgotten economic study back about 2000 showed based on just five species, the value of recreational fishing to the economy was $983 million. “That was a billion dollars back then. Today it could be $1.3 or more billion.” Government recognition and investment in recreation fishing would be an economic winner. On marine protected areas (MPAs) the proposals will result in very large areas closed to all fishing. Recreational fishing which has no significantly adverse impact on fish stocks, will become banned. Another negative impact was that with substantial areas closed, fishing effort would be shifted into areas outside thus increasing intensity of effort. He cited the Marlborough Sounds ban on recreational blue cod fish-

Outdoor Council Say ‘No’ To Dutch Fish Farm A national outdoor recreation council has opposed a resource consent application by a Dutch-based corporate fish farm company which wants to set up a research complex in Okiwi Bay, Marlborough Sounds. The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand (CORANZ) said fish farming was “poor compensation” for New Zealand’s over-fished sea fish stocks. Skrettings has applied to the Marlborough District Council for a resource consent to build a land-based operation at Okiwi Bay, an hour and a half drive from Nelson. Skrettings a world wide corporate, had a dedicated fin fish research facility in Norway and research units in Italy, Spain, China and Japan plus other research arrangements elsewhere. CORANZ secretary Hugh Bar said New Zealand’s fisheries needed proper management instead of a free market tradeable-based quota system. “The tradeable side simply gives corporate companies a monopoly of the resource”. “Skrettings are about fish farming which in itself is a high risk operation with disease not uncommon. Fish farming because of crowded ponds raises con-

Hugh Barr - “patriotic” not “xenophobic”

Mystery whales put on show Beaked whales are classified as toothed whales (like killer whales and sperm whales). Arnoux beaked whales occur throughout the South Pacific and Southern Ocean including New Zealand waters. They grow up to 9.75 metres long. “This is a very special, scientifically significant sighting. People just normally don’t get to see them. The question is, are the whales just being nosy or are they searching for new feeding grounds? If they do visit this area then in future, we may be able to study them in this ecosystem, which would be a fantastic research opportunity.” Arnoux beaked whales at Scott Base by Karl Johnson

A rare appearance by Arnoux beaked whales at Scott Base has Gateway Antarctica scientist Dr Regina Eisert excited about research possibilities. Recently, a group of nine large whales appeared at Scott Base. The whales put on an exuberant display, tail-slapping, breaching, and leaping clear out of the water. The rare sighting was made possible by the sea ice breaking out, something which happens every few years in McMurdo Sound, creating panoramic views of the open ocean. The whales came up at the southern end of McMurdo Sound, right against the edge of the Ross ice shelf. They stayed in the area for

about half an hour, and then disappeared as suddenly as they had come. “Based on their appearance and the location, these are probably Arnoux beaked whales (Berardius arnuxii). Beaked whales are the ‘mystery’ whales and sightings are few and far between. It’s very exciting to have them show up right outside Scott Base.”

Gateway Antarctica scientist Dr Regina Eisert

ing which shifted and intensified pressure to outside the closed area. Proposals for self-reporting of catches by the recreational public would leave many wondering as to the purpose or motive. “Why? The major concern is around commercial fishing pressure under the QMS with corporate players increasingly dominating the fishing effort and over-fishing stocks. Not with recreational fishing.” Bill Benfield cited resources such as kahawai being plundered by company purse seiners and the Nelson-Marlborough scallop beds which had been overfished by company scallop fleets. It was in the interests of all sectorscommercial, recreational and customary to have “fish in abundance” and a well managed fishery. The Wellington Marine Recreational Fishers’ Association also expressed deep concern over government plans. Jim Mikoz, association president said the lack of marine

part of the Skrettings plan was to carry out rainbow trout farming research which CORANZ siderably the risk of diseases.” said was was an illegal activity. Fish losses have been high at King “Should the proposal have been Salmon’s farms in the Queen Char- rejected because it wants a prolotte Sound of the Marlborough hibited use which to revoke would Sounds and were dismissed of- require an amendment to an Act ten as “unexplained” while sedi- of Parliament?” said Hugh Barr. ment from farms containing ex- CORANZ emphasised the Marlcess food and fish excreta had borough Sounds with outdoor degraded the Sounds’ sea bed. recreation of fishing, boating, From Skrettings proposed plant tramping and holiday making was effluent in the form of suspend- a significant public asset of the ed solids would be discharged public domain. A Marlborough into Okiwi Bay with the outlet Sounds public park with National pipe close to the shore in the park like protection and no more area popular for swimming and aquaculture permitted was needed. where boats were launched. “The old Marlborough Sounds

knowledge by Government Departments was a very serious flaw. “It would be naive for Government to introduce a new Act to bring in MPA’s and then ask for our input only to see our marine knowledge openly described as being worthless by Government contracted scientists, lawyers and managers from NIWA, DOC and MPI who have not the experience, time, knowledge or the funds to have carried out the research we have done.” Government proposals described four categories of marine protection one of which was seabed reserves yet ignored ecologically invaluable estuaries. “The value and function of our estuaries and the function of the intertidal waters that change twice a day is a serious omission from this proposed MPA Act that must be corrected by their inclusion.”

Maritime Park Board concept could be reinstated with democratically elected board and a ban on further “industrial” commercial aquaculture,” said Hugh Barr. He said New Zealanders were increasingly concerned about foreign investment. “Developers and politicians can dismiss this concern as “xenophobic” but CORANZ like a growing number of Kiwis, regards the concern as admirably “patriotic”,” he said. Corporates, particularly foreign, have no interest in the environment or intangibles like outdoor recreation and corporates number one priority was exploitation and profits added Hugh Barr.

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Waterways success The University of Canterbury’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr and Lincoln University’s Acting ViceChancellor Dr John Hay have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding governing the next five years of operations of the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management (Waterways). One of the first cross-university teaching and research centres in the country, Waterways has successfully delivered teaching and research programmes in Water Resource Management for five years, and the signing of the new agreement included a celebration of the Centre’s success. Many of the more than 50 academic members of the Centre, along with representatives of the Centre’s Advisory Board and Consultative Committee attended to

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Moa and Deer Browsing Similar

NIWA, Aqualinc Research, Irrigation NZ, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Fish & Game New Zealand. “The advice and guidance they by James Speedy hear both Vice-Chancellors speak have provided over several years about senior management’s con- has helped the centre achieve and tinued commitment to Waterways. maintain an essential relevance The two universities view the cen- to New Zealand freshwater water tre as the focal point for improving management concerns. Our memknowledge-driven water resource bership within the universities conmanagement in New Zealand. tinues to expand, diversifying the Alongside existing water organisa- freshwater research we undertake tions, Waterways increases skills, and therefore the expertise we can knowledge, and awareness in the bring to bear on water managewater sector. It encourages strong ment issues both in New Zealand co-operation between the two and offshore,” Webster-Brown says. universities to effect institutional Waterways is a critical link in providchange leading to better educa- ing improved teaching and assocition outcomes for the country. ated research in water resources, Waterways’ Director Professor the professor says. It serves the Jenny Webster-Brown says that unique and ever increasing depart of the Centre’s success is due mands in Canterbury for improved to its close association with key water resource management, and stakeholders in New Zealand water as a national centre of interdiscimanagement, including those rep- plinary educational excellence. resented on the Centre’s Advisory Board; Environment Canterbury, Re-creation of giant moas at Palmerston, North Otago.

The baitcannon at work

but apparently not to any fish.” The conditions were a bit weird to expect fish to be biting though. Mark Gulliver recently purchased hadn’t checked that the weight and Windy, rough surf that started about a Big Bertha Baitcannon and bait were properly at the bottom of 300 to 400 metres offshore, and took it to Ruapuke to test it out. the barrel. No witnesses saw it flop even the heavy weight wasn’t hold“I made it out alive, no loss out about 50 yards away,” he laughs. ing the bait and line against some of gear, no loss of limb or “I have it fairly sussed now .... currents heading off up the beach. blood, but no fish,” he said. I just need to chuck it out in I built the baitcannon pres“The baitcannon worked some sea that has fish in it.” sure up slowly to 100psi, really well, though!” “All my baits were coming and got good distance. “I cast out a half dozen times or so back intact, unbitten at all. Now I just need to fish smart. with the only dud being when I Looked good enough to eat, A couple drove several miles down a country road not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither wanted to concede their position. As they passed a farm with donkeys and pigs in the front paddock the wife asked sarcastically, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep”, replied the husband, “In-laws.”

At breakfast, the husband says to his wife, “What would you do if I won the Lotto? I’d take my half and leave you,” she says. “Great” he says. “Here’s $6. I won $12 yesterday! Stay in touch.”

Canterbury Museum has been doing work using “state of art 3D modelling” and has given greater insight into New Zealand’s vegetation prior to humans migrating here and how the ‘bush’ had evolved. It appears deer and other browsing wild animals are similar to the browsing by moas and other birds such as the pigeon and kokaho. Canterbury museum’s senior natural history curator Professor Paul Scofield said “the giant moa had a very strong bill (with) the ability to bite through thick twigs and sticks, but some small moas probably were grazing very much like sheep.” The nine species of moa utilised the vegetation and had a considerable browsing impact. Moas became extinct 500 years ago due to hunting by Maori and fire destruction of their habitat by Maori and natural causes.

“They probably created much more open forest, eating understorey, biting through thick sticks. We strongly suspect that what we call pristine forest is nothing like the pristine forest prior to human arrival,” said Professor Scofield. “It has implications for conservation efforts going forward,” he added. Anti-deer advocates such as the Forest and Bird Society and even government departments such as the old NZ Forest Service and todays Department of Conservation have erroneously painted a picture of New Zealand’s vegetation evolving in the absence of browsing. This in spite of a number of scientists pointing out vegetation evolved in the presence of avian browsing of the bush and grasses and that deer and other wild animals have generally filled the niche in the

ecosystem, once filled by moas and other birds over millions of years. Landcare Research estimated there were 250,000 wild deer in New Zealand. As to moa, renowned New Zealand ecologist the late Dr Graeme Caughley estimated the moa population at several million. In line with Canterbury Museum curator’s comment that “what we call pristine forest is nothing like the pristine forest prior to human arrival,” Dr. Caughley said “the pre-1400 AD plant herbivore system (with moa browsing) was much closer ecologically to the post-1850 system (with deer etc., browsing) than either was to that existing between the two dates i.e. 1400 to 1850.” In other words, as Professor Scofield said the forest of early European settler times was much different to the forest moas browsed over millions of years prior to being made extinct. Tony Orman author of “About Deer and Deerstalking” which detailed the moa/deer browsing question said the dogmatic persistence of departments and Forest and Bird in continuing the myth of “destructive deer” was “factually incorrect and irresponsible”. “They have caused millions of dollars of public money to be wasted on a destructive policy,” he said. “There should be no place for words like pest or control. Instead the two words should be replaced by resource and management respectively.” He pointed out NZ was now in a newly evolved 21st century ecosystem where introduced pastures, sheep, cattle and crops - and humans - were part of the new scene.

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The first underwater images ever released of the revolutionary new PSH (Tiaki) fishing technology shows how it could radically change the global fishing industry. The operative word used here is ‘could”. But its what the video doesn’t show that is alarming. New Zealand commercial fishing state that they are moving towards more sustainable fishing practices through new harvesting technology. Really. So how come reports indicate that overfishing and dumping is rampart around our inshore fishery. In November 2012, the MPI reported that New Zealand’s fisheries were ‘in good shape’, yet many people with intimate knowledge of the fishing shook their heads in disbelief. How would they possibly know? Many asked. Their stock reports are from 1997 data. And that data is from what was landed by commercial, and doesn’t include what was dumped. They simply don’t have the research, its straight guesswork. We’ve got the best quota management system in the world, commercial fishers say. And yes they’re correct but times have past and now it needs a huge overhaul. Commercial fishers frustration with the MPI and the politics out of Wellington is simmering as they can’t understand why successive governments have done little to remedy obvious holes in the Quota Management System (QMS). They have to land every gurnard they catch, and the small fish end up in the dump or crayfish pots. But when it comes to snapper, trevally, and tarakihi, they have to throw the small fish back, and those fish are not recorded, and most of them are dead, anyway. Its ludicrous. So why the different treatment? Commercial fishers don’t know. They’ve asked the Ministry, and they don’t know either. Another big hole in the system is deem value they state. Deem value is paying for over catching.

For example: trevally is being caught over quota by 76%, and the Ministry make us pay a small fine per kilo for over-quota, but we sell it on for $8 to $9, so it’s worth it to catch what you want and pay the fine. What’s more they say, instead of taking the over-catch off the following year’s quota, we start off with a clean slate, but if we under-catch, it gets passed over to the next year. In a sustainable fishery you need past data to look back on, say the commercial fishers, but that hasn’t been available since the quota management system came in 1997. Countries like the UK have been going up and down the same patch twice a year for 25 years, with the same net, at the same time, and after 25 years they see a trend. NZ hasn’t done that so how do we know the fishery is sustainable. New Zealand’s reputation for sustainable fishing has been badly tarnished by mismanagement , continual dumping, high grading and cover-ups. Many trawl nets are the same as they were at the turn of the 19th century, that’s how antiquated our fishing methods are. Rick Burch from Napier has designed a trawl net that’s like a spiders web; ultra thin, no resistance in the water, and that lets the small fish escape. Fisheries scientist Oliver Wade, who is involved in the project stated that the new square mesh net performed brilliantly. It’s world-leading technology. When a standard trawling net is under pressure the mesh closes off making it impossible for juvenile fish to escape, and this is the problem with the new PSH net. With the new square mesh net it stays open allowing fish escape. It has less drag through the water which saves on fuel, and has less impact on the sea bed. The Ministry has to recognize there’s a serious problem, they won’t admit it and they have to put aside the

politics if we’re to move forward. Wade helped Burch with the science behind the new net and wrote the 30-page report. Wade said he did not know it had not been made public, but said the whole thing was a “political minefield”, the MPI weren’t interested. Wade’s report said discards had not been recorded in New Zealand fishing data and authorities had no idea how much fish was being dumped. Industry sources say the research pointed to about 200 inshore trawlers dumping about 4000 fish every trip for 35 trips a year - 140,000 fish. Rather than a traditional net, the new system uses a PVC liner that holds water within a tunnel, cutting stress, fatigue and physical damage to fish in the harvesting process. But simply put this new PSH thing is just a cod end at the end of the net. The trawl net is still the same old triangle net system that has been used for thousands of years. Trawling is still trawling – it doesn’t matter what you call it. And just where is this new fandangled net going to be used? In the spawning area of the Hauraki Gulf, where our precious snapper stocks gather every year to breed. Is this the new target, use this fancy PSH net to catch the snapper in bulk just to exprt them for cash. When is our government going to wake up. The proposed recreational fishing parks are a great idea, but the boundary doesn’t protect the spawning snapper!! Hello, is anyone listening. Once the fish are gone and decimated as they have been in many other areas around NZ it will take a long time for them to recover and we don’t want to see that happen. Commercial fishing state that there would be more adequately-sized fish in the ocean if they were not being caught accidentally as juveniles, yet they refuse to change there fishing methods. So what has changed?

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World record holder takes top prize

A boat that set a world speed record in 1968 was back on the water to take the top prize at this year’s NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show, held at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park over the weekend, March 5 and 6 2016. Around 120 clinkers, steam launches, classic motorboats, sailing dinghies and their owners enjoyed two days of boating and chatting about boats, with the Jens Hansen trophy for best vessel overall going to Bel Air III, owned by the Knight family of Christchurch. Peter Knight Snr built the 13ft 8in hydroplane from plywood and white pine in 1965. Powered by a Ford V6 Essex (Mark 4 Zephyr), Bel Air achieved several Australasian records in the late ‘60s and set a world record at Lake Ruataniwha in 1968 with a speed of 177.36mph. Bel Air was retired from racing in 1970

in each category worthy of winning,” he said. “But people are not in it for the prizes, they’re in it for a great day of boating and I’d like to commend them all for their effort and enthusiasm for classic boats.” Other award winning boats were: Best New Craft: 30ft replica ‘bootlegger’, Baby Thunder, owned by Bruce Judge of Wellington. Best Restoration: 18ft 1933 clinker Classy Lady, Wellington, restored in 2015 by Ian Stevens of Christchurch. Port Nelson House Parts best rowed craft: Four replica classic dories built for the youth of Marlborough, owned and entered by the and ‘sat in the garage’ until it was Picton Maritime Committee and restored in 2015 by Peter Knight Jr. shown by the Picton Girl Guides. Boat show organiser Pete Rainey CWF Hamilton trophy for best jet said he is thrilled to announce propelled boat: 19ft 1960’s jet boat that the Knights have decided to Taranui owned by Newton King leave Bel Air III on display in the and Nicky Murdoch of Nelson. Classic Boat Museum at St Arnaud. Mathieson/Jeffcott trophy for “To have a world record holding best motor powered craft: Inhydroplane as part of the display board clinker Quadrille owned will give the museum a boost as by James Carr of Blenheim. year round attraction,” he said. “The Best outboard motor boat: 14ft Knights’ generosity is typical of the 1961 De Havilland Playboy, spirit of sharing of know-how and Zippa owned by Lance Tighe experience that this boat show is Eventiac best themed disall about. It’s been another fan- play: Model boat display, by tastic weekend of sunny weather, Tony Rutledge of Wellington. happy crowds, excellent sailing Ron Culley trophy for best steamconditions and great boating.” boat: 24ft steamboat Shona, Judges’ spokesman John Har- owned by James Dyer of Nelson. ris said the standard of boats People’s Choice: 14ft 1946 ply at the 17th annual boat show runabout Mooski owned by Nelwas making his job difficult. son and Bev North of Blenheim. “It’s becoming very hard to judge when there are three or four boats

Matt’s father picked him up after school and asked, “So how did the school play tryouts go? Did you get a part?” Matt enthusiastically announced that he indeed did get a part in the play. “I play a man who’s been married for 50 years,” he said. “That’s great son,” the father replied. “Keep up the good work and before you know it, you’ll get a speaking part.”

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Annual Waiau Pa family fishing competition

What a day. This year the annual Waiau Pa family fishing competition

was held on the 21st of February. It was a day which started out with perfect weather conditions, the water on the Manukau harbour was calm as the boats started to line up at 5.15am. Hot sausages and coffee were available for those who had not yet had breakfast, and boats began to launch a little be fore 6am on an incoming tide. All boats got away without a

hitch as the competition got under way. As the day progressed the weather turned on the heat and in the early afternoon the wind picked up with some boats returning for the weigh in at around 1.00pm. Mobile coffee, ice cream and hot sausages and cold drinks were available as the crowds began to arrive for the prize giving. The weigh in closed off at 4pm and the prize giving began. There were some decent fish caught and some very happy prize winners, with complete Shimano rod and reels fishing packages being given to the winners of each prize category. Again this year the competition was split into an adult section and Junior 12 years of age and under section. Prize winners in the adult section were: Heaviest snapper, Nick Krilitich 3.380kg: 2nd heaviest snapper, James Temple 3.099kg. Heaviest kingfish, Glen Baker 9.635kg. Heaviest kahawai, Rebecca Willis 2.100kg. Heaviest trevally, Paul Bracewell 1.130kg. Heaviest gurnard, George Murphy, 1.025kg. Prize winners in the junior section were: Heaviest snapper, Stella Innes 2.055kg; 2nd heaviest snapper, Fraser Tilyard,1.180kg. Heaviest kahawai, Ronan Birch Robertson, 1.695kg. Heaviest gurnard, Elly Willie, .810kg. As the heaviest kingfish and trevally were not won in the junior section, they were drawn as spot prizes. All in all an excellent day, with a good num-

ber of competition entrants and a good crowd of people in at-

tendance for the prize giving. Everyone had a fun day which is what the competition is all about. We had fantastic support from our sponsors, many of whom are local businesses in the Clarks Beach/Waiau Pa and Pukekohe/Franklin area. Also the boat club committee members and volunteers did an awesome job to make the day a great success .

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Letters to editor Pattern of bloody mindedness

Dear Sir When you investigate the commercial fishery momentum pushed by John Keys double export policy, that MPI has been mandated to achieve by 2025 you start to see a pattern of bloody minded boardroom goals being set. These goals are single minded and only have the end game in sight. The issue is that along the way there is an expected and accepted number of casualities. To send Shane Jones up to the pacific with $300 million, to try and secure ownership of the pacific fishery, caused some big causalities. First, the people of NZ could have used that money for essential services, like health rather than a $350 million cut, school classrooms that have mould in them, Police cars, so when an officer in Auckland gets a call for an emergency and runs to the car park for a car there is one, at this stage there is no guarantee. Or the people in Christchurch, remember them, they had an earthquake five years back and still don’t have homes. The bloody minded immigration policy, casualities of this little gem are great. More pressure on essential services that have had budget cuts rather than increased budget to cope with extra demand. First home buyers, this policy is a total disaster, looking for a job is a lot harder now and the employers are now in a take it or leave it position when writing up employment contracts. I could go on and on but that is the pattern to watch out for and remember John Key will only attempt to celebrate the result in $ and cents rather than the cost of getting there. The point is that the kiwis are still up in the pacific trying to get ownership of the pacific fishery and are bloody minded about it. If they do succeed the primary casuality will be the Pacific Island people themselves and most likely in 10 years time, kiwi boats steaming off into the sunset with pockets full of money leaving the ocean void of fish. Only to return five years later and clean up again because ownership will give them the right to. However watch out for the good news story about how successful this endeavour has been for inattentive kiwi business and you can expect this to be celebrated in political figures of deficits and economic growth. This is a very good example that everytime you see in print a good news story from commercial fishery, look past the PR for the real cost. Rhys Smith Thames

Well done National – make the parks happen

Dear Sir With all the hoohaa recently over the proposed recreational fishing parks in the Marlborough Sounds and the Hauraki Gulf, many discussions have arisen in our Fishing Club about the lack of support and negative response by so-called recreational lobby group Legasea. Once an avid supporter I stopped my financial contribution when I found out that over the last couple of years they have achieved very little in their regular trips to Wellington to drink tea with the Minister and his cronies. Now I hear that they don’t want or support the proposed fishing parks! WTF – what’s happening here – have they gone bonkers? They don’t agree with compensation and a whole lot of other baloney! We want the parks – quite simple! I and many of my fishing mates who regularly fish the gulf want the parks! We don’t care how much compensation the commercial are paid. We want them gone plain and simple. There’s just a few of them, but no amount of money could match

getting rid of them, just to stop the carnage and destruction they do. My only complain is that the proposed boundary where the seine line is should be extended to the trawl line, to help preserve the snapper spawning area for future generations. Last Sunday we counted eight commercial fishing boats down around Kaiaua, five long liners and three gill netters, raping the lower gulf. This attitude of taking everything has to be stopped and stopped sooner rather than later. Clearly the government can see the damage they have done and keep doing. Well done National. So has Legasea abandoned the recreational fishers in its quest to work with the National Party or has the National Party treated them with the contempt they deserve? Gus Smith Hamilton

Dear Sir

CARP FARM EMOTION v science

Talking to many people about this carp farm idea the same message is coming through. The applicant, the scientists, the Minister of DoC are all looking at it from a science viewpoint. Now there are thousands of people against it, WHY? Well these people are against the idea from an emotional viewpoint and their anger and concern is greater than this carp farm proposal. Over the years, I like many others have sensed a shift in peoples thinking, a change and some of us thought it would take some incident to bring it all out. Maybe this is the incident? But what I believe the emotional side are saying is NO MORE!. And the target is introduced species. I think we are on the verge of a kind of revolution in Aotearoa/New Zealand where the people stand up and give the Government the message - NO MORE INTRODUCTIONS OR SHIFTING OF INTRODUCED SPECIES! I think the people of this country have reached a point where they feel that’s it, they have had enough of all the damage introduced species have done and they have had enough of paying taxes and rates to clean the mess up. In the meantime have a look at the photo of two young warriors who are part of the Te Awa o Waitahanui team. These two, Billie Wineera and Shontayne Wineera have spent goodness knows how many hours after school and during the holidays as volunteers dealing to introduced trees, vermin etc to look after the Waitahanui River and they have done a great job. So who wants to try and convince them another introduced species is a good idea? Didymo Dave Taupo

1080 is Ecosystem Lethal

Dear Sir, Why does DOC, Tb Free and Forest and Bird keep saying 1080 is okay? Forest and Bird say it’s like “salt and vinegar” chippies. Well why don’t Forest and Bird twerps munch on 1080 pellets in the movies then? No work is done before poison drops to see if there is a problem. Of course there isn’t a problem. It’s just DOC and TbFreeNZ want their salaries, snug offices to continue. But the reality is 1080 is a le-

thal ecosystem poison. The excuse for aerial drops was it’s necessary in rugged country is a lie.Tb Free blessed by DOC are doing it in easy country. Near Dunedin city, easy country and well tracked is having 1080 dropped. More lies follow. OSPRI (Tb Free) says most Tb infections come from possums. Lie! Primary Industries Minister Guy admitted in Parliament last year 9830 possums were autopsied. Not one had Tb. Possums raid nests. Lie! Possums are herbivores. Photos of possums in nests are staged. There are 70 million possums. Lie! There never were. Landcare scientist Graham Nugent told DOC that 70 million was greatly exaggerated - i.e. a lie. DOC ignored him. Look at road kills. Hardly a dead possum is seen. 1080 is water soluble. Could be. But hold on, DOC tell anglers not to eat trout where 1080 was dropped. That’s right and remember the fuss at Kaikoura a few years back when 1080 pellets were found near the town’s water supply? I also read scientists in Australia wanting to kill wild camels recommended putting 1080 in water troughs where camels drank. What is effect of 1080 on trout streams and invertebrates(nymphs)? No one knows. What is Fish and Game doing about it? Sorry, it’s asleep. 1080 manufacturers in USA say all poisoned carcasses should be buried. DOC and TbFree NZ ignore this. Dangerous! irresponsible! Does DOC and Forest and Bird know 1080 is a lethal insecticide? That was it’s first use. So it kills native bees, diminishes vital pollination, kills invertebrates worms, larvae (kiwi food), kills other insects (fantail, robin etc., food). It kills anything that feeds on a dying poisoned or dead bird (secondary poison). Falcons are wiped out. Keas too as shown at Okarito where 80% keas died. NZ uses over 90% world’s 1080. Why? Ecosystems function the same here as Japan, USA, Philippines and other countries where 1080 is banned or is highly restricted. DOC and TbFreeNZ say 1080 is well researched. Another lie. Two eminent scientists independently reviewed 1080 science. There is not one well designed controlled study. On top of that DOC chucked out science warning of 1080 ecosystem threats, the notable example being Mike Meads work in Taranaki. While dogs suffer agony, other animals - wild - don’t. Lie! Dogs are very vocal, deer, possums aren’t. 1080 is a slow poison. Takes days to kill. Brodifacoum is worse-over 20 days. Shame! 1080 is a “broad spectrum” poison. Kills insects, birds, animals. It kills the ecosystem. William Hobson Otago

How to lose an election

Dear Sir Nick Smith must really have rocks in his head to make such a bad political blunder when he announced he was looking at the option of smart phone monitoring of recreational fishers. He indicated that the concept had come from commercial fishing company Sanford. There is no way on this earth that the recreational fishers will accept a lesson on how to fish sustainability from a commercial company that played its share in the depletion of the fish stock in the first place. These big fishing company’s will always put pressure on government to catch more fish. IF they do monitor us we will lose. If we catch lots of fish they will say that is too much and put our limit down. If we catch a small amount because we may chose to catch and release or only catch what we want for tea, because we live at the beach, they will put our limit down, because they will say the stock is under fishied.

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Both options will indicate that more fish are available, for the commercial fishers who will be looking for a quota increase when the new PSH (Tiaki) net comes on line. The other point is that recreational fishers are just that, they work, pay taxes, vote on election day and when time permits go fishing on either the weekends or annual leave. As a general rule if it does not affect them , then they are not too worried about it. If you tell these fishers they will have to fill in forms and cross the T’s and dot the I’s just like they do at work, then that will affect them in a personal way. The lobby groups have been trying to find ways to wake up the recreational fishers who are to antipathetic but this will do it. This will turn the recreational lobby into a government changing force, the very thing any government has been trying to avoid. Nick Smith seems to have taken the heat off Nathan Guy from MPI but really people like Nick Smith, Volker Kuntzsch, Carl Carrington, Graham Sinclair, and Tim Pankhurst just need to really ‘shut the hell up’ with their garbage about a shared and sustainable fishery. It doesn’t wash when the commercial fishery have a drasticly bigger share. There is nothing you can say that we will believe is in the interests of sustainability or our fishery, there is simply to much greed involved with the people you represent. Give us the reserves as John Key promised, as a line across the top of the Gulf and the Sounds with no commercial interests inside that is not aquaculture. Rhys Smith Thames

It’s all about the fish!

Dear Sir One thing that really gets on my goat is the people who make the fishing all about themselves. I have one goal – and that is, enough fish for all the NZ people forever. This is simple and achievable. But not the way we are doing it at the moment. Some years ago I sat down and wrote a policy for the fish. That is a 20 year plan to have a large enough fish stock, both in size and tonnage till at lest 2050. This seems to be an agreed time, as within this time period many of the world fisheries will have collapsed, if they haven’t gone extinct. We as a planet have just got far to good at fishing, with technology on some boats now able to use forward reading sonar to literally chase down the fish and steer them into the nets. We also have the big super trawlers with 1500 tonne capacity or more. I had a video sent to me, of a British boat that had caught 534ton of mackeral in one net. Can we do anything about this internationally. No, not really we just have to face the fact that fish like Tuna will be gone by 2050 if not sooner. Add to that Toothfish, Maui Dolphin, and maybe things like Krill. That would create a chain reaction with things like Penguins, birds, whales, and many species of bait fish type small fish. IF the entire NZ territorial waters was net free we would have possibly the best and one of the last fisheries in the world, but instead we are developing new nets. Then for those new nets comes new export markets to celebrate. Let’s face it, at the current rate of immigration a population of 20,000,000 is ever more likely. That means instead of kiwis consuming 6% of what we catch commercially it will be more like 25%. Does the entire territorial waters need to be net free, maybe not but we could start with the first 12nm., without causing any major issues to commercial fishing practices as most of the species can be caught outside 12nm. We must exit all trawl type vessels outside the 12nm now if we are to have a future fishery at all. We must catch our local trade from inside the 12nm in smaller

30nm of coastline out to 12nm areas, so they can be properly managed especially if localized pressure causes a fish stock to drop. The commercial fishers who complain normally start with the word, I. I have always fished like this, I want my son to fish like this. I have a right to fish commercially, well guess what - its not about you. It’s all about the fish!

fishers needs to change. They still believe they have more right to the fish, because they fish for a living and not for recreation. We need to change the political attitude on election day and let the politicians know - that they have gone to far and the commercial fishing effort is impeding the recreational fisher and their families ability to catch fish for their table. Brian Jones There is a point that cannot be enfranchised enough, the wild Hamilton fishery has an finite point, it has an end. When it comes to the ‘Let them eat Cake’ wild fishery the commercial fishSir ers don’t harvest what they grow, It is bad enough that the Na- they simply pick up what is there. tional Minister for the Environ- Rhys Smith ment dismissed out of hand, calls Thames for public waterways to be safe for swimming, as ‘not realistic’. It gets worse when we hear that MPI’s PR BLUNDER the National Minister of Con- Dear Sir servation has no problem with Minister for Primary Industries breeding and transporting of one Nathan Guy released a very careof the worlds worst and most fully choreographed media stateinvasive pest fish (Asian Carp) ment, that on the face of it is fannext to our iconic Lake Taupo. tastic news for recreational fishers. We shudder to learn that the super- So lets take a closer look. phosphate we see being dropped First we have the NZ crest and from our skies or blown across the minister in big bold letour paddocks is making some ters that tell us this is official. parts of clean, green NZ unsuit- The headline in bold tells us able for food production due to that there will be 100% camhigh selenium levels, and that sele- era coverage in snapper 1 fleet. nium washing into our waterways That is basically a lie, becauses kidney disease in people. cause the next line tells you in Now we find that the National fact it is only the Trawl fleet. Minister of Agriculture has not When Mr Guy tells us that Snaponly presided over intensive ag- per 1 is valuable he must mean riculture turning our waterways its dollar or export value beinto toxic drains, but that inten- cause there is no mention of recsive dairy farming is producing reational or customary fishers. enough ‘gender-bending’ oestro- He then tells us that more than gens in our waterways to make 55 other vessels will be tracked. male fish change sex to females! So he does not know exactly how Is there any part of our aquatic en- many commercial fishing boats vironment that they haven’t man- there really are in Snapper one. aged to completely stuff-up yet? How many more than 55 boats, Ken Sims 10 or 100, that’s up to us to guess. Mr Guy wants us to have confidence Fisherman in his management, well he’s not off to a very good start in this statement. So What’s Changed? Then we find out that the new big The new PSH photos do not show brother camera watch is voluntary. the net attached to the new pvc cod That makes me laugh it is so ridicuend, why not? What are they hiding? lous, all the trawlers have to do is It leaves us to presume that the not participate when it suits them. wings to the net, are still of the catch That’s called editing, you know the it by the tonne era, and is diamond thing that Hollywood does when they 125mm net that closes up to the make a fictional movie believable. point where it catches everything. Then the new wonder net with a There is still 3 years to go on the PSH new name gets a mention. Tiaki trials, so that means for the rest of the net is only a trawl net that drags fishing fleet it is business as usual. the bottom with diamond mesh The fishery in the Hawkes Bay on each side that closes up just like and MBS collapsed as predict- all the other trawlers nets. The only ed by both commercial fish- difference is the cod end which ers and recreational fishers, but will bring up the fish alive. This net was disregarded by the MPI. will catch more fish in the inshore MPI still say they have the fishery for the asian sushimi market. best QMS in the world. IF that The launch last month saw the comwere the case there would not mercial fishing big wigs celebrate the have been any collapse at all. new wonder net with a slap up feed The commercial fishers still catch of, John Dory, King Fish, Snapper gurnard that would be illegal if all shallow water recreational fish. caught by recreational fishers. To sum up really what does this The redeemed value system media release mean for the recthat allows over-fishing by reational and customary fisher. huge amounts is unchanged. Nothing at all, this is just a bid for We know of a commercial fisher, who good PR from Nathan Guy trying to is well regarded as a good fisherman make up for his catastrophic blunby the receivers of his fish, because der when he put the recreational of the quality of his catch. What he day limit down in Snapper 1, in does is simply work at night so he can his effort to give his commercial high-grade out poor quality fish that fishing mates who financially supis not the correct size for the market. port the national party more fish. There is more distrust and straight Well here is something for the minout hatred of the commercial trawl, ister to put in his social licence pipe seine, scallop, long line fleet than and smoke. You blew it. You upset ever before, as the bulk harvest so many people that it will never method that has seen fish on the be socially exceptable for any trawl beaches, is no longer socially ac- type vessel of whatever new name ceptable by recreational fishers you call it to fish in the inshore area. who are now by majority, fishing Rhys Smith using more sustainable measures. Thames Using bigger hooks, wet cloth release, or catch and release, only to watch a promotional video of a com- New Tiaki PSH Net a mercial fisher having a sort of basket- Joke! ball juggling game, with no gloves Dear Sir or wet cloth, with a fish on deck. How can the fishing indusThat was so offensive, the fact that the try be promoting this new commercial fishing industry didn’t trawl net as a good initiative. pick that up means they just have Good grief, these people are really have no idea how to respect a no better than cave men. living creature, you intend to release. Bulk harvesting is not in anyway That’s because the commer- part of a sustainable fishing praccial fishers view all fish as tice. This new PSH net is still trawlproduct and nothing more. ing, it really doesn’t matter what That has not changed and you call it. Trawling is still trawling. never will, the bigger the boat The high end restaurants are now the more product is needed. looking for hand caught fish, hand The attitude of the commercial dived scallops and their diners now

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want to see it written on the menu. The day is approaching when a diner will want to see on an I-pad at his table his fish being caught, handled with white gloves, put in a box with an hour clock ticking, that include time to the plate. NOT, I put it in a tank with 5 tonne of other fish, stressing it out, or God forbid giving the poor thing a chemical sedative. OR I froze it, or it took me four days to steam in, so the fish is four days old when it reaches the shore. The best way to treat a caught snapper, is when it has been ikied and ice slurried straight away. Then 17/28 hours later depending on the size of the fish, it is still perfect in texture and taste for the high end $500, a sitting sushmi restaurants around the world. The diner normally gets 3/5 small slices with garnish as one serve, it is conceiveable for a commercial fisher to get $100/150 a fish that has been treated with this amount of respect. However, these idiots still have the fish in the hold, when it should be on a plate, not swimming around getting stressed to the max, having chemical sedatives applied just in order to get it closer to the market. Please don’t tell me you guys haven’t grown up yet and, are still having a childish pissing contest to show who can catch the most fish on the biggest boat. Those days are over, when you have finished spending 48 million and you still have a trawl method that is already on its way (out as far as being socially accepted) by kiwis or international diners, w hen the price of fish goes up to exorbitant prices that only the rich can afford because of world wide depletion, you guys will have already caught it by the tonne at a small price and we will have a depleted fish stock like everybody else. Rhys Smith Thames

Sharks threaten existence of Pacific people

Dear Sir It’s not what you may think, great white sharks have not suddenly decided they like warm tropical water. It is in fact much worse than that. The sharks I speak of are the big corporate fishing industry giants who are as we speak, using any method at their disposal, to secure ownership of these cash strapped pacific nations. Some of these nasty bullying tactics include the financial support of those MP’s in power to pressure government to sell ownership of the fishery to big business, nothing new there, as that’s what happened in NZ politics. We also heard that a large number of fishing vessels came in and caught the fish and simply did not pay, claiming hardship. Now if you are a small island nation this 2 or 3 million dollars maybe the difference between paying for your hospitals or police. This really is an old nasty trick. Simply you create a situation where the small nation needs financial rescue. Then the big corporate shark will be you rescuer and before you know it, you have lost ownership and control over your own fishing destiny. If a great white shark was in a surf life saving uniform and you were drowning would you call for help, your choice drown or be eaten. Let’s make something very clear, the fishery is the biggest financial asset of our Pacific Island neighbours. But, they do not have the capability or resources to catch their own fish. So the only thing to be really decided is who will catch there fish, how the fish will be caught, hopefully in a sustainable manner and how much they will be paid. What should not ever be anywhere near the negotiating table is ownership of the fishery. The system of catch up there at the moment is pay by the day.

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So these small nations should simply put out to tender or dutch auction, on the days they think the fishery can sustain. The winner would pay the money up front, as well as for the observers. No money, no fishing. No difference to the fishery auction rooms around the world, you bid, you pay, you pick up your fish. That way they could give their locals, that employ local fishermen, first crack at it, then tender or auction the rest on the open market and that should see a fair price for all. My fear is that it is already too late. My concern is that the people in the canoes and villages who make up the culture of Pacific Islands people which believes in communal ownership (The people of these nations) have been deliberately kept in the dark by their politicians, some who have may by now full pockets. Make no mistake if the the pacific nations transfer ownership to corporate fishers they will lose their traditional ownersip of the pelagic which will adversely impact on both their fish for their local people and their economy. Big corporate business is never about the people, only the money and when that money buys your government, then you lose your country as well. Rhys Smith, Thames

The Crusty Crab

This just in from two of our readers who have been watching with interest the developments of some new commercial fishing nets. This is their letter. Dear Sir, Me and my mate Jock were sitting in the pub talking about how all the flash fishing fellas have been talking up this new net. So we said why can’t we do that. So we looked up the fishery rules and could not see where we could

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dent happened, the bloody net broke and there was dead fish everywhere. So we got our landing net and got our 20 flounder each and fired up the ‘crusty crab’ as fast as we could and got out of there, not trawl our flounder drag net behind the Crusty Crab (our boat). Two days later we headed off to Thames with our boat in tow and the net. We had a cunning plan to use our outriggers as spreaders. Then we googled what to do next. So we laid the net in a line in about 3metres of water, then run a rope out each side about 220 metres in an arch. We did this to both sides of the net. Then we tied the ropes to the ends of the outriggers and we were set. I said to Jock “let her rip mate” and he did. Well the old ‘crusty crab’ did good for about 60 metres or so and then could pull no more. So we backed up on the ropes until we got to our net. We slowly started pulling in the net, we thought it was stuck fast. Then Jock yelled out “jumping jesus Mick we got the mother load”. In the net was heaps of fish of all kinds. All we wanted was a feed of flounder but we had sharks, rays, eels and heaps of small stuff that had not gone through our net because we towed it. That was not part of our cunning plan we had hatched in the pub days before. I said to Jock “good god mate, there’s a ton or two of fish here the ‘crusty crab’ will never do it, we will have to tow to the beach.” On the way to the beach, an acci-

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faster than a man that farted in a lift. Me and Jock went back to the pub on the way home. When the boy’s asked us how we got on, we just said “great, plenty of fish out there, we got 40 flounder” Ed: This story may or may not be true, we would not recommend such a barbaric method of fishing to any person, trying to imitate the commercial methods because the discard rates may also imitate commercial results.

No definitive cause established for eel deaths Scientific analysis of samples taken from dead eels found in a Tua Marina waterway has failed to pinpoint a cause of death. Council Compliance Manager Gina Ferguson says tests were conducted for 68 possible pesticide chemicals and only one was identified, at barely detectable levels. That chemical, Glyphosate, is a commonly used broad-spectrum herbicide. However the concentration of Glyphosate in the water samples was so low that it could not be declared the cause of the eel deaths, she said. Glyphosate was detected at a level between 0.053 and 0.084 g/m3 - a level that is not considered eco-toxic. “To put it in perspective, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines allows a maximum level of Glyphosate of 1.0 g/m3 , ”she said. (The NZ drinking water standard does not have a measure for Glyphosate.) None of the other 67 pesticide chemicals registered above detection limits. However the Council did not test for Cadmium, which is spread on with superphosphate and already

throughout NZ farms are showing dangerously high levels, which will kill animals and humans. The eel deaths were reported to Council on 10 February. Samples were taken and sent to the laboratory within 24 hours although Council’s Environmental Scientist noted at that time that the eels appeared to have been dead for a few days. “Although samples were taken within 24 hours of the incident being reported, it’s not clear how long the eels had been dead. Given that some time may have elapsed, the negative water sampling results may be due to a contaminant which had already been dispersed by the water flow,” said Gina Ferguson. Council’s Compliance team would be talking to the owners of all neighbouring properties to remind them of the regulatory requirements and the importance of closely adhering to best practice standards when dealing with agri-chemicals, she said. “It is vital that property owners keep accurate spray diaries and remember that any chemicals are disposed of safely.”

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Pacific Island Tuna fishery in jeopardy By Graham Carter

Are the people for Pacific Nations to our north, about to be exploited once again only this time, by economic colonialism? At this very moments, leaders of Pacific Nations as are gathered to consider options to replace the tuna accord, recently unilaterally abrogated by American interests. To our shame, New Zealand appear to playing a substantial role in pushing Pacific States to embrace the “Western Alliance” - at a time when our research tends to support rumor that commercial vultures gather to strip out property rights (similar to NZ ‘s ITQ) which will leave the Pacific States deprived of a community property right. The South Pacific tuna fishery is an important global food resource, and the economies of many of these Pacific Island countries rely heavily on the tuna industry. The Nauru Agreement concerning co-operation in the Management of Fisheries of Common Interest, or The Nauru Agreement is an Oceania sub regional agreement between the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. The eight signatories collectively control 25–30% of the world’s tuna supply and approximately 60% of the western and central Pacific tuna supply. Historically, the Nauru Agreement and other joint fishery management arrangements made by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (usu-

ally referred to as PNA) have been concerned mainly with the management of tuna purse-seine fishing in the tropical western Pacific. In October 2010, the eight member Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) extended their prohibition on tuna purse-seine fishing in approximately 4.5 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean high seas by purse-seine vessels licensed to fish in their combined Exclusive Economic Zones. The extension was unveiled at the 6th meeting of the Technical and Compliance Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). At the May 2012 meeting in Alotau, Papua New Guinea, the Fisheries Ministers also approved a PNA Office Business Plan, and welcomed Tokelau as a party to the Palau Arrangement Purse-Seine Vessel Days Management Scheme. In June 2015 the PNA Fisheries Ministers met in Palikir, Pohnpei, under the chairmanship of Elisala Pita of Tuvalu, which in 2015 has refused to sell fishing days to certain nations and fleets that have blocked Tuvaluan initiatives to develop and sustain their own fishery. Elisala Pita also said that Tuvalu was disappointed with the outcomes of recent meetings of the WCPFC as some fishing nations had tried to avoid their responsibilities and commitment to sustainable fishing. Because the PNA is a memberdriven institution, the PNA Chair plays a fundamental role, both as

will rub their hands together and say ‘that was great while it lasted’. Some Pacific Island senior ministers in positions to influence policy decisions have surrounded themselves spokesperson and as arbiter of South Pacific Island countries are with NZ Fisheries advisers and othconsensus within the group. Unlike at risk of being sold out by some of ers who are deeply entrenched some other regional organisations, their leaders who appear to have with the ITQ idea, that have their where Chairs are actively occu- ignored the strong Polynesian cul- own agendas. Are these emissaries pied only during annual governing ture of ‘communal ownership’ and working with American interests? council meetings, chairing the instead have embraced the West- Any contract regarding these pelagPNA requires a significant invest- ern Alliance ethos of ‘private prop- ic tuna must be done to ensure that ment of time throughout the year. erty rights’ which in turn will be the fishing companies employ a The catches taken by the fisheries sold to foreign nations who in turn sustainable fisheries policy without that are controlled by the stand- will own the pelagic tuna that once any private property component. ards, rules and decisions agreed belonged to the Pacific peoples. Previous work on identifying opporbetween the Parties to the Nauru The fact that most of these South tunities for Pacific Island countries to Agreement are worth several bil- Pacific countries are desperate for improve the economic returns from lion US dollars per annum, and financial assistance and rely solely their tuna resources has not includdecisions may need to be made at on revenue from tuna fishing by ed articulation of aspirations from any time to sustain these fisheries foreign fishers, to provide this as- Islanders themselves. However, as new challenges arise. The PNA sistance for their survival, strength- generating such an understanding Chair is selected by Parties annually. ens the claws of the vultures. is increasingly important as these The rest comes down to the costs These countries are over a barrel, countries assert their positions in of negotiations; with $50 mil- in that, in order for these privately regional fisheries policy making. lion in the kitty you can be sure owned companies to pay them the Recently all American interests unithat the NZ advisers will get a levies and dividends, they in them- laterally abrogated a 30 year treaty fair chunk of that, if successful. selves want a private property com- agreement to fish pelagic tuna The PNA eight include Microne- ponent (ITQ), introduced (referred in the Pacific Islands zone. Why? sia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, to in NZ legislation as ITQ or Indi- The dispute erupted at a meetNauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, vidual Transferable Quota), which ing several weeks ago when one Solomon Islands and Tuvalu, are means that these island countries fleet operator with ten vessels very anxious to get back their rights. will be totally reliant on these pri- said it could not pay for its alHaving the correct ‘governance’ vate companies to have unequivo- lotted days, citing diminished by these eight island countries cal access to the pelagic tuna financial returns because of fallis the key to improving the sus- fishery, if they want to get paid. ing tuna prices. Another decided tainability and profitability of This may sound nice and rosy but to leave the fishing business and the tuna industries in the region. what it actually means is that these not pay, while other individual ‘Governance’ without corruption Pacific Island nations will not ‘own’ owner claimed economic hardship. is paramount, and the process by their pelagic tuna fish, which are In response the Pacific Islands Fowhich the decisions regarding the worth millions of dollars to the pri- rum Fisheries Agency, a Solomon pelagic tuna fish are made and en- vate companies. They will get paid Islands based intergovernmental acted, by government officials must a pittance to allow these companies agency charged with adminisbe for the benefit of the island na- to catch the fish and believe me they tration of the treaty, told all US tions and not individual ministers. will. These companies will simply boats to get out of the water inHowever, we believe that these take all the fish and when it is done definitely. The agency refused to

I was having a drink with a few fishing friends the other night when the waitress screamed…….. “Anyone know CPR?” I said: “Hell, I know the whole alphabet.” Everyone laughed ……. well everyone except one ol guy.

issue 2016 licenses until all US operators paid the agreed to amount. So has the process of re-designing the tuna industry in the Pacific Islands, been hi-jacked? By what rights were the Americans able to abrogate an agreement with the Pacific People? In a rare example of political unity, Labour and National agreed to redesign NZ fishing rights and in 1986 the first chapter of substantial legislation was introduced in the form of what we now know as QMS. Some of the principal components of the QMS paradigm include: Evaluation of fish species and bio masses from which annual catch limits are imposed on commercial and recreational fishers. This policy was intended to and in fact has generate a sustainable fisheries biomass. The paradigm also included sale to ‘approved’ buyers by way of initial tender process a property right (ITQ) to own fish species. The first major tender was hoki in 1986. The then MAF (MPI) were bequeathed substantial powers to monitor and modify annual catch totals and also to penalize transgressor participants. Today NZ can demonstrate a unique outcome of wild fish stock growth within our 200 EEZ, however there is debate as to whether the QMS system will work with the pelagic fish as it hasn’t worked in NZ and is a total failure here, built to look good by the Fishing companies and the NZ MPI, who don’t want to lose face if the truth was revealed. To be continued next issue.

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Mark Clasper Auckland, took out the Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand 2016 lake National Champs recently.From left: John Bell 2nd , Mark Clasper 1st, Tim Anderson 3rd.

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Leaves are gradually turning yellow, morning and evening temperatures slowly cooling, exciting to think what the winter fishing months will bring. Easter saw some heavy pressure on the Tongariro , a really mixed bag of reports received over the weekend, some good, some bad, big fish in prime condition, small fish, no fish, alas that happens regardless of time of year. We had rain Wednesday and Thurs-

day putting much needed colour and water into the river, not a lot more water raising the level to around 28 cumecs briefly . We think as the colder weather approaches we will see some good fish coming through this winter, as the summer runs probably due to low water levels and heat did not really eventuate. Local Lakes have produced some good fish (Rotoaira, Otamanakau, Kuratau) this summer. Continuing with my waxing on about Czech nymphing, it really is another great option, our first lot of Hanak Rods proving popular, anglers very pleased with the performance of both Rods and Reels and taking advantage of the free Czech nymphing lesson offered with each Rod sold. In fact we of-

fer tuition with any Rod sold if required, Ladies if you would like to learn to fly fish we have an expert female instructor available at $160 for two hours tuition, which is generally enough time for someone to take in on any one day. Are your neoprene waders due for replacement $340, for an additional $50 we can have a pair of Magnum waders custom made for you in Green or Black neoprene, drop us an email info@creeltackle.com . Am sure everyone will be pleased to have read the news about the proposed Carp farm at Taupo, say no more? If anyone was interested we are selling on behalf two Hardy coarse fishing rods make us an offer around $250 these are 13 and 14 ft. I would like to reiterate prior to the winter season, for those who are not aware familiarise yourself with river etiquette, www.turangiflyfish.com

New Turangi Trout Fishing Guide camping, first aid courses, she has kayaked the Whanganui River, etc. She has even worked in Summer Camps in USA as a counsellor at various camps teaching canoeing skills, swimming and kayaking. In summary, Hannahs work experience is the ideal physical background for qualifying for the ultimate most sought after position as TRM’s Tourist Guide. TRM are delighted to announce she has passed (with distinction) all SWMBO’s knowledge tests for tourist activities categories. Hannah has also trained as a rescue swimmer for the Westpac helicopter, although we trust TRM’s new trout fishing ‘guide’ Hannah those skills will not be needed for guiding on the Tongariro River. Lowther, about fish one of the upper She is also a keen snow boarder Tongariro River Pools so will be available to accompany The Tongariro River Motels have and tutor ski bunnies next winter. taken on a new Trout Fishing Hannah will carry on the guiding Guide, Hannah Lowther, a genu- service to take anglers to the obine Kiwi who hails from Rag- vious Tongariro River and Lake O lan.. But how is she qualified to trout fishing. She will also guide guide from TRM, I hear you ask? TRM guests on the Tongariro CrossShe is just completing TRM’s in- ing, and other remote wilderness tensive training course with a trails such as Mt. Tihia, Waihaha, raft fishing trip on Lake O. and is Pillars of Hercules, etc. biking the now familiar with all our ‘secret’ Tongariro River Trail, raft fishSpot X pools on the Tongariro ing the upper Tongariro River, River. But first we need to elabo- and many other outdoor tourist rate on her background experi- activities operating out of TRM. ence to indicate the high stan- Tongariro River Motel (“TRM”) tardards that TRM inmates demand. gets anglers for the Tongariro River. Hannah is a 20 year old student Many are from overseas. Most are completing an outdoors activities accomplished anglers with a wide instructors course at OPC (Hill- range of fly fishing experience. ary Outdoor Pursuits Centre) So all they only need to know is covering many of the activities where to go on the Tongariro Rivthat are usual holiday fun at TRM. er, where the access points are to Her background experience in- the anglers trails. It may only take cludes surf lifesaving (volunteer and two hours. They usually do not graduating to paid guard) to train need a full on professional fishnew life guards at Raglan, beach ing guide for a full day and that is education instructor and teach- the market gap that TRM’s Haning canoe/kayak skills, outdoor nah (following Kiki’s example) fills.

She provides them with more of a delightful tour guide experience rather than a guide needed to decide between a weighted nymph or a dry & dropper rig, or a #14 or #16 Hare’s Ear. Her expertise is knowing locations of un-named pools on the river that others may not be aware of and guiding her clients onto a special spot “X”. The only constant on the Tongariro pools is ‘change’ and based on feedback from so many other fishos she keeps up with any seasonal changes and where the best results are coming from. In addition, despite her youth, Hannah is well qualified to guide them on tramps such as the Tongariro Crossing (NZ’s most popular walking track) and other remote walks, guide them on raft fishing trips on the upper Tongariro, biking the Tongariro River Trail and many other local tracks, plus offer some other niche adventure activities such as snow boarding from the summit of Ruapehu, rock climbing, canoeing the Wanganui, etc - activities and adventures not usually available from a motel base. Generally she just makes sure guests have a wonderful enjoyable safe adventure, making the most of the Tongariro National Park attractions, while staying at TRM. Kiki TRM’s previous guide returned to Sweden to finish her studies for her Environmental Engineering degree. So if you need a tour guide for anything and everything we do from our base camp at TRM then please book first. Hannah is only available on weekends. If you want to book a trip with Hannah call Ross and Pip Baker on 0800 1 TROUT or 07 386 8555 or email ross@tongarirorivermotel.co.nz

Troutfishing Lobby Backs River Protection Calls. A national trout fishing advocacy, the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers, has backed calls by the Tourism Industry, the Environmental Defence Society and Department of Conservation to safeguard public rivers. Just last week, the

government announced a further $1.6 million worth of funding for three irrigation schemes. The calls came from the Tourism Export Council that New Zealand’s tourism could be harmed by continuing and increasing exploitation of

rivers for irrigation while the conservation department has warned that government plans to alter the Resource Management Act will cut the public’s rights to object to water exploitation. Statutory organisations with responsibilities for freshwater management, such as Fish & Game NZ, would also be affected. Ken Sims of the Manawatu and spokesman for the Federation of Freshwater Anglers said the calls were very timely in the face of government continuing to dogmatically push for more large scale irrigation using taxpayer’s money, and to make it more difficult to oppose this exploitation. “Given the timing, it is difficult not to see this as a Government response to their plans for the Ruataniwha Dam being partially thwarted” he said. “It should not be forgotten that these rivers are public resources and not up for grabs by corporate dairying or other commercial interests. Statements by John Key and

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Nathan Guy today would indicate that both cannot yet see that rampant agricultural intensification is the problem, not the solution. Besides the current slump in dairy prices that looks set for some foreseeable time, makes for economic lunacy as well as environmental and ecological vandalism,” he said. He said government had long signalled its disregard for rivers and its obsession with exploitation when it proposed lowering river quality standards from fit for swimming to fit for boating and wading. ‘After all you could boat in a sewage pond and (in wad-

ers), wade in a cesspool,” he said. Ken Sims said government intentions were shortsighted monetary greed. “What legacy will be left for future generations?” He said he was deeply disappointed that legislation to lower water standards came from present or recent past government’s environment and conservation ministers thereby demeaning their portfolios. What ture

legacy will generations

fuhave?

Failed Taupo carp farmer full of excuses Public outcry over the proposed silver carp farm in Taupo almost overshadowed John Key’s ridiculous and botched flag referendum. Director of Golden Harvest Aquaculture Limited Richard Clarke said that he is disappointed about the project’s failure, and that his proposed carp farm won’t go ahead. He fully admits he had his “blinkers on” about the perceived risk of the fish in Lake Taupo. Golden Harvest Aquaculture’s

proposal to build a carp farm in the region failed after their leaseholder, Contact Energy, refused to give the project an extension after community concerns were raised. “It has been a disappointing end to what could have been an exciting project for all Taupo residents to enjoy and gain something from,” he said. He admits he didn’t see the public backlash coming and only wanted to help Taupo tourism,

but failed dismally in his consultation and bio-security process. He did not take into account the public’s love for Lake Taupo fishery and the economic benefits it bought to the region and tried to overshadow this with his badly researched project. So where was the minister Maggie Barry on this? Who will ever know? She has certainly kept a low profile when the public were requesting assistance from her.

Lake Arapuni Fishing Competition girls with 5 of the 6 prizes in the adult sectiongoing to female entrants. In total 94 entered the contest,32 were juniors.80 trout made it to the scales,the majority of fish were either fin clipped or tagged (these fish have been released into the lake)9 being wild fish bred in the lake. The average fish Jane Annan with her winning fish next to Magnus weight for the weekend was 1.528 kgs. Adlam representing Mighty River Power the major Results: Adults: sponsor for the contest. 1-Jane Annan Rainbow The 2016 Lake Arapuni contest hen finclip, 2.640 kg’ 2-Les Conhosted by the Te Awamutu Fish and nor Rainbow jack wild fish 2.280 Game Club proved to be one for the kg; 3-Mary Streeter Rainbow jack

finclip 2.035 kg; 4-Mary Streeter Rainbow jack wild fish 1.980 kg; 5-Tevita Fenoko Rainbow jack tagged fish 1.890 kg; 6-Holly Mateara Rainbow jack finclip 1.875 kg. Juniors: 1-Tyler Dellow Rainbow hen finclip 2.035 kg; 2-Cooper Andson Rainbow hen tagged fish 1.830 kg; 3-Ocean Cullen Rainbow hen finclip 1.710 kg; 4-Lexi Ford Rainbow jack tagged fish 1.630 kg 5-Emily Smart Rainbow jack finclip 1.625 kg; 6-Tyler Dellow Rainbow jack tagged fish 1.425 kg. Heaviest rudd: Leo Juby -405 kg. Heaviest bag of 5 rudd: Jacob Annan-.850 kg. Heaviest other fish: Kyle Holmes=.690 kg eel

Taupo Fishing Club competition Taupo Fishing Club competition The Annual Open Trout Tournament was a fantastic weekend for the Taupo Fishing Club and local anglers. This weekend always sees lots of families taking the opportunity to fish together, with lots of young anglers weighing in fish and winning prizes, ensuring the future of our sport is in good hands. The community spirit and involvement was great, the club would like to thank all the anglers who took part and our many fantastic sponsors who make the event possible. They are already planning for next year…!

The results of the recent Taupo Fishing Club competition are: Heaviest Brown Trout: 1 William Lawton 2.738; 2 Raff Potter 2.422; 3 Summer Lawton 2.398. Heaviest Rainbow Trout: 1 Phil Andrews 2.502; 2 Colin Porter 2.178; 3 Pat Swift 1.854. Best Condition Factor: 1 Allan J Taylor 61.46; 2 Sylvia Churchman 57.52; 3 Robert Corfe 54.68. Average Weight: Russel Dobbs 1.234; 1 Each side of Average: Mathew Pate 1.256; 1 Each side of Average: Arne Rodsjo 1.230.

Unlucky Trout: Chris Laken. Lucky Angler 1: Brian Webster. Lucky Angler 2: Doug Allan. Junior 1 - condition factor: 1 Hamish King 50.34; 2 Tyler Potter 46.25; 3 Isbella King 45.72. Junior 2 - condition factor: 1 Maio Te Kakau 52.54; 2 Mana Te Kakau 52.46; 3 Mathew Aviery 46.17. Junior Average: Rhianna Henley 1.084 Junior Unlucky Trout: Milla Hemopo. Junior Lucky Angler Draw: Paige Tipping. Grant Photographer Geoff Reynal.

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The Cabdriver and the Nun

A cabbie picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won’t stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies, “I have a question to ask you but I don’t want to offend you.” She answers, “My son, you cannot offend me. When you’re as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I’m sure that there’s nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive.” “Well, I’ve always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me.” She responds, “Well, lets see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic.” The cab driver is very excited and says, “Yes, I’m single and Catholic!” “OK” the nun says, “Pull into the next alley.” The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make anyone blush. When they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. “My dear child,” says the nun, “why are you crying?” “Forgive me but I’ve sinned. I lied and I must confess, I’m married and I’m not a catholic.” The nun says, “That’s OK My name is Gary and I’m going to a Halloween party.”

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The Tautuku Fishing Club Dunedin & Haast Inc – This year 1,649 Anglers from 473 Teams throughout NZ; fished the February 2016 Nationals. This years tournament is the second biggest to date. Tautuku Fishing Club gained the ‘Top Award’ – the Varta Cup (overall winner of the 55 NZ Sport Fishing Clubs). Top 12 were: 1. Tautuku Fishing Club Dunedin & Haast 2,526.33 pts; 2. Manukau Sport Fishing Club 2,008 pts; 3. Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club 1,930.34 pts; 4. Napier Fishing Club 1,851.46 pts; 5. Muriwai Sports Fishing Club 1,773.89 pts; 6. Tauranga Sport Fishing Club 1,652.70 pts; 7. New Plymouth S/fishing & U/ water Club 1,489.37 pts; 8. Coun-

ties Sports Fishing Club 1,435 pts; 9. Hokianga Big Game & Sport Fishing Club 1,417.50 pts; 10. Waihau Bay Sports Fishing Club 1,396.49 pts; 11. Whakatane Sportfishing Club 1,383.24 pts; 12. Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club 1,376.49 pts. Tautuku Fishing Club also won the Shark “Stuart Morrison” NZ Trophy; 2nd: Napier Fishing Club; 3rd: Whakatane Sportfishing Club; 4th: New Plymouth S/fishing & U/water Club. South Island Top Club Award: 1. Tautuku Fishing Club 1,466.16 pts; 2. Pegasus Bay Game Fishing 340.50 pts; 3. Southern Sport Fishing Club 253 pts; 4. Canterbury Sport Fishing Club 230 pts; 5. Ashley Sport Fishing Club 213.33 pts. Individual Awards, Shark Tag & Release:

1. Jack Todd – 47; 2. Ian Gunion – 39; 3. Houhora Bay Game & Fishing Club – 4. Shark - NZI Trophy: 1. Bonecrusher – 6,844 pts; 2. Maximus – 5,445 pts; 3. Napier Fishing Club – 1,383.33 pts. Champion Shark: 1. Napier Fishing Club 83 kg on 6 kg line; 2. Jack Todd 41.5 kg on 3 kg line; 3. David Knarston 62 kg on a 10 kg line. Kahawai Line Classes: Ethan Todd 2.485 kg on a 3 kg line. Shark Line Classes: 2nd: Michael Todd 97.6 kg on a 24 kg line; 1st: Barry Egerton 53.1 kg on a 15kg line. 1st: David Knarston 62 on a 10 kg line; 2nd: Ian Gunion 52.3 kg on a 10 kg line 1st: Jack Todd 41.5 kg on a 3 kg line. (also Junior Angler Prize).

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Early Bird Bait & Tackle Report light and do attract more species including Gurnard and Trevally. We have our fair share of work ups out here in the Firth and a lot of these are producing some huge Kahawai. If you can cast a spinner amongst the frenzy on light gear you will have the time of your life trying to get it in. We all know that the good snapper are down below sweeping up the bits dropped by the feeding top dwellers but you may be surprised that there are other bottom feeders down there who are not fussy as to what might float down to them. Parore, although not commonly taken as an eating fish are very nice to eat and there have been some of these taken just outside of the middle farms opposite Kereta. Early Bird Bait & Tackle Report I get asked everyday, what the fishing is like and where the best place to go is! Because of the hours I work I honestly don’t get out enough time to get out there myself and find out what is happening but I do rely on other people to tell me. This being so: I can tell you with hand on heart that the fishing is really good with plenty of double figure snapper getting caught and loads of Kingies. The fish bins are being filled with ease and most people are getting home early in time to cut the grass. Some very large snapper have been caught on the Mussel Farm over the last three weeks with the biggest reported to me being 11.5 kg. It doesn’t really matter what rig you use, they are all producing a lot of fish, but predominantly, the old fashioned ledger rig always works. Flasher rigs are also in the spot-

One report given to me of a John Dory 80cm long is proof that the Mussel farms are in a very healthy condition and hold a fantastic va-

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riety of fish. Moving away from the Mussel Farms is nearly always a hit and miss situation but at the moment if you anchor up and drop a berley down, you are guaranteed that the Kingies will turn up. Nigel Cross, who lives local proved this a few days ago when he hooked into a 13.92kg Kingy from his little Dinghy in only two metres of water near Tapu. (see photo). He also had numerous good size snapper in his fish bin so it turned out to be a really good morning’s fish. Fishing the coastline is getting more and more popular with locals and visitors alike. In general, anywhere north of Thames is popular with most of the rocky outcrops being taken up at weekends. Getting out there before high tide has paid off for two more of my customers with Bruce, eventually pulling in a 9.36kg Kingy caught on mullet and Tony (from Aussie) with a thoroughbred kingie caught on a red/white popper just north of Colville (see photos). These are not uncommon fish getting caught. Most of them get broken off in the snags so getting one actually in your net is more than gratifying. Stingrays are still hounding the shoreline so obviously the Orca’s that where here a few weeks ago where not so hungry. Stingrays; if you want to target them will take any bait you put down but you will need some reasonably heavy gear. They will normally sit on the bottom after being hooked but ‘twanging’ the line can make them move, giving you a better chance to get them in. Just beware of the barb on the tail, as we have all heard about injuries caused by these so don’t join the ever growing injury list. On a change of subject, I have nearly been in business two years as of May. The people I have met and the knowledge gained from the locals has put me in stead for another great year. As with every town there are characters that stand out from others and believe me I have a few of them visit me on a weekly basis. I would like to thank them for keeping me sane (to a point) and for helping me drink my beer and rum. With winter again on the doorstep, the fishing will get better and the visitors fewer. Get yourselves out there, take the kids and make the best of it. You don’t have to travel far to get a good feed so berley up, bait up and reel-em-in. Good luck everyone and tight lines.

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are completely dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up. They are throughly examined and cleaned, worn or damaged parts are replaced and the motor reassembled using new consumables. The motor is then rigorously tested and diagnosed to manufacturers specifications. Repainted and striped as applicable. Perhaps your gearbox just needs a service or refurbish, Auckland Outboard Services can accommodate both as part of your motor overhaul or standalone service, ask for a quote or call and discuss your needs in motor gearbox performance details, i.e. short shaft, long shank or ultra long shaft or prop pitch and style. So, whatever your needs are, be sure to give them a call or contact them for a quote or a specific motor query on 09 3091159 or 021 1567645 for all your marine needs.

FOR SALE - 2011 Morgan 600HT, with a 2004 130hp Yamaha run for 425hours. 09 3091159

Specializing in Outboard Spares Kiwi Outboard Spares Specialize in outboard engine spares and reconditioned motors. They carry and supply a complete range of new and used outboard parts, of all makes and models, yamaha, mercury, mariner, johnson, evinrude, chrysler, suzuki, honda, force, and omc. They buy and sell second hand boats, outboards and also do recreational boat repairs. Based in two locations in East and South Auckland, they distribute to all areas of New Zealand. They are a specialist outboard wrecking and spare parts business with outboard parts new and used, gearboxes, cdi units, pistons, propellers, stainless steel propellers, stator piston rings, trigger gaskets, pullstarts, pull start electric starter motors, power trim triggers, gaskets, trim and tilts, power trim, tiller arms, complete outboard motors, coil packs, switchboxes, con rods, rods, control boxes, binnicles, dual binnacle steering kits, steering arms, hydraulic steering, service, parts, ecu,

efi, ficht, etec, hpdi, emm, air flow fuel meter, control cables, heads, powerheads, mid section props, thrust washers, cowlings, hood covers, wiring looms, harness’, ignition parts, crankshafts, points, leads, spark plugs, from 1970’s to new. In many instances if they don’t have the parts in stock they can source them for you, with free delivery on any purchase over $100. Kiwi Outboard Spares specialize in Outboard Motor Wrecking or Outboard parts recycling. Why buy costly new parts? when they can supply you with a used part as an alternative. Whatever your used outboard part or secondhand outboard part requirements Kiwi Outboard Spares carry the best range of pre-loved or used Outboard Motor Parts for most outboards. Richard started in the Marine Industry in 1999, branching into outboard motor wrecking for spare parts, rebuilt and used outboard motors. As the company grew so did Kiwi Outboard Spares well-de-

DIDYMO DAVE REPORT BIOSECURITY INCURSIONS In last month’s column I discussed

the affect of poaching on local business, which is basically nothing versus the huge cost of biosecurity problems to our national economy. I suggested that we should be spending much more time discussing biosecurity rather than poaching and said I would give you some examples of biosecurity breaches. Let’s look at 3 close encounters first: 1. In late 2013 a Biosecurity officer at Port Chalmers in Dunedin discovered a dead snake believed to be a non venomous carpet python in a container from Brisbane. 2. Also in 2013, four men appeared in court for attempting to smuggle 6 black rock scorpions into New Zealand through Christchurch airport. Biosecurity officers did a fantastic job getting them and all 6 scorpions were destroyed. Then a Vietnamese air passenger was intercepted at Auckland International Airport when an alert cusfoms officer noticed he had a very wet trouser leg. When asked

to show the contents of his pockets he took out 2 plastic bags containing water and 7 live tropical fish. Watching a few programmes of Border Security and you will pretty quickly grasp the huge job Biosecurity Officers have in stopping this sort of stupidity. Then there is the “Do you have any food?” question they ask and the passenger states “no” then the Customs Officer opens up the suitcase and hello hello, what do we find, meat, chicken, fruit and all sorts of products. Now I can understand a mistake of having a sandwhich or an apple in your bag. But I cannot understand why, when someone has something hidden in their undies or socks, that is forbidden in New Zealand, that we simply don’t send the buggars home! Here’s another couple of incursions from overseas: 1. The Queensland fruit fly was discovered in Auckland and MPI went in and eradicated it. The total cost of that exercise, paid for by MPI = paid for by the tax payer ran into the millions of $$. 2. A load of seed for fodder beet, a crop grown on farms for animal feed was brought into New Zealand in the last 6 months. Farmers prepared

served reputation for reliability and quality, as well as marine engine accessories, parts wrecking and services for all your marine needs. The diversity of Kiwi Outboard Spares enables a wide range of choice of spare parts, whatever your outboard needs are they have the capabilities and knowledge in offering the best advice. There used parts include secondhand Propellers, Used and reconditioned Powerheads, Crankshafts, Cylinder Heads. Secondhand or used Power Trim and Tilts, Fully inspected used and reconditioned Gear cases, Gearboxes, Rebuilt Drive shafts and Propeller Shafts, New after market, non-genuine, rebuilt or tested Switch Boxes, CDI, Power packs, Pulse packs, Amplifiers, Stators, Trigger units, Sensors, Charge coils and Electronics. Call us on 021 2652084 now, as wrecking stocks are consistently changing and therefore it is necessary to call for availability of your requirements.

the ground, planted their crops and up came the fodder beet plus an invasive plant called Velvet Leaf. Currently there are three identified crops in the North Island and over 50 in the South Island. MPI are again and rightly so leading the fight and there are currently over 100 people working on that problem. Add to that the expense incurred in getting the red eared slider whatever turtles out of Lake Taupo and the time and $$ being spent to establish the true picture around the catfish find in Lake Rotoiti and all up, it’s one very expensive bill for the New Zealand taxpayer. But here’s another problem. When the ship Rena crashed into the reef in the Bay of Plenty and the oil spill needed to be contained, DoC staff from all over the place were seconded to help which meant they weren’t doing the job they were employed to do. Same with the 100+ staff working on the Velvet leaf, MPI have taken staff off other work to help, which is the right thing to do, but means those staff are not doing the individual jobs right now. So the next time you think DoC should research this or that, MPI should be doing this and that have a think about what Biosecurity prevention and incursions are costing and ask yourself this question: AM I DOING WHAT I CAN TO HELP?

End of Season Sale Okuma Cortez 5

Penn Fathom 25 Level Wind Reel

was $199

was $349.90

now $149

now $199.90 Penn Torque Jig Rod

CD Rods Titan 24 kg Rod

Accurate GT Mutant Reel

Okuma Nano Matrix Soft bait Rod was $199

only $779

now $139

Cressi Gorilla Dive Bag

was $399.90

was $399

was $139.90

Cressi Borg Dive Knife was $74.90 now

now $299

now $199

now $99

$52.90

Factory second K2 Chilly bins

Cressi Dive Sox only

(Limited stocks available)

20 litre

30 Litre (Grey or White)

$119.90

$39.90

50 litre (Grey only)

$139.90

Saturday 7 May 2016 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Coromandel Town The programme includes:

at the Coromandel Area School Field

· oyster shucking · food demonstrations . celebrity Chef : Derek the Chef · live local bands · fish filleting demonstration

· mussel shucking · live local bands · Cook off: between local chefs . food stalls · local cafes & restaurants showcasing our seafood

This is a family friendly event, rain or shine.

Coromandel Town Information Centre, 07-866-8598 - e-mail: coroinfo@xtra.co.nz