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Dolphin Results a complete sham

By Graham Carter

Now I’ve heard it all.This is just another lot of “Science” Spin from Planet MPI. Nathan Guy and Maggie Barrie have saved Maui dolphins! Give us a break. Their PR machine has been flat out publishing this rubbish in an aborted attempt to portray themselves as ‘dolphin protectors’.

One good indication that this is Pure 100% Spin is how and when it got released. On the first day of the International Whaling Commission meeting, where NZ will get yet another bollocking about ignoring the IWC recommendations to fully protected Maui dolphins. The only scientific information released so far is a 2 page summary, with the full report to be released next month. A nice safe option if you don’t want anybody to be able to check the difference between the science and the Spin!

The same thing happened with the results of the MPI Hector’s dolphin survey. Nick Smith released the population estimate when the survey results were still being peer reviewed by overseas scientists.

Following Nick Smith shouting

down the phone at MPI staff demanding the population estimate before the peer reviews were in. As usual, it’s 99% Politics, 1% Science!

If you were completely ignorant about fisheries management you might just be taken in by this PR nonsense. But some of us have been around the block a couple of times and have been paying attention to what is actually going on.

It is certainly not time for celebration because there MIGHT be 8 more Maui dolphins than 5 years ago. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that this would be presented as a victory, considering some of the other ridiculous spin we have recently been fed about fish stocks ... Fill in your favourite Spin gone mad stories …

Of course there are politicians who care about the environment. But the current government are useless at actually doing anything about the environmental damage caused by their decisions, instead putting all its efforts into pretending there is no problem.

To say that the Maui dolphin num-

bers are encouraging is like celebrating when your child is in intensive care after a car accident, in an induced coma and running a high fever. The fact that the child is still alive is certainly encouraging, but don’t you think you would wait with the celebration until your child is no longer hooked up to machines and is able to leave intensive care to go to a normal hospital ward? Or preferably walk again?

These dolphins have been hammered by fishing nets for forty years.

There are less than a hundred of them and they are on the brink of extinction! Meanwhile the government is fiddling with the numbers, cranking up the numbers of live dolphins and hiding the true number of dolphins killed in fishing gear.

Glenn Simmonds found that NZ only reports about half of its fish catches to the FAO. Liz Slooten found out that NZ only reports about 5% of its dolphin catches to the IWC. Once upon a time there were more than 2000 Maui dolphins. Those were the days! When Wellington

Harbour was still full of right whales.

When you could still catch a groper off the rocks. When you could still roll up your trousers, wade into a

Critically endangered dolphin plus six – really!

A new estimate of Māui dolphin numbers is encouraging for the future of the species, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry say.

The preliminary results of a comprehensive scientific survey carried out over the last two summers has estimated the population of the critically endangered dolphin at approximately 63 adults, with 95% confidence there are between 57 and 75.

This represents an increase from a 2010-11 survey which esti-

mated the number of adults at 55, with 95% confidence there were between 48 and 69.

“These results are encouraging but there is no dispute the Māui population remains at a very low level and the Government remains committed to ensuring their long-term survival,” Ms Barry says.

What a load of bollocks! This is com-

them to recover back to 100 individuals. I have spent the 30+ years of my scientific career studying the impact of fishing on these dolphins and am likely to be in my eighties by the time they claw their way back to just Endangered – if they make it.

To achieve this, the Ministry for Primary Industries needs to do what it takes to properly protect fish stocks and other marine life. They need to start reporting the true number of marine mammal deaths in fishing gear, rather than reporting only the number of “observed” dolphin deaths from the very small number of observed boats. Frankly, it would take less effort to find real solutions than to pretend the problem doesn’t exist.

ately choose not to use them.

The supposed estimate is so inaccurate and with the margin for error the survey could easily be the other way which would mean there are actually less dolphin.

We were going to publish the complete PR dribble from MPI but it’s so laughable and complete garbage we decided not to waste valuable space.

Get ready for summer Fishing

By Professor Liz Slooten

Maui dolphins recover. That’s why the International Whaling Commission, IUCN and other international experts have repeatedly urged NZ to do this.

What would actually be encouraging?

Recovery to 100 Maui dolphins would get them out of Critically Endangered and into the Endangered category. More than 500 Maui dolphins would get them across the line from Endangered to Vulnerable. Now that would be encouraging! This will take time, and much, MUCH better protection measures.

If we want Maui dolphins to have any kind of future at all, we need to fully protect them right now. These dolphins have been decimated, literally, to less than 10% of their original population size in just 40 years!

It is likely to take 25 years or so for

plete and utter manipulation of the facts. The MPI have done absolutely nothing to stop the industry from continuing to decimate the dolphin while commercial fishers have vowed to kill every last one so they can get back their restricted areas.

Guy and Barry must be held personally accountable if the dolphins are found to be in decline as they have the powers to stop any further deaths but deliber-

Check out your Tackle box!

Latest Maui dolphin count encouraging?

It’s hard to know whether to laugh or cry about the supposedly “encouraging” results of the recent Maui dolphin population survey.

In reality, the results are inconclusive.

The confidence intervals (margins of error) around the population estimates overlap almost completely. We simply don’t know if the population is increasing, decreasing or stable. The margin of error around the difference between the population estimates includes both population increase and population decline. We could in fact have lost, rather than gained 8 Maui dolphins since 2011. There is certainly no evidence that the current protection measures are working.

We do know that switching from gillnets and trawling to selective, sustainable fishing methods would help

rock pool and grab a crayfish for member some of those things. It is dinner. New Zealand must truly incredible that such damage could have been a paradise in those days! occur within one human lifetime.

There are still people alive who re-

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View the newspaper online at www.fishingoutdoors.org – and advertise online with us Fishing and Outdoors PO Box 10580, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3240 Ph 07 8551833 Editor Graham Carter mail@fishingoutdoors.co.nz 021 02600437

UFO ROCKET TWO-IN-ONE gravel for insulation, the unit heats up 12 litres of water at the same time as cooking, making it very efficient on timber or fuel.

They have played with this project on and off for a few years now and have cracked it, sterilising and heating water while cooking.

The UFO Rocket two in one has been designed as a cooker that can boil water for safe drinking concurrently when using it as a cooker, utilizing various fuel resources such as wood, charcoal, coconut shells, corn cobs in small quantities.

It has the capability to boil 12 litres of water whilst having a pan or pot on top of the unit to cook in.

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.

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The rocket stove has been around for hundreds of years. There are many versions of rocket stove around the world, some of them are good and some of them are very poor. The background behind the UFO Rocket is how to make it more efficient than what’s already up there, and they have done it.

Instead of heating up sand and

The UFO ROCKET TWO-IN-ONE is a light, portable unit. When boating, if you choose to go ashore, you can collect driftwood as a fuel source, then cook up your catch of the day, and then have hot water available for a cuppa or the dishes.

Ideal in disaster relief The ideal camping tool 50% reduction in fuel consumption

But UFO rocket two in one great for outdoors camping and survival use boils water and cooks food at the same time Boil 12 litres of water and cook food at the same time.

The unit comes with the windshield, brass tap for taking off water.

It’s really great for camping, as you can use any combustible material as a heat source.

With its ability to create clean drinking water while cooking, the UFO Rocket is attracting a lot of attention from health and relief organisations throughout the world.

Wayne Dil was brought up with an engineering background. His father was the local handyman on Waiheke Island. He made everything from barbecues, Hangi cooks, fixed up all the local trucks and diggers, you name and he’d done it. Wayne calls his Dad his superhero. ‘He made me go karts and showed me everything I know today.”

About 15 years ago, when Wayne first visited Vanuatu, he saw and used his first rocket cooker, which amazed him. The local people

made there’s from very little materials. For many years, he have played around with different ideas on how to make the ultimate rocket cooker.

Everybody else made rocket cookers that you could cook on but nobody had made one that could boil water and cook food at the same time. Many people have showed him over the years their version of a rocket cooker. They either use concrete or gravel or sand in their unit.

Wayne decided ‘Why waste the energy?’, and made a water jacket that utilises the energy from the fire to boil the water that could be used for a number of things such as drinking, doing the dishes, or sterilising. He also added a carry handle to make it convenient to move to different locations, and by not having concrete, it made it easy to move in a hurry, such as in a natural disaster. He also made it from 100% stainless steel for longevity, and stainless steel is a very hygienic way to boil water, giving off no toxins when being heated.

His goal is to see these being used globally, from disaster situations to recreation. It is great for conservation also, using about 70% less energy than an open fire, which is great for the environment.

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The Hawkes Bay Snapper - Part One

By Stephen Waerea

The writer Amateur Fisherman

I promised to try and write an article about trout fishing this month but the thing is I don’t target trout as much as the fish in the ocean, so it happens I don’t have any photo’s to go with said trout article.

I’ve been playing around with film lately and plan on getting you guy’s n girl’s some action from the wild trout fishery we have here in the Bay, which I’ll put up on my Facebook page.

Its peaceful listening to the wildlife amongst the tree’s and the trickling sound of water rolling over the weed covered rocks, the smell and

First fishing competition for my better half.

warmth of the camp fire in the evening.

There’s nothing like watching the sun set by the river enjoying a few cold one’s with friends and family, a different type of peacefulness compared to the pirating ways of the ocean so I have decided to write about snapper this month.

“I know, I know” another bloody snapper article but I am yet to write about these beast’s we encounter in the bay. Napier beaches were productive once not I have mentioned this species so much today. in earlier publications but have not got to the guts of this majestic fish. stood. Do they circle round in the In the Hawkes Bay we have a very warm currents out there then head different snapper fishery compared back to Gisborne to the North to the majority of the north. They or do they head further South? (the snaps) do not stay in the bay It is anybody’s guess; they through winter in these parts they should be tagging these snapexit to the north round Te Mahia Pen- per when they move south. insula and move to the south round It would be very revealing to find Cape Kidnappers heading south. out where these particular fish The fish that moved to the south last season seem to stay on the foul longer than previous year’s. Now I ain’t a scientist but I’m guessing that maybe it’s because the water stayed warmer than previous season’s.

Is this the effects of climate change - who knows – there is not much science on this water surrounding the inshore fishery in what was once a world class fishery.

These fish that move to the south where they 2003 Local legend amongst mortals, Kane go from there is another Wrigglesworth always helpful with information, find mystery to be underhim at Crafty’s Rods & Guns.

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are heading to and coming from?

The more we get to know, the more we understand what is exactly happening in the fishery and the better chance we have at preserving such a beautiful majestic fish in this part of the coast.

It takes an awful lot of energy, funds and time to figure out the snapper down here, it takes a hearty veteran and well-seasoned fisherman to produce the goods.

If you are a surfcaster in these parts you are going to be fighting a constant uphill battle of zero results on the snapper front but all is not lost you will eventually if you’re lucky, land yourself an early spring horse size snapper of epic proportions that all snapper fisherman dream of.

But spring is here and no-one is gloating about beach landing horse snaps as of yet.

Today a couple local boats have started landing the odd biggie, so how are we supposed to catch a snapper off the beach for the average fisherman trying his or her luck to get a feed of snapper?

Sorry to say but for one month of the year the average fisherman can secure a feed of snapper from the beaches of Napier. Yep I said

it one month is all we get as a surfcaster to land this kaimoana in the bay.

There are always Kahawai at the river mouths all year round, gurnard were once a common catch from the beaches in this part of the world but today we’re talking snapper baby!!!.

Honestly I’ve never really targeted big Traveling North proves more productive shallow water fishing snaps when out colwhen winter comes. lecting kaimoana.

I’m always hopeful as they after more. The boat brigade does well all are a seasonal fish, once plenti- with gurnard still if you’re good ful everywhere amongst other’s and know what you’re doing. in these pirated waters of the east Some years ago when we were coast, but I’ve caught a few though. younger, we were coming back from So when is this month of snap- the river mouth on the eastern side per supremacy we encoun- of Clive on my mates four wheeler, ter in this depleted fishery when we stumbled across a dude we have in the Hawkes Bay. with a rod and a few snapper on the This makes me a little uneasy putting beach, he had 3 or 4 from memory. it out there as I may add about now it We didn’t bother to hang round is always good fishing in the diverse that evening but we were back the and vast fishery we have surround- next evening and caught snapper, ing the oldest city in New Zealand. our first legal size snap’s in numbers.

You could catch gurnard off the beach all year round but not any-

COROMANDEL FISH AND DIVE REPORT That was the last long weekend before Christmas, divers do yourselves a favour and check your gear who wants to arrive in Coromandel Town at Christmas to find their bottles are out of date and need servicing before they can be filled, also a good time to go over all your dive gear and make sure it is all in working order.

Scallops are there, not quite in the same place as last year, try slightly deeper water, in pretty good condition and very tasty.

The fishing has been a bit tricky but more to do with the weather rather than the lack of fish. If you haven’t already tried slow jigs or lures give it a go they are great fun and there is no need for bait, a plus for any of you in a camper van or tenting this summer.

The fishing has been pretty good off the Happy Jacks under the birds, nice big Kahawai on light gear what a good fight, the pink and orange Kabura's working well.

If you can’t get your jig through the Kahawai wait until they have moved on and then drop down for some snapper fishing. If in doubt how to fish with these come on in and talk to Des he is more than happy to offer advice now that he has tried them. It is a fun way to fish.

Looking forward to a nice long summer of fun, fishing and diving.

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Marine Environment Report welcomed Environment Minister Nick Smith has welcomed a report released on the challenges facing our marine environment, jointly published by the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand.

The first ever report on New Zealand’s marine environment, ‘Our marine environment 2016’, reveals how ineffective and bias the MPI and DoC is towards our environment and how much it’s suffering.

While it doesn’t specifically mention their combined incompetence directly, it points out the severe lack of data, which the Ministries utilize to promote their agendas, when in fact their pointless PR campaigning highlights the need for a cleanout.

There biased PR machine states New Zealanders feel a strong connection to our marine environment, and this report clearly demonstrates the need to understand and carefully manage our oceans.

Smith says ‘we are committed to addressing these challenges. New Zealand has long led the world in protection of the marine environment. We were the first country to ever implement a marine reserve policy, and we must continue advocating on the international stage for marine stewardship and integrated marine management.’ This statement clearly shows how far they are from the truth as yet they choose to ignore the IWC report.

‘We must better understand the state of our oceans to properly manage them. Reports such as this are helping us build a better picture of the challenges we face, although we know there is still more work to be done.” Smith adds.

This is utter bollocks. Again Smith is faced with a report that is telling him that commercial fishers are having a huge negative impact, how can he possibly pretend that this is new information?

When the last dolphin report was released about the dolphins he declared that the fishermen were the salt of the earth.

The report warns of the impact of overfishing fishing, the critical status of native seabirds and the damage from ocean acidification, which the ministries highlight are acceptable.

John Key like most inept politicians shows no consideration for the marine environment and simply views it as a piggy bank and commodity rather than what it is.

How would they know because this is not the first report, which makes a mockery of the MPI’s science and guesstimates and highlights the levels of cover-ups.

The report says there is limited data on the degradation of coastal marine habitats from human activities, and the impact of commercial and recreational fishing.

Nearly half the world’s whale, dolphin, and porpoise species are found around New Zealand’s waters, and about one-quarter of the world’s seabird species breed here, yet the country has the highest number of endemic seabird species in the world, - meanwhile most are threatened with extinction, while the ministries collude with commercial fishing interests to support John Keys ‘double export’ policy.

The most glaring finding is how little is known about the impacts of human pressures on coastal and marine environments and the need for future reporting on the widespread implications for species, ecosystems, and the overall conservation status of many seabirds is worsening.

Monitoring and research is an expensive item for our government, and it would take years to improve knowledge gaps, and our marine fauna is of international significance and importance.

New Zealanders’ have an intense

relationship with our marine environment which includes visiting our beaches, recreational fishing, the harvesting of shellfish and general marine related recreational activities, which are diminished when the environment is degraded.

It is unlikely that the MPI and DoC will take the report seriously as they have treated the IWC reports on sea mammals with complete disregard as they continue to allow commercial fish dumping and trawler damage to our ecosystem to continue unabated.

If the required changes are not implemented, the implications are likely effect generations of kiwis into the foreseeable future.

Smith and Guy are pretending to wait for the new Reserves Act but they already have the authority to extend the current reserves.

This is just delaying tactics so it becomes someone else’s problem.

The time has come to ban all commercial fishing for export from our inshore fishery before it’s too late.

This damning report pays lip service to the impact that commercial fishing has on our marine environment. The Government statistician Liz Macpherson must be commended for affirming that “we did not have sufficient data.

In particular, we were not able to draw firm conclusions about the full ecological impacts of commercial, recreational, and customary fishing on coastal and open ocean ecosystems.” Now that it’s been once again confirmed that much is the data is rubbish, the all-important question is, what will our monitoring agencies plan to do about it.

Clearly self-reporting has failed.

Unsurprisingly it confirmed what a sorry state the data is in.

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MPA’s are bad for the environment Barack Obama recently spoke at the Our Ocean, One Future conference in Washington, and asked: ‘Who wants to save the oceans?’

The short answer: everyone, especially politicians.

Right now, world leaders seem to want to see who can declare the biggest marine protected areas, or MPAs, in their territory. MPAs are kinds of national parks for sea life that extends from ocean surface to ocean floor.

Commercial fishing and other undersea ventures are banned in them.

The USA announced one in the western Pacific Ocean that is 50 per cent bigger than Texas, and another, more modest one off the coast of New England.

Britain announced a MPA around St. Helena Island in the south Pacific, half the size of the Lone Star State.

The MPA movement has become a religion with accepted articles of faith that more and bigger are better. This current obsession is bad for the oceans, bad for the global environment, and bad for people, says Ray Hilborn.

Ray Hilborn is a Professor of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. He leads several research projects on the status of global fish stocks and coordinates

the RAM Legacy Stock Assessment Database, the largest repository of data on the abundance of fish stocks.

Large MPAs are bad for people because reducing ocean fish production by itself will mean less high quality, nutritious food available for the poorest people in the world and less employment for fishing-dependent communities.

Political leaders argue they are protecting the oceans with MPAs, but mostly they aren’t.

The major threats to ocean health and biodiversity, include global warming, ocean acidification, oil spills, floating masses of plastics, pollutant run-off from land, overfishing and illegal fishing – none of which are addressed in this conservation measure.

Ocean preserve advocates emphasize that about one-third of global fish stocks are overfished, and use that as a reason for ever-larger MPA designations. But there is also no evidence that MPAs actually increase the abundance of fish outside of the reserves, one of the chief motives proponents invoke to push for them.

MPA advocates like to use the analogy of a fish bank, and it works up to a point. Certainly, fishery abundance rises inside well-managed areas that

are closed to commercial fishing.

But without other measures to address fishing effort, the same commercial boats that used to ply the newly protected waters can simply move across the boundary, increasing fishing pressure outside the MPA, although at increased cost. And fish don’t recognize MPA boundaries. They move beyond them.

In truth, some MPAs can provide biodiversity benefits and increases in fish harvests in places that lack more comprehensive fisheries management.

Unfortunately those are the same places where MPAs are also often difficult or impossible to enforce, due to the cost of surveillance and of any legal efforts to bring offenders to justice.

The MPA advocacy movement needs to embrace the reality that closing ever-larger areas of the ocean to fishing, when it happens, should be guided by clearly stated objectives, independent scientific evaluation of alternatives, and public consultation on the impacts on people.

MPAs should be established where the problems are, not where it is politically expedient. A race to see who has the biggest or the most is running in the wrong direction.

Quota Management System a thriving demon The entertaining television series Cray Fishers has highlighted the mass cash crop that the southern rock lobster fishery offers .

It has also demonstrated just how unsuccessful the Quota Management System has been in rebuilding and conserving stocks. Under the guise of good management forced closures and quota cuts have allowed the fishery to rebuild.

Few kiwi wage earners can afford crayfish sold for $120 a kilo, it’s just simply unaffordable. We are expected to pay export prices or miss out.

A recent Listener magazine editorial set new lows for breathless, ignorant crayfishers in an accurate attack on the seafood industry that highlighted the greed.

The thrust of the Listener was that the claim our QMS is a world leader “has now been exposed as a colossal piece of hollow PR puffery” is so accurate it under exaggerates the issues.

The spurious reasoning was the furore over discarding from several inshore vessels revealed in the Heron report proved the QMS was a crock.

The southern rock lobster fishery,

designated the CRA8 quota management area, takes in Fiordland and is a prime example of highly effective self-management forced on itself through overfishing.

New Zealand has seen two cray booms characterized by dramatic overfishing of virgin stocks followed by stock collapse, the first was in Fiordland in the 1950’s, the second in the Chathams in the 1960’s, both based on exporting frozen tails to the US. Catches in the Fiordland fishery peaked in excess of 3500 tonnes in 1956.

Rock lobster entered the QMS in

Visit us on www.facebook/Fishingandoutdoorsnewspaper 1990 when there were as many as 180 vessels in the southern fishery.

The CRA8 Management Committee was formed in 1996 on the back of continuing concerns about overfishing.

It oversaw the development of a management strategy that was accepted by the Minister at the time.

The implementation of this decision rule resulted in cuts in quota from 888 tonnes in 1998 down to 567 tonnes in 2001. These cuts were required through the greed of the crayfishers and constant overfishing.

These decisions that saw the number of vessels drop to around 67 and a number of lifelong fishermen forced out of the industry as a result of the greed and overfishing.

The effect on the fishery was dramatic, not only arresting the

decline but turning it around.

This led to the first of a number of increases in the Total Allowable Commercial Catch in 2004 and the fishery has rebuilt to the extent the current CRA8 quota is a conservative 962 tonnes, one third of the national production.

While the TACC is almost double that of 2001, the number of vessels is similar.

Today, 97 percent of lobsters from CRA8 are exported live, with China by far the biggest market.

Many of these are served in Asian restaurants to be eaten alive ‘ikuzukuri’ style, a practice forbidden in Commonwealth countries due to its cruelty to animals.

Rock lobster has grown to a $300 million export industry, by far one of our most exploited species.

This confirms that the QMS is a

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Are you one of the local few that can afford to pay this price?

broken beast, and clearly demonstrates that it should be scrapped.

Shaping a career by building boats When the opportunity arose for high school student Thomas Dixon to do a boatbuilding apprenticeship at Sea Craft Ltd he couldn’t wait to jump on board.

The 17-year-old from Michael Park School in Auckland spends two days a week learning the art of boat building at the Sea Craft factory in Ellerslie, where Haines Hunter boats are manufactured.

Thomas, who suffers from ADHD, has trouble focusing at school but says the apprenticeship is helping him to stay on task while also getting a foothold in the booming local boat building business.

“I was looking to get into a trade, and wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I’m loving boat building and the practical skills I’m learning each day,” he says.

Not only does Thomas learn the practicalities of boatbuilding, he also has to complete Unit Standards as part of his apprenticeship training.

The apprenticeship is through the “School to Work” scheme which is a Tertiary Education Commis-

sion (TEC) funded programme that works with trade organisations and schools to help create career pathways for year 12 and 13 students.

The scheme is supported by New Zealand Marine, which works with companies such as Seacraft Ltd, to allow students to experience the marine industry while still earning credits towards completion of NCEA qualifications.

Thomas says while the school system places a huge emphasis on academic achievement and going to university, apprenticeships are a great alternative for students like himself who learn better on the job.

“Coming into this apprenticeship I had little, or no building skills, but after only four weeks on the job I’ve already learnt enough to be able to take on more responsibilities.

“It’s cool to learn from these guys who were apprentices themselves and are still at the same company doing what they love 20 years later,” says Thomas.

Director of Haines Hunter, Lionel Sands, says Sea Craft Ltd has a long history with apprentice-

ship training going back to 1946.

“Apprentices help to support product growth and workloads, and it’s a great way to retain and attract talented staff.

“What we endeavour to achieve at Haines Hunter is a culture of hard work, pride in workmanship and a wide range of skills,” says Sands.

To gain a New Zealand Certificate in boatbuilding, an apprentice must complete 10,000 hours on the job.

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Letters to editor Camera Monitoring disgusting

Dear Sir A commercial fishing company should not be responsible for monitoring the commercial fishing industry as with the Trident camera surveillance system, Trident Systems which is a subsidiary of a Sanford and Moana NZ, as once again the Ministry is passing the buck.

The Government should be monitoring fishing vessels, not outsourcing the job to the industry.

This is a Ministry in crisis.

The MPI aren’t able to prosecute commercial fishing interests for serious breaches of the Fisheries Act because they are in bed with them, and because the fishing companies are likely to stop the huge donations given to the major political parties.

And ouch that would hurt them.

The MPI can’t even perform its core functions and is instead relying on the industry it’s meant to be monitoring.

This is corruption!

B. Smith Auckland

Do the right thing

Dear Sir Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems a simple fix really.

A resource should only be available for export if there is an excess of that resource.

If the recreational fishery stocks are not sufficiently meeting the demand of the people, then there is less available resource for commercial operations to export.

The resource is primarily for kiwi consumption so why is this even an argument?

Is money really the reason why we are being punished by corporate and political mismanagement of the resource?

Why is it on the recreational fishermen to take less fish to support the corporate greed machine?

Enough is enough Nathan Guy! Three years ago you told us that the snapper fishery could sustain an increase of 500 tonnes to the total quota amount and reduced recreational catch to 7 and increased catch size, but you were wrong.

Why?

FB Question

I see a lot of people commenting about how fishing has changed over the last hundred years and I have this question. How many more recreational fishers are there now compared to then and how much more accessible is a good boat with sounder chart plotter etc?

I would guess hundreds of new boats are sold in NZ every week for recreational fishing (they must be getting sold or there wouldn’t be manufacturers and boat sale yards? What effect would all these Because Nathan, your priori- people have on fishing in NZ? ties are in the wrong place mate.

Heaven forbid you do something Dear Sir so outrageous as to take back A lot of people are waffling about our resources from the commer- the rec catch and how no-one cial sector and have to fight the knows what it is in terms of tonnage. corporate big wigs and their mil- But to what end? No one actulions for the people, your people. ally knows what the commerImmediate action needs to be cial take is either because the taken Mr Ministry officer guy and only records are supplied by when you find your balls mate, the fishing industry themselves.

I’ll stand beside you and fight! There is no reliable research beIf you are not willing to do so, and cause it is assumed all commercial just know that you don’t have the fishermen are honest and report mana to get this done, then do accurate statistics, a matter for the decent thing and step aside. which has now been shown by a If not and you continue to take care myriad of reports to be incorrect. of the corporate greed machine, MPI does NOT undertake large could you at least have the decency waterbased surveys of fish stocks now to right an apology letter to my as they can’t afford it do given future generations complete with their 20 million dollar budget a photo showcasing that winning barely covers running the fishery. smile so they can be sure of that You are also incorrect to state that Guy that chose money over them! no measures of recreational take are Disappointed is an understate- taken. They are, the Ministry does ment mate, but, I’m a fisher- some aerial boat surveys and has also man. An optimist. I believe been known to do phone surveys in you will do the right thing! conjunction with NIWA I believe.

James Falepau The point they seem to fail to understand is that it is the view of Paraparaumu many New Zealanders that the fishery belongs to NZ’s first and commercial interests second and that there is an imbalance where the reverse has occurred.

This is a democratic decision, and I don’t see why as recreational fishers we should have to prove anything.

They’re our fish and we the people decide how they are allocated. If you don’t like democracy go and live in China, where more than half our fish go. Alternately start your own group, Save The Poor Hard Done By Commercial Fishermen. See how many join! I’m sure someone else cares.

Rex Manley ED:

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The Hauraki Gulf: Largest and most concentrated amount of recreational fishers. Least, amount commercial pressure with large areas trawler free. Snapper stock 26% of original biomass and growing.

BOP: Far smaller recreational population.

Trawlers allowed in behind the breakers any time of year. Biomass 6%.

You do the maths...

Fish and Game Dysfunctional!!

Dear Sir Former NZ Fish and Game Council delegate Dave Witherow in your last issue will have touched a raw move in his criticism of Fish and Game.

I have at times been extremely disappointed in Fish and Game’s performance over various issues.

One major concern for me was when Fish and Game agreed to the privatization of the public fishing and shooting estate and sport, namely by way of pheasant preserves.

Now pheasant preserves charge big bucks ($1000 plus often) to shoot pheasant. But Section 23 specifically forbids the sale of shooting rights. So don’t pheasant preserves sell the “right to hunt and kill game” on their land? I raised the matter with the Minister of Conservation and in letters to magazines.

Publicly Fish and Game NZ and its director Bryce Johnson argued there was nothing wrong with pheasant preserves.

I argued there was. Section

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23’s words were crystal clear.

You don’t sell shooting rights.

Obviously a legal opinion was needed. Yet at a Fish and Game NZ council meeting a motion to get a legal ruling was voted out 7-6. Why? You work it out.

Fish and Game NZ appear to have taken little or no strong action as an advocate. Yes ‘dirty dairying’, but it’s focused on just dairying - no mention of other stream degradation like clear felling forestry or towns putting sewage into trout rivers. Fish and Game NZ employs 2.5 full time communications staff but FGNZ’s and often regional communication is mostly abysmal.

I have increasingly questioned the efficiency of Fish and Game NZ. I’m not alone. Three different audits (Hay Group, Grant Thorton, Institute of Directors) have pointed to problems even using the word “dysfunction”.

There have been bungles. The red dot licence sales was a disaster reputedly costing the licence holder - you and me - $500,000. Fish and Game NZ injudiciously sought a judicial review on high country pastoral leases which back fired and cost licence holders at least $200,000 and probably nearer $300,000 while also badly damaging relationship with high country farmers. The felt sole ban was a debacle. The lead shot ban has duck shooters fuming.

Dave Witherow’s comments should have every licence holder demanding answers.

I have always supported Acclimatization Societies and latterly Fish and Game Councils and been a councillor off and on in different regions for probably over 25 years.

But performances too often haven’t measured up. One of the problems has been weak national delegates.

That system hasn’t worked. That’s why a forthright individual like Dave Witherow ended up frustrated. One “reform” to implement would be regionally electing national delegates directly from licence holder ranks

instead of having to run a sycophantic gauntlet to be elected national delegate by the regional council.

Fish and Game has achieved some good things such as Water Conservation Orders on prized rivers.

So there are a few pluses as well as minuses.

But the negatives seem to heavily outweigh the positives.

I don’t want to see DoC running out fishing and hunting. I want to see a fully functional - not dysfunctional - Fish and Game management administration.

Tony Orman Marlborough

Health of our waterways

Dear Sir All paid council staff, including the CEO’s should have 3 year contracts.

That way new councils and their newly elected council serving staff start on a level playing field!!

A front on approach to all the Regional Councils over the freshwater issues, including 1080, Cadmium, Mercury and zinc might flush some cockroaches out?

A front on approach to all the Regional Councillors over the freshwater issues might flush some cockroaches out?

With regional councils, it is the perennial problem of naive councilors believing they can change the world, and then the CEO telling them at their first briefing the legislative limits of their actions and their need to rely on him.

Bruce Smith Auckland

MPI? Incompetent!

Compliments on your front page story titled “MPI-Complete Scumbags” last issue.

What jumped out at me was the in-

ability/refusal/gutlessness of MPI to prosecute those commercial fishers who were observed by camera and observers to be blatantly breaking rules.

That hit me fair between the eyes because here in Marlborough there has been all manner of strong arm policing by MPI at recreational fishers.

In one case thrown out of court by the judge, a fisherman allegedly had blue cod, which was not whole or gutted on the Marlborough Sounds.

The regulations forbid anyone having filleted blue cod on the Marlborough Sounds because fisheries officers are unable to tell from the fillets whether the fish was of a legal size.

So just one fish. Recreational. MPI go to court in a heavy handed way.

Another chap I know got pinged for having a cod 2 mm under the legal limit of the stupid slot rule, two hours after capture. The Marlborough Recreational Fishers Assn., did a test which showed cod shrink 3-5 cms after capture depending on time.

Commercial, dump hundreds and thousands of fish - MPI turn a blind eye.

In other cases MPI compliance have used the police launch “Lady Elizabeth” and policemen to harass recreational fishers. In one case reportedly first hand, MPI officers boarded a boat and tossed their weight around, one officer using language that was fit only for a male only rugby club bar room. To the credit of another MPI officer present apparently she was advised to “tone it down.”

The discrimination by MPI at the recreational public still goes on.

Commercial can set net for moki and butterfish all year. Recreational have a four month season.

Why? To protect dolphins they say.

But here’s the salt in the wound.

There has never been a dolphin recorded caught in a recreational set net around Marlborough’s east coast. Besides recreational set nets have to be under 60 metres. Commercial can set nets 500 metres and more, long. Customary have no rules - that is another silly story too.

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The recent study that showed recreational fishing is worth $1.7 billion to the economy (commercial worth $1.4 billion) should be a big wakeup call to MPI and Minister Nathan Guy to get priorities right, first by prosecuting these blatant breaches by commercial and stop nit-picking and harassing the taxpaying recreational public.

Or is the minister and his minister scared of the big bullies in the corporate fishing companies?

Donald McGrath Marlborough

Real scumbags

Dear Sir Well done with your front page article on MP “scumbags”.

They “the commercial fishing industry” have stuffed the fishing for the public who just want to catch a feed of fish.

They have over-fished species. Total mismanagement. Look at Hawkes Bay now. Our inshore fisheries are as barren as the Sahara desert.

Recreational fishers struggle to catch a feed. I have lived and fished in Hawkes Bay for over 54 years and have witnessed the exploitation and the sheer deterioration of not only our sea fisheries but also our much valued trout fisheries.

MPI and commercial fleets have ransacked our inshore fisheries. It is disgraceful. Good on you “Fishing and Outdoors” for exposing it.

Minister of Fisheries/Primary Industries are lame, brainless ducks except for Phil Heatley and MPI jacked up his removal because he understood fisheries being a recreational fisherman himself.

When will MPI boffins and Ministers like Carter and now Guy understand they are in the public’s payroll?

Stop looking after their corporate cronies. Their duty is to the public and the fishery. If it’s not too late.

Norrie Day. Wairoa

Seriously Flawed Science

Dear Sir My wife and I are NZ citizens living partly in NZ and Honolulu.

We both have degrees and university credits in science. We disagree strongly with your massive new 1080 escalation in NZ, and consider it a serious threat not only to the natural environment, but also to human health, where it may already have had an impact.

We have thoroughly read and reread the PCE report and all the so called peer reviewed studies that you use to now support this 1080 agenda, and from a scientific standpoint found every single study to be seriously flawed science, inconclusive, lacking in both scope and sufficient data to come to any concrete conclusions that would legally justify the now huge threat to NZ. I suggest you read Dr Jo Pollard’s latest paper, which firmly condemns 1080 use in NZ, as does so many other past studies by reputable NZ Ph.D.s, and foreign scientists.

I sent you a second email with an article by Tony Orman which sheds great light on the long history and corrupt politics of the 1080 industry.

We do not understand why our clean, green country would engage in this mass extermination, that clearly will never succeed, and that is already causing a slow, steady decline in overall environmental health in NZ, and has done since it started 63 years ago .

It has never worked, and never will, and all the most respected ecologists we know around the world agree, and all say the same thing, controlled biodiversity is the only safe, clean solution to the NZ pest problem, using new high tech methods other than poisons, and especially not 1080, one of the most dangerous poisons on earth and wisely banned in every country.

NZ already has an increased lev-

el of male sterility, heart problems and many other human health conditions symptomatic of low dose 1080 poisoning.

Aerial drops spray trails of 1080 dust, considered 100 times more dangerous than handled 1080, getting easily into human mucous areas close to the brain, heart and lungs. There are reports recently of people being sickened by falling 1080 dust, and reports of suspicious deaths.

I read your studies on the risks of 1080 in streams and lakes, and found them to be very much flawed science, hastily done, inconclusive, without any study at all done on human health and 1080 ever done in NZ, even after 63 years of use!

Many of us against 1080 have had very long looks at the science, and have all come to the same conclusion, that the 1080 industry is not fueled by justifiable science , but rather by the mega millions that have blinded the industry to no longer consider all the proof against 1080.

I personally have seen lies, disinformation, harassment , and cover ups by many in the 1080 industry. Most people in my area no longer trust a single word that comes out of any DoC mouth.

The anti-1080 movement is growing extremely fast now. It won’t be long now that it will be impossible to hide the facts, and mainstream media will escalate the opposition to the next level.

Since you are considered the architect of this misguided venture, it might be prudent to reconsider 1080!

All the best, Louie DeNolfo

Ed: Letter to Jan Wright, the orchestrator of the Predator Free Campaign in conjunction with Maggie Barry who both should be prosecuted when their failed plan comes to fruition.

We keep hearing that only 1% of NZ is being “treated” with 1080 poison.

That 1% of NZ that is being covered with 1080 actually makes

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up 10% of conservation land.

The DoC estate is 8.6 million hectares in total. 820,000 hectares is being poisoned which is just under 10% of conservation land, public land at that. Just pointing that out as I keep seeing people saying only 1% of NZ is being poisoned but to me it’s more important to use figures that relate to justifying its use.

8.6 million hectares is the total area that Doc are trying to eradicate pests from NOT 100% of our nation so it’s not right to use the 1% of our country statement. DoC should be saying 10% of public land is being poisoned.

Telling ‘fibs’ seems to be a DoC specialty. The general public has lost complete confidence in this failing department.

There are few people in the world that can match their skills at stretching the truth. Years ago DoC said there were 70 million possums in NZ. They used that figure for many years even after they realized that is was a complete exaggeration but they had used the dumb media to indoctrinate the public with that figure and use it to justify 1080. The more likely figure was 30 million at the time many years ago. So when you see any figures from DOC grab your calculator. If they say 250 kea were killed by 1080 multiply the figure by 233%. If they say there are 1500 kea in a national park divide by 233% and you know that there are only 644 left. It’s not that their maths are bad it’s just they are liars protecting a corrupt industry dumping toxins. They won’t divulge what’s in their bank account but the figures are high. You can’t spend over a $100 million a year and not have a HUGE SMILE on your face.

commercial sector needs to change from sustainability to growth.

Discussion within the commercial sector if they give a damn at all should be growth of the resource not sustainability.

If the commercial sector wants the best for our resource their research and development funds would be better spent on ways in which to grow the resource, not creating vessels to hide their bycatch from the public eye.

Banning commercial fishing from our inshore is our way of contribut-

ing to the growth of our resource.

By not allowing our inshore fishery resource to be used for economic gain, not only, in my opinion, will we rebuild our resource, but ensure its growth for our growing population and future inhabitants of our country.

Every single thing we do no matter how big or small is going to make this happen.

Ban commercial inshore fishing.

James Falepau Paraparaumu

Maritime VHF channel changes take place

Radio technicians have been working at sites for the Maritime VHF channel changes The scenery is spectacular but getting to transmitters sites in New Zealand can be a challenge for radio technicians working on the Maritime VHF change over.

Warren Masters Operations Manager for Broadcast Services Ltd, part of The Broadtech Group, says most of the transmitters are on remote and elevated sites so a lot of planning has gone into co-ordinating the switch over.

“To get to most sites requires a 4 wheel drive, and a small number can only be accessed by helicopter or boat. Over the past year technicians have been visiting locaIn my view sustainability is not the fo- tions across the country to access cus in which funds should be invest- what’s needed for the transition. ed into. The focus and mindset in the “In mountainous terrain like Mt

Sustainability

Clerke in Southwest Fiordland, native keas will take a keen interest in the helicopters and try to chew the rubber caps on the rotors. Replacing a rotor rubber cap is very expensive so the pilot has to spend most of the day chasing keas off the helicopter till the technicians have finished the job.

“You can’t just hit a switch and make it all happen at once. We’ve staggered work across 70 different sites to ensure that there is enough time to make the changes. You also have to take into account the weather before doing anything. Rain, wind and cloud are major barriers to accessing many of the transmitters.”

Warren Masters says everyone involved from the landowners to the local technicians have gone the extra mile to get the right information and help the project take place.

The Maritime VHF channel changes were necessary to make way for international ship tracking and data services and ensure that New Zealand’s maritime radio services are compatible with the rest of the world.

For more information go to retune.co.nz

MARITIME VHF CHANNELS CHANGE FROM 1 OCTOBER 2016 For more information go to retune.co.nz

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What’s happening: • CHANNEL 16 – the existing distress channel will not be changing in any area.

• You will not need to purchase a new VHF maritime radio.

• To access your local repeater or listen to the weather forecast you may need to switch to a new channel.

10

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At Last! A Political Party That’ll Tackle Population

by Tony Orman

at over 9 million. Sea fishing would suffer the same increased pressure. Trout rivers, particularly back country rivers, are already bursting at the seams with guides and clients and Kiwi fly fishermen wanting the wilderness fishing experience.

Back to NZ First who largely related their concern to immigration and I don’t disagree.

“In the past year under National the population grew I was absolutely at its fastest rate since the early chuffed the other day. 1960s, up 2.1 percent or 97,000.

The press release I received “Statistics NZ also project that if said “New Zealand First is call- there was no immigration, the ing on the government to put population would peak at 5.3 miltogether a population policy.” lion around 2050 and then slowly “This country needs to target a decline. The government’s virtual rate of population growth, to meet open door policies cannot meet our needs but not cause growth New Zealand’s short or long term pains,” it said. “As Statistics NZ said population needs. The recent antoday the population will likely hit nouncement on immigration 5 million around 2020 but could amounts to fiddling while the popreach this milestone sooner.” ulation steam-roller thunders on.’

NZ First based their concerns Then NZ First added “It is high time around “pressure on housing, hos- that a comprehensive population pitals, education and social wel- policy, of which immigration polfare”. Fair enough. You can say the icy forms a part, was established.” same thing about roads. Imagine But New Zealand still has no popuour highways if we had 8 million lation policy. Government pursues or 10 million people. Ask Auckland growth with a maniacal passion or Wellington commuters crawl- and no control. “Maximum growth ing at less than walking pace to - more people” is the mantra. Seriwork, if they had double the num- ous regional imbalances exist, most ber of cars how they would feel. graphically illustrated by Auckland But let’s look at our own world of busting at the seams, demanding catching a trout, a snapper or two or more taxpayers’ money for roadstalking a deer. I know North Island ing and motorways, upgrading of hunters who won’t enter the bush in sewers and stormwaters etc., and the ’roar’ because there’s too many sprawling outwards over fertile soils. hunters. That’s with the current 4.7 Immigration proceeds apace swellmillion people. Imagine the number ing numbers and diluting and of hunters with 6 million or double eroding the Kiwi culture evolved

from two ethnic groups and developing a bi-cultural society.

All that’s needed to address the spiraling crisis is political will and political guts. Amazingly the Green Party who you might expect to champion addressing the population bomb have been quiet. Only NZ First has drawn attention to immigration and have now related it to a lack of a population policy.

Google “population clock”. I did on Thursday 20 October at midday. The population was 4.724 million. New Zealand’s population is estimated to increase by one person every 5.5 minutes with • one birth every 9 minutes • one death every 15 minutes • a net migration gain of one person every 6.5 minutes In April, Statistic New Zealand announced immigration figures were at a record high. New Zealand had a net gain of 56,000 migrants in the year to March, 75 percent up on the previous 12 months.

It said “It’s expected annual net migration will surpass 60,000 by the end of the year if nothing is changed.” Sixty thousand equates to the population of Nelson or more than Rotorua’s every 12 months.

Auckland alone gets net 34,000 coming into the bursting conurbation.

But the sharp reality is more people and more consumers equal more resource demand, force more costly infrastructure demand and make more emissions.

The planet cannot tolerate infinite growth. It’s already at a crisis.

And in the hills there will be many more hunters, on the rivers more and more trout anglers and more and more and more recreational saltwater anglers.

MPI extremely reluctant to deliver more fish dumping reports Further reports on ‘fish dumping’ after the Operation Achilles, Overdue and Hippocamp were revealed on mainstream media are likely to be outdone with the Operations Trios and Truck believed to reveal even more worst case scenarios regarding widespread dumping of our fish stocks by the commercial fishing sector.

Official information requests to the MPI in September have basically been ignored as they wriggle and squirm at continued revelations of corruption and collusion with Fishing Companies.

The exercise would take any office assistant about five minutes behind a photocopier as that is all they have to do to scan them and send

them out, but hold on we are not sure anyone in the MPI has the appropriate qualifications to even do that, given that it is a very simple task, so they are either being deliberately evasive or this is another attempt to delay what is likely to be extremely embarrassing for them.

Waikato supports drive on lifejackets Waikato Regional Council is lending its support to a new national push to ensure people comply with lifejacket regulations while out on the water.

Maritime NZ has announced the new “no excuses” drive today as part of Safer Boating Week. It said fines of up to $300 could be imposed for breaches of regulations, with the size of the maximum fine varying between regions involved.

Waikato has for some years had a “no excuses” policy under which people failing to carry the required number of lifejackets on vessels out on the water are fined up to $200.

“We’ll be carrying on with this approach as part of our support for Maritime NZ’s national initiative involving seven other councils,” said

maritime services team leader Richard Barnett.

“The council’s boats will also be assisting Maritime NZ officers to do educational and enforcement work as part of this initiative.”

Mr Barnett explained that under Waikato’s rules people on boats out on the water must each have a lifejacket and actually wear Richard out on the water. them at all times if the boat is six metres and under in length or come home safe to their famion all vessels at times of height- lies at the end of their journeys.” ened risk, such as crossing a bar.

“These rules are designed to save lives. We want all boaties to

MPI - Multiple failures at all levels

In the history of governments in New Zealand it is unlikely that any government department has been run so incompetently as the Fisheries Management of the MPI. A groundswell of recreational fishMore and more anglers in ers is beginning to grow because the future, unless NZ come of the arrogance of the MPI, comto grips with the problem mercial fishing companies and commercial fishing industry, who are working with government to the push monitoring of recreational catch and fishing licences, as more and more kiwis are beLOOKING FOR A coming aware and upset at the decimation of our inshore fishery.

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and increased size has further incensed fishers as they are mostly struggling to get keepable fish.

The government is not interested in taking any action in spite of much lobbying by recreational fishing groups, they have consulted and that’s all that is required.

The denials keep coming, something has to be done, and something needs to happen to stop the rape, carnage and continued damage to the inshore fishery.

The continued rhetoric from the Seafood Industry which has yet to acknowledge the levels of corruption and collusion in the industry is alarming.

We have current and former com-

mercial fishers acknowledging the accuracy of our stories yet the Ministry and industry refuse to acknowledge the levels of deliberate pillage.

With the increased action by unhappy recreational fishers it seems rather strange that fishing retailers and businesses remain silent, along with advocacy group Legasea who seem reluctant to speak up on the continued dumping and discard of fish caught in our inshore fishery.

With the new ‘muncher’ or offal discharge system being installed on the new commissioned trawlers it appears that the commercial fishing industry has found a way to dump unwanted fish.

I called an old school friend and asked what was he doing as we hadn’t caught up in a while.

He replied that he is working on “Aqua-thermal treatment of ceramics, aluminium and steel under a constrained environment”.

I was impressed......

On further enquiring I learn’t that he was washing dishes with hot water ....... under his wife’s supervision.

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The Future of NZ Commercial Fishermen Looking for a new or replacement boat?

There is a real battle going on at the moment primarily between recreational fishers and the commercial fishing industry.

The catastrophic waste is the biggest single issue that is a common denominator.

This is the reason that the recreational and conservation groups are fighting MPI, Commercial Fishermen, Fishing Companies, Politicians and Quota holders - it’s about waste.

The two sides are like two opposing rugby teams in different uniforms. It is only half time and here’s the score.

MPI are significant losers with two directors gone and a very damning independent QC report which forced the Director General Martin Dunne to face up to national media and admit to making flawed decisions. They get a yellow card, but all the directors including Martin Dunne have got a red one.

Fishing Companies, they have lost a lot of ground. The MPI’s disgraceful conduct has rubbed off on them and their shareholders, who could be looking at calling their stockbrokers and add to this the Westpac report that says the industry has failed to live up to its financial expectations. Yellow card.

Quota Holders. There is a difference, you don’t need a boat to own quota in NZ or a fish factory, you can lease your quota to somebody that does.

The quota holders come out squeaky clean, and they have done so by saying nothing. They are the big winners so far. In some cases they can sit back watch the drama’ unfold and then very quietly cash their cheques.

Politicians and John Key should not have attempted to apply the double the value of export by 2025 policy,

to the wild fishery of NZ. Red card.

Nathan Guy. He started it all by putting the recreational snapper limit down 20% in SNA1 and by not reducing the commercial catch at the same time.

In doing so through sheer stupidity, he slapped the face of 400,000 recreational fishers.

As a result he woke up a sleeping giant and the recreational lobby groups around all of NZ found their voice. Red card.

Maggie Barry and Nick Smith failed to protect the Dolphins and bought worldwide condemnation on NZ, as a population of Dolphin killers. Red card.

The Commercial Fishers. This group has got the blame from everybody for everything relating to wasteful fishing practices.

This group is in real trouble. Now they have been caught doing exactly what the politicians (double value of export); quota holders (only best value fish landed); fishing companies (best size and species to export market); have asked them to do, and they have been hung out to dry and persecuted for doing so.

Ex-commercial fishermen have told us what has been going on, but the fishermen in the industry are still keeping it all a secret and are paying the price for that.

When they get prosecuted for fish dumping, the group they fish for will be off on holiday and not available for comment.

This group deserves a red card because some of the commercial fishers have become far too comfortable dumping fish over the side, or because they have failed to realize how much trouble they are in and have failed to defend themselves against the system.

Covering up for offenders and doing nothing, means they will all be tarred with the same brush and guilty of the same crime.

But because they are about to lose a significant amount of close economical water space to fish in; it’s unlikely that the owners of quota will be sympathetic to the extra cost of fishing, they will still demand the same amount of fish landed for the same wharf wholesale price.

If they moan about that, a large vessel with no English speaking crew on board, flying a NZ flag will catch the fish for less, while they stay tied up to the dock. Note: It took a national referendum and Britain the leave the EU for the Cornish fishermen to get their fish back from the Spanish boats).

The red card to NZ commercial fishermen has been handed out by the system not by kiwis, because we still want to eat our fish and we are generally loyal to a good kiwi bloke who works hard for a living.

We need commercial fishers but not if they are going to fish off our beaches or waste so much, for whatever reason. We need the hard working honest ones not the scumbags that have given the industry a bad name.

The commercial fisher has lost or sold their legal ability to enforce change and they cannot strike because the Companies are likely to lease all the fishing to Foreign Charter Vessels, because the Commercial fishers have high costs and get low fish prices. The ultimate cost is paid for by the fish so our sympathy ends here.

We do however feel sorry for the thousands of tonnes of fish that died only to be food for sea lice and that is the point that we should all stay focused on the fish not on the money.

And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the world.

Then he made the earth round …… and laughed and laughed and laughed.

Of course, you want to think carefully about the purchase of your boat: which boat would suit you most? If you are looking for a boat that can stand some rough handling, why not try a Whaly? Pronounced like a Whale with an ee on the end.

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12

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1080 Poison Baits Contaminate Waterways

By Clyde Graf - TV Wild

Rural families all across New Zealand are being exposed to 1080 poison, and increased risks of bacteria from decomposing animal carcasses, in their drinking water. In August, two councilors from Waikato Regional

Council presented concerns to the Waikato District Health Board’s Medical Officers of Health, after many community members were unwittingly drawing water that had 1080 poison bait dropped directly into it. The Department of Conservation, one of the government agencies that undertake aerial 1080 poisoning operations, failed to appropriately inform the local residents.

A video covering several different incidents includes testimony from a Hawkes Bay family explaining how they were exposed to the poison while walking through a local forest. When they visited their hospital they were informed there wasn’t much that could be done, as there was no test immediately available for 1080 poisoning.

When aerial operations are undertaken, poison bait is dropped directly into streams within the operational areas.

Landcare Research states in their water testing protocol that “water samples taken within 8 hours of bait application are expected to provide the

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Maggies Pipe Dream The plans to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050 are just a pipe dream on the Government’s part, according to conservationist Tony Orman.

The Government’s plan to make New Zealand predator-free by 2050 is like the song The Impossible Dream.

To achieve the target, the Government’s own factory will sell the poison to agencies to aerially top-dress hundreds of thousands of hectares of public wilderness lands with an ecosystem toxin.

The words of The Impossible Dream describe the futility – “To dream the impossible dream – No matter how hopeless – without question or pause, to be willing to march, march into hell....” It may well be an ecological hell with periodic stimulated rat plagues.

A complete cynic would say the Government sees the adoption of its “impossible dream” as a smart political ploy, to divert attention from crucial issues, such as China free-trade bungling, unchecked immigration, the housing crisis and a sagging economy.

In selling the concept of a “Predator-Free New Zealand” on television, Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry revealed an appalling lack of understanding.

Predator-prey relationships are simply nature, as David Attenborough’s programmes illustrate. Trying to eradicate all predators ignores ecological reality. Doing it by top-dressing with toxins is ecological disaster.

Predators already exist in native populations. The native falcon preys on tui. The morepork preys on large insects, small birds, especially wax eyes, and the kea preys on other bird species including Hutton’s shearwater, both chicks and eggs. Weka are predatory and the kiwi preys on invertebrates and the 178 species of native worms.

In applying 1080 to forests and wilderness. How will the Government avoid killing falcons, keas, weka, kiwis or moreporks which are seizing poisoned distressed dying birds or eating dying, writhing worms? How

greatest likelihood of detecting any residual 1080.” One of the conditions set by the Medical Officer of Health is that the poison operator provide mitigation if it’s requested by household occupiers or managers of huts/camping grounds, until any water contamination is proved clear via water testing.

However, the water testing undertaken under MoH guidelines is most often done after 24 hours to show the absence of the poison, not the presence - and when the poison has passed through, or been up-taken by aquatic, and plant life. These “clear” results are often pooled into data used to mis-inform the public that few water tests have returned positive results when operations are undertaken. It is like the police undertaking alcohol breath testing 2 days after someone is stopped for driving drunk, and stating the suspect’s result was clear, and then using the pooled data to say people who drink are safe to drive.

Another risk facing rural dwellers is that the toxic animal carcasses that decompose in forest streams after poison drops, potentially increase the risk of bacterial contamination in water. At their August meeting the councilors presented additional wording they wanted added to public notifications that would allow communities to be better informed about pending, aerial poison drops. The councilors’ recommendations would inform people, through the poison operators public notifications, that 1080 poison bait is being dropped directly into running water and that decomposing animal carcasses may be present.

However, the Waikato District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health, who has the authority to include additional conditions to their poison permission consents at a local level, is quoted as saying the proposed wording on “notifications could cause unnecessary anxiety to people”.

To view the video, click on the link ... https://youtu.be/TMSqAp2ET54 DoC’s arrogance combined with their manipulation and deliber

will rats in cities, towns and farmed countryside be exterminated?

In announcing the “Impossible Dream”, Prime Minister John Key and Conservation Minister Barry threw figures around recklessly – 25 million native birds killed by pests a year and a $3.3 billion cost each year to the nation due to “pests”.

How were those figures calculated?

On the back of a cigarette packet?

The cigarette-packet calculation was how a senior Landcare Research scientist termed the Department of Conservation’s 70 million possum population figure which the department used for some 20 years to justify departmental aerial blitzing of public lands with 1080.

Even using that absurdly high figure, scientists said possums would consume just 15 per cent of the daily foliage production of forests.

However, Barry declared possums were defoliating forests.

She also incorrectly said possums were fast breeders, but they generally have just one “joey” a year.

Barry declared rats had been in New Zealand for only 200 years. But again she was wrong. Rats came some 800 years ago with Polynesian migrants introducing the kiore rat.

Predators are simply part of the food chain. It has been recognised that predators cull vulnerable prey – such as the old, injured, sick or very young – leaving more food for healthy animals and allowing the fittest animals to survive and reproduce. Birds, mice or lizards dying slowly from 1080 are easy prey.

From the 1950’s to the 1990’s during my exploring, fishing and hunting in wilderness New Zealand, native birds were abundant. But they have now have largely gone

– the only birds one might hear now in 1080-affected areas are nectar-feeding tui and bellbirds.

The disappearance of most bird species began about 1990, about the same time as an accelerated, aerial 1080 campaign. After 1080 drops, I noticed robins, falcons, kea and other birds were suddenly gone. I fished a wilderness trout stream following a 1080 drop and it was deathly and eerily silent.

The after effects of 1080 on fastbreeding species like rats is catastrophic. As Landcare Research has shown, within three years of a 1080 drop surviving rats explode back towards four times their original population size. All 1080 has achieved is to stimulate, within a few short years, a super-plague of rats.

The victims will not be the rats in the long-term, but the native birds swamped by successive 1080 drops and stimulated plagues of rats. The Conservation Minister seems unaware rats live in rural areas, around rivers, farm buildings and houses, and in towns and cities. How will she exterminate those rodents?

Meanwhile the New Zealand people finance the unrealistic, impossible dream of predatorfree New Zealand, with its consequences of having public land and its ecosystems poisoned.

Tony Orman is a Marlboroughbased conservationist, outdoorsman and farming journalist.

Predators are everywhere and have exist for millions of years in NZ - today falcons prey on tui

Predator control is everybody’s business

Rotorua Lakes likely to be 1080’d Rotorua anglers and residents are extremely concerned over a potential 1080 aerial drop around some of Rotorua’s mostused recreational lakes areas.

DoC has confirmed that the Rotoiti Trust 15 has applied for funding approval to drop 1080 poison around

the Blue Lake and Lake Okataina areas supposedly to control pests such as wallabies and possums.

At a recent public meeting at the Rotoiti Sports Club, locals voiced their disproval and are very upset, saying the proposal would harm wildlife, and have vowed to fight it, whilst

any drop would not happen until 2019, most people who attended were against the ‘’bizarre” drop.

Mary Wood, part of an anti-1080 group, was “appalled” by the proposal and stated “1080 is a deadly, inhumane toxin to all animals - wildlife and aquatic.”

The potential to effect tourism and damage our overseas image is increasing every time this type of event is planned as visitors are becoming more alarmed with the use over all DoC land throughout NZ. Many have had tramping, fishing and hunting trips ruined because of the possibility of personal harm.Save Rotoiti 15 Trust chairman and Bay of Plenty Regional councillor Arapeta Tahana said the trust was committed to the conservation of native forest and animals.

“It has come to our attention that there is a significant pest problem, particularly with wallabies and possums, and the issue of regeneration of native plants and birds,” he said.

“We [the trust] put up our hands and wanted to get involved. We put in an application to DoC. Nothing is set in stone nor are we committed to the idea of 1080.

“Through research and advice, we think 1080 is the most costeffective approach to the issue ... and the long-term benefits are better than other methods.

“We are happy people are interested, even if it’s negative. It’s only a draft application at this stage.

We’re open to any viable options.”

ate ignoring of the truth and factual scientific evidence shows that their fail-proof plan has been implemented by boffins that have probably never got out from behind their desks, and have little knowledge of the outdoors.

When I drive around our rural roads and see the occasional stoat, weasel and rat run across in front of me, I wonder what planet they are on. How the dickens do they plan to eradicate every wild animal when our rural roads are habitat to many. Not only is the Predator Free and Battle for the Birds plan stupid it is testament to how ignorant DoC staff are.

This spring the Department of Conservation (DOC) is defending large areas of native forest and wildlife from rats, stoats and possums. What a lot of bollocks!!

So far they have carried out more than a third of their planned pest control over 820,000 hectares using aerial 1080 and 70,000 hectares largely by traps alone.

There PR propaganda machine is in full swing to justify this cruel and barbaric Plan, when in fact they should be in court facing the stern look from our judiciary.

Where is the SPCA in all this? It’s rather funny that they can prosecute farmers and others for cruel and despicable acts of cruelty to animals but DoC, Ospri and TBFree staff can do what they like!!

DoC’s deliberate campaign to wreck cruelty to wild animals is on the world stage – and when this failed campaign is over – New Zealand is likely to pay severely.

Our once clean green pure image is already tarnished by the Com-

mercial Fishing Industry through their deliberate campaign to decimate dolphin and seals, so will this be the final nail in the coffin.

Will we be the laughing stock of the world’s animal lovers? It’s highly likely.

New Zealand’s independent en-

vironmental watchdog, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, has backed the use of 1080 for pest control, in spite of the ERMA report condemning its use. They have deliberately chosen to ignore the scientific facts.

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Reasons for concern about aerial OPINION The famous mismanaged Taupo Fishery 1080 poisoning - Part One

Many reasons to be concerned about the widespread use of aerially distributed food baits containing 1080 poison (sodium monofluoroacetate) for pest control in New Zealand are evident in scientific publications and government reviews and reports which the Department of Conservation, Ospri and TBFree NZ are ignoring. Dr Jo Pollard, a scientist with a background in ecology, animal behaviour and reviewing has written this document which will be published in abbreviated form in three parts. The exact wording and references can be found in the original document: http://1080science.co.nz/ aerial-1080-poisoning-in-newzealand-reasons-for-concern/ The many hazardous properties and a lack of scientific knowledge of the effects of 1080 were described in a comprehensive report by the Environmental Risk Management Authority in 2007. The toxin was approved by ERMA for continued aerial spreading despite these faults. Dr Pollard’s review presents concerning findings from the ERMA report then examines other evidence of problems with aerial 1080 use: 1) Increased pest impacts following poisoning due to competitive release of rats and mice, and prey-switching by predators; 2) Reduced efficacy with repeated poisoning of rats; 3) Deaths of native birds; and 4) Lack of scientific justification and monitoring of aerial 1080 use.

Dr Jo Pollard completed a BSc (Hons) in Limnology, Ecology, Applied Ecology and Animal Behaviour, then a PhD in Animal Behaviour. As a scientist at Invermay Agricultural Centre from 1989-2004, Jo researched farm animal welfare and management, publishing 33 journal papers and 27 technical papers including commissioned reviews. Since then she has completed contract work for AgResearch, Massey University and Telford while running a business, an animal charity and researching 1080.

The Dangerous Nature of 1080 The dangerous nature of 1080 poison has been described many times by New Zealand toxicologist Charles Eason who warned that if 1080-poisoned food baits “are not prepared and used with extreme care, humans, livestock, and non-

and unexpected findings are characteristic of 1080 research. Notably “The sensitivity of a species to 1080 poison is difficult to predict from toxicity data from other, closely related species”.

The ERMA panel noted that: 1. there were only “very brief” results from monitoring of non-target effects; 2. no reference was cited to back up the claim that possums are the main maintenance hosts for bovine tuberculosis in NZ; 3. no data was available from Tb surtarget wildlife will be put at risk” and veys the Animal Health Board that “considerable care must be tak- claimed to have done; and en when using 1080 to ensure that 4. little factual support was providthe risks of its use are outweighed ed to demonstrate efficacy of aerial by ecological benefits achieved.” compared with ground application 1080 acts by blocking respiration of 1080 for possum control. In adwithin cell mitochondria, so it is dition the AHB’s economic evaluaharmful to a very broad range of tion was described as “crude”, with organisms including bacteria, fungi, vastly overstated, questionable ecoplants, nematodes, insects, birds, nomic benefits from the proposed mammals and snails. Sub-lethal ef- Tb control programme by the ecofects include damage to reproduc- nomic experts consulted by ERMA. tive structures, birth defects and or- A major issue which came to light gan damage and can be cumulative. in the ERMA Review was the unThe toxin has a marked ability to reliability of the concentrations spread, readily contaminating ex- of 1080 measured in stored samperimental controls and moving ples and in samples taken under within food chains, for example field conditions. The ERMA Comaphids on broad bean plants all mittee stated “it is essential that died when the roots were immersed the issue of stability of 1080 in in 0.00005% 1080 culture solution. stored samples is resolved...the Contaminated dust from aerially- results must be disseminated to distributed cereal baits was found all laboratories that undertake at a test site 1 km away, 5 days af- 1080 analyses.” However this reter a 1080 poisoning operation. search has not been carried out.

1080 is known to spread in flying Whole communities of vulnerand crawling insects, urine, blood, able and unique organisms such faeces, carcasses, and bait carried as inhabitants of ponds and tarns around by birds. In water, 1080 and epiphyte mats in trees were is highly soluble and mobile and overlooked in the ERMA review. very stable in sterile conditions. Problems with 1080 use The breakdown of 1080 in baits and 1.

Increased pest impacts soil may take months, especially in Vastly increased numbers of mice cold or dry conditions. In the bones (almost immediately) and rats of poisoned carcasses it might per- (within months) follow aerial 1080 sist for even longer. In short-term poisoning in a response known studies, contaminated fish and as ‘competitive release’. These ininvertebrates still contained 1080 creases may have devastating ecowhen the experiments ended. logical impacts: “At Mokau, posToxic breakdown products of sum control in 2002 using aerially 1080 include fluorocitrate and sown 1080 baits reduced possum fluoromethane.

The amount and rat populations to near zero… of 1080 that breaks down into In the poisoned block, the numthese or other harmful prod- ber of large invertebrates known ucts, and what effects they may to be eaten by rats soared after have, are poorly understood. rat numbers were reduced to near Bioaccumulation of 1080 occurs, zero, and then plummeted as rat at least in the short term. Due to numbers exploded to very high leva ‘latency period’ before symp- els. In contrast, in the unpoisoned toms of poisoning occur, animals area, the numbers of rats and of feeding on the baits can become the common large invertebrates very toxic before debilitation sets remained more or less stable.” in, e.g. a cave weta contained a Poisoning may favour stoats as 1080 concentration of 130mg/kg. well as rats and mice: “...in North Plants take up 1080 from the soil. Island forests control of ship rats Ants are known to shift 1080 bait leads to greatly increased abunparticles and along with other ani- dance of house mice... stoats mals such as rats and stoats which are specialist predators of mice, cache food may make stores of which suggests that with high poisoned bait or poisoned animals. mouse populations following loVariability in effects (e.g. with cal eradication of rats and mustemperature, time of day, age of telids, conditions are likely to be animal, species, population, indi- ideal for re-establishment of stoat vidual, age, poisoning operation) populations through reinvasion.”

Predation on native fauna can also intensify after poisoning through “prey switching”: “in mixed podocarp-hardwood North I. forest at Mapara and Kaharoa, for example, rats were the main prey of stoats ...After successful poison operations against rats, there were strong and consistent responses by stoats to eat more birds.”

Stoats devastated kiwi chicks after a poisoning operation: “Four months after an effective possum and rat knock-down by a 20,000 ha aerial 1080 operation over Tongariro Forest, stoats reappeared in the centre of the forest and began killing kiwi chicks. So far five of the 11 chicks have been predated, and all in the centre of the treatment area.”

creasing licence sales? Nothing… Of course they will suggest their role is administration and management - but their own report confirms marketing is their responsibility?

Then the Exec Summary picks on :”Relationships”, i.e.

In particular we believe that there are obvious opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the DepartAfter the DoC Taupo Fishery Re- ment’s relationships with Fish and view three years ago, everyone con- Game (given they are in the same sidered the 175 page report and ‘business’). Currently the relationrecommendations comprised an ship appears to be disjointed and excellent and comprehensive sum- ‘competitive’ rather than collaboramary overall and even though it tive. There are also opportunities to confirmed the issues and misman- develop stronger relationships with agement for many years, it also opti- the tourism and wider business secmistically pointed the way forward. tor in the region (for mutual benIt is sad DOC have chosen to ignore efit), and with the Lake Rotoaira Trust. it - despite what they now belat- So what have they done to promote the edly claim. The public, particularly fishery and communicate with F & G? licence holders, have every right to In the report re - “Levels of Participation” ask questions about some obvious - the problems are clearly identified: issues which involve the anglers. Overall, visitor arrival statistics for So just to focus on the most im- Taupō have declined slightly, fallportant issues identified - which ing 5.4% between 2000 and 2010. clearly illustrate their contempt for This was in contrast to New Zeatheir own report recommendations land where guest arrivals grew whilst ignoring anglers concerns... by 22.6% during the same period.

Firstly it is important to be reminded of (That is an interesting observathe reasons for the ten year review - in- tion to confirm how poorly Taupo troduced in the Executive Summary - (and Turangi) has performed too.) the opening paras in italics confirm the Total Taupō fishing licence sales importance of the fishery to Turangi. decreased from 54,086 to 41,363 The town of Tūrangi markets it- (ie, -23.5%), between the 2007/08 self as the ‘Trout Fishing Capital of and 2011/12 seasons continuing a the World’, Taupō’s waterfront is general downward trend in Taupō home to a large trout sculpture to trout fishing licence sales over the welcome visitors to the town, and past 24 years, since sales peaked at the region is home to the Tongariro over 82,000 in the 1987/88 season.

National Trout Centre near Tūrangi. The results of the Department’s surA study by APR Consultants, com- vey showed that 66% of respondents’ missioned as part of this review primary reason for visiting Taupō process, has confirmed the impor- was for fishing (note that the matance of the Fishery to the economic jority of respondents (86.9%) were and social wellbeing of the region, Adult Whole Season licence holders with an annual economic contribu- and as such, this may be expected). tion of up to $29m per annum and In the executive Sumclose to 300 jobs dependent on it. mary they suggested: They went on to say: Anglers and licence holders The Department of Conserva- In respect of the relationship with tion initiated this review process anglers, we identified the need with several broad factors in mind, to greatly improve the interface with the key trigger points being: they have with the Department. *Rethinking how the fishery is man- Improved licencing options, betaged in the context of a renewed com- ter communication and more effecmitment from the Department to work tive marketing of fishing opportuniwith others to help New Zealand flour- ties in the region were all identified ish socially, economically and environ- as aspects needing improvement. We mentally (and for New Zealanders to confirmed that participation rates (like benefit from that management); with in many places) have steadily declined *Concerns from anglers and from a peak in the 1980s, and most sigthe wider community about nificantly there has been a 20% drop the health of the fishery; in licence sales over the past five years. and Given the major economic and social *Declining participa- contribution to the region from the tion rates and licence sales. Fishery, and given that it is licence fees So to pick on arguably their most that pay for fisheries management, important issue? The report Ex- this is a significant issue that needs ecutive Summary ref 7 said: considerable focus and attention.

Improved licencing options, better and... communication and more effective We are clear that effective commumarketing of fishing opportunities nication is critical to the managein the region were all identified as ment of the Taupō the Taupo Fishery. aspects needing improvement. We This is one important issue they canconfirmed that participation rates (like not deny or hide. In late May it was in many places) have steadily declined pointed out that the new DoC Facefrom a peak in the 1980’s, and most sig- book page - which was their answer nificantly there has been a 20% drop in to replacing the Target Taupo for licence sales over the past five years. improved and to update their comSo what have DOC done about in- munication with their angler base

- had two entries for 2016 - back in January. Yet their October 2015 Target Taupo celebrated the success of their communications via Facebook? It was obviously prepared for Head office consumption and was an insult to anglers’ intelligence.

Some real irrefutable evidence of their neglect to communicate with their licence holders whilst claiming such success (communicating with their licence holders - anglers) on their Facebook?

From Page 12 of Target Taupo Issue 67 dated October 2015 headed “FACE[BOOK] TIME WITH TAUPO TROUT FISHERY” The article was celebrating their success - claiming - quote: “Now that our Facebook page has been up and running for a year or two we are starting to get quite an audience, with more than 1500 followers.” Really? So, just in case we are being unfair, check out DOC Taupo Fishery Facebook posts over the last 12 months: 2015 posts: August - 2 posts; September - 4 posts; October – 2; November – 4; December – 2.

2016 posts: January 2016 - 2; February – 0; March – 0; April – 0; May – 4. (Only started again after a complaint about their lack of posts); June – 3; July – 6; August – 6.

They only have 8 staff who must have been sooooo busy communicating with anglers.

As far as licences were concerned the recommendation in the study was clear and unambiguous - under the Increasing Participation heading: a. Put in place an on-line system in close collaboration with Fish and Game; b. Develop a national licence option; They had the golden opportunity to do that when going on line with licence sales but clearly ignored it. i.e. Where is their marketing and communications plan? see their own recommendation - to: a. Define and brand the full extent of the Taupō Sports Fishery; b. Develop and implement a marketing and communications plan to raise the profile of the fishery nationally and internationally; c. Initiate the development of a collective vision and a strategic plan for the Tongariro River to address the competing demands on the river and surrounding land.

Again nothing was done - in fact that recommendation has been ignored.

You would imagine their Head Office or Taupo Council would be concerned?

If they get away with this they have proven they are accountable to no-one.

The perfect public service role.

To anglers, that is the real issue - such an important iconic tourist trout fishery should never be managed by a Government Department. It is a flawed model. They have proved it does not work. All anglers - licence holders - prefer the Fish & Game model to fit in with the management and licensing for the rest of NZ trout rivers and lakes, where the fishery is managed by anglers - with a different sense of priorities - instead.

Anglers Organization Calls Out Councils The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers, (NZFFA) is fully supporting a national campaign to ‘Call Out Your Council’ over the deteriorating water quality in NZ lakes and rivers. Regional Councils are responsible for the management of our local waterways and the allocation and care of our water resources.

New Zealand waterways are declining – rapidly - in both quality and quantity,” said NZFFA spokesman Ken Sims. “Despite the denials of Environment Minister Nick Smith and other government spokespersons.”

The NZ Water Forum is coordinating a nationwide rally on January 23rd 2017 to highlight these concerns. Ken Sims said that anglers were all too familiar and angry about the twin problems of pollution and over-extraction of public lakes and rivers, and the threats to the fisheries they support.

“Anglers overwhelmingly support the Water Forum’s call that ‘Wadeable and Boatable’ rivers are NOT an acceptable standard. Anglers want our Council’s to strive for the best achievable water quality” he said.

He urged anglers, both as individuals and clubs, to show their support for the rally, which will be held district by district. “It’s time to make a stand for our freshwater fisheries and public waterways in New Zealand. It is time that Regional Councils, which have a statutory obligation to protect trout and salmon habitat, performed that duty and didn’t treat cleaning up rivers as some kind of joke” said Mr Sims. Councils were also often a significant source of pollution themselves, through aging infrastructure, storm water and poorly treated sewage systems.

An overview of how far NZ’s rivers are from being swim-

mable can be seen at https:// www.theswimguide.org/find/ Ken Sims said he believed the results were “averaged and incomplete” and therefore were not truly accurate. The actual situation was probably worse.

Nevertheless the “swim guide” painted a picture that should make everyone see red and concern every freshwater angler and other thinking river users whether recreationalists or farmers.

“They spell out why we need to support strongly CallOut-Your-Council,” he said.

FOOTNOTE: Further information on this campaign can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/ bungthebore/ or on the Federations Facebook page http://www. facebook.com/NZFFA and will be updated as planning progresses.

14

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Ramco 4750 for the fishing market

Ramco is one of those brands that everybody knows and respects. The range of aluminium boats is extensive: from small, open, tiller-steer dinghies up to 9m hardtops. They were one of the very first boat manufacturers to produce aluminium hardtop boats for the leisure market.

The 4750 is an entry-level boat unashamedly pitched at the fishing market, the 4750 works just as well as an all-round family boat.

CAD-designed with the plates already pre-cut before they arrive at Ramco’s Rangiora factory (to ensure precision of the components), the 4750 features a 4mm hull and 3mm sides and cabin top. The hull weighs just 360kg and the boat, as a whole, has a trailerable weight of only 600kg, making it light enough to be towed behind a standard family car without the need for trailer braking.

The 4750’s layout is typical of a

small cuddy cabin.

There is an open area under the foredeck, a generously sized anchor locker in the forepeak and that old trademark Ramco plastic moulded anchor hatch.

A forward hatch (to be increased in size on future models) gives easy access for anchoring.

The cuddy, as one would expect on a boat of this size, is really just there to provide some dry stowage. However, like many of the similarly sized offerings from other manufacturers, there is, sadly, no upstand or footrest to stop bags and the like from working their way back into the cockpit when under way, and especially when powering on to the plane.

Seating is the typical twin swivel bucket seats on fixed pedestals.

However, one can choose to upgrade to single or twin back-to-back seats, but obviously at the cost of valuable fishing space in the cockpit.

Those requiring additional seating are probably best to buy a removable cooler/fish bin with a squab and then take it or not, depending on what is planned for the day.

Soft PVC tube matting, although not standard, is an excellent option

for the cockpit, creating warmth and comfort, especially in winter.

There are a number of stowage options in addition to under the cuddy.

Across the transom there is a wide and deep tray which keeps the battery nicely up out of harm’s way and provides reasonably dry stowage, too (a domed canvas curtain or similar across the front of this area would be a relatively inexpensive way of providing even more protection).

There are also full-length side shelves large enough to take rods (there are also four holders in the coamings as standard) and a delightful little compartment on each side by the pedestal seats, ideal for keys, cellphones, sunglasses and the like.

A canopy or Bimini top is not a standard feature and owners are free to choose whether they will have one or not, and what shape it will take.

There is no doubt that some sort of protection is a good idea and the Bimini pictured here (and purposebuilt for the 4750) is one of the best.

Phil Birss Marine can power the boat with the outboard of your choice.

The 4750 is also pretty hard to beat for those on a tight budget.

Call Phil Birss Marine, 26 Euclid Ave, Te Rapa, Hamilton, 07 849 4936; 027 473 4075 or check out online at www.philbirssmarine.co.nz

I just got back home from the shops to find four Police Officers in my house looking for something, acting like lunatics!

Even searching through my garage.

They checked through the gun safe and inside my bed mattress tearing it apart!!

When I asked if they had a f#%#‎k‬ search warrant, they answered completely hysterically: “Where did you hide it?? We know it’s here somewhere!!”

Then I watched one of the Police officers look at his mobile phone and then he shouted: “Stop it! We are in the wrong house!!!! The Pokémon is next door!!!”

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The Effects of Cadmium on our waterways

By Graham Carter

58% of Waikato land may be lost for some uses that may include dairy because our Cadmium level is too high for the new food standards of 0.01%.

A cocktail of toxic runoff from intensive farming practices that includes heavy metals such as cadmium and zinc threatens our freshwater fishery.

Despite this critical ecological monitoring and research is minimal, political awareness as demonstrated in the recent regional council elections is virtually zero, and there is little or no attempt to consult with customary and recreational freshwater fishers who have an intimate and often day to day understanding of the health of the fishery that is their livelihood, there recreation and something they are really passionate about conserving.

The disaster unfolding in our streams and rivers will almost inevitably flow on into the coastal portion of our marine fishery.

These are bold claims that need to be backed by solid arguments. Unfortunately most of the research is from overseas. It is likely that results from NZ streams and rivers will differ in detail. Sadly the intensification of dairying over the last 25 years is likely to mean that things will be a lot worse here. Even if there is disagreement with some of our conclusions, that will contribute to opening up a long overdue public debate on these issues. The upcoming general election will provide yet another opportunity for publically airing these concerns. Tell us what you think.

Water quality has many contributing factors. Scientists can tell us an awful lot about very few of these factors.

For simplicity water quality often becomes reduced to a relatively small number of easily measureable factors.

Time is money after all. However for communities of interest other than central government such as customary and recreational fishers more holistic and nuanced measures determine their concepts of a healthy stream, river or lake. For fishers nitrogen and phosphorous levels are too abstract. Of much more importance are sudden appearances of new species (e.g. rock snot), changes in sediment levels and water clarity, and changes in insect populations that are food for the species they fish for food, a living and/or recreation.

It is unreasonable to expect a scientist expert say in the effect of phosphate or nitrate run-off from land on water quality to also tell us about changes in composition of insect communities resulting from changes in leaf-litter input from replanted riparian margin.

Both are legitimate measures of water quality of importance to different communities concerned about water quality. The reality is that one party alone, central Government, controls the purse strings for research funding and the current fiscally driven ideology of this National Party led Government means that cost rather than human or ecosystem health is the key(sorry about the pun!) driver.

By way of example of how existing local and central government and taxpayer funded research fails fishers, we will look briefly at how the expansion and intensification of dairying impacts freshwater ecosystems and fisheries.

We will use the heavy metal cadmium

(Cd) as our example. Cd is present in the superphosphate fertilisers sold by Ballance and Ravensdown. It doesn’t need to be, although fertilisers with less Cd would cost farmers more and presumably decrease profits.

We are not talking about trivial amounts of cadmium here. It is estimated by the Waikato Regional Council that 8.3 tonnes of cadmium are applied, mainly in superphosphate fertilisers, to Waikato soils a year. The cumulative effect of these fertilisers has resulted in 157,000 hectares of Waikato farms reaching soil levels of Cd that, by international standards are not considered safe.

The number of hectares affected will only increase unless fertiliser companies take immediate steps to reduce the amount of Cd in superphosphate fertilisers or farmers put on less superphosphate. Neither seems likely without regulation of some sort.

The 2005 Environment Waikato report on Cd accumulation in Waikato soils reaffirms the fact the legislated responsibility for preventing significant adverse affects arising from discharge of contaminants from the land to streams and rivers lies with Regional Councils. The report states that the cumulative effect of a wide range of contaminants in sediments may have toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Customary, commercial and recreational fishers may well ask why it appears that Regional Councils have sat on their hands over what can only be described as an unfolding disaster in the freshwater fishery.

As the 2005 report states, we know that the most significant potential contaminant in modern NZ agriculture is Cd, we know that it is mobile in ground water. We also know that the irrigation which made possible the expansion of dairying in the South Island increases the movement of Cd in groundwater. It is not unreasonable to expect that this Cd will inevitably end up in the sediments of streams, rivers and lakes. Where then a freshwater fisher might reasonably ask, are the results of monitoring by Regional Councils of Cd levels in freshwater, sediments and up through the ecosystems to the fish at the top of the food chains? Did we learn nothing from the sad case of the bald eagles and the near extinction of the species from the accumulation and concentration of DDT up the food chain? What is the concentration of Cd in our top of the food chain long-lived carnivores like eels? Is there a health risk to our customary fishers? Government and Regional Council politicians need to face up to these difficult questions.

In the virtual absence of publically available research on the effects of Cd on freshwater ecosystems in NZ we are fortunate to have research from overseas not only on Cd, but also on Cd in combination with other organic contaminants of agricultural origin. While the details differ from stream to stream, river to river, and lake to lake the underlying ecological issues remain the same. An understanding by politicians of these often very simple principles will inform them and their research teams of where monitoring and research can become the focus of the immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure

the safety of our freshwater fisheries.

Overseas research paints a grim picture, and as much as anything tells up how little we know. It is a call to arms to fishers who have every right to insist that their taxes are spent on research to better understand how massive increases in cocktails of toxic farm runoff affect their health, livelihood and recreation. They need to remind local and central Government th at the cost of extended monitoring can be reduced and the database broadened by incorporating their valuable experiential and ecosystem observational data.

Toxic effects of Cd in freshwater ecosystems occur throughout the food chain. At the top of the food chain, where carnivores such as eels are exposed to Cd in the water, in the sediments and through accumulation in the food chain there is likely to be a some level of health risk to those who traditionally rely on eel and/or trout as a large part of their diet. Remember that the kidneys of sheep and cattle older than two years are deemed unsafe for human consumption. What are the Cd levels in fish like eels that live in contaminated environments for decades? We don’t know, but Regional Councils certainly should. Export markets in Europe for large smoked eels might also have some interest in human health risks.

At the other end of the food chain, decomposers play a vital role in breaking down and making available organic material washed (soil) or dropped (overhanging tree leaves) into streams, rivers and lakes. Research shows that fungi (specifically Hypomycetes) make a vital contribution to the recycling of nutrients required at every level of the food chain. In some ecosystems fungi are responsible for on average 34% of carbon turnover, bacteria on average for only 9%. Most of the research on decomposer food chains has focussed on bacteria because we have simple, rapid DNA methods for measuring bacterial diversity, methods for measuring fungal diversity aren’t anywhere near as well advanced. Scientists are bit like the drunk looking for his lost car keys under the street light even although he knows the keys are on the other side of the road!

Cd has a competitive advantage over iron (Fe) at fungal Fe binding sites. Fungi are ancient organisms and require Fe for virtually everything they do. The competitive effect of Cd is analogous to the competitive advantage of carbon monoxide over oxygen for haemoglobin binding sites in the blood in human lungs. In this human example the competitive binding is swift and deadly and explains why death by carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the quickest methods of suicide.

Moving up the food chain, there is now excellent experimental evidence that the apparent lack of toxic effects of heavy metals on freshwater insects in laboratory studies do not predict accurately what happens in streams, rivers and lakes. There the exposure to heavy metals is for much longer periods and includes along with exposure to Cd in the water exposure to Cd in their food which has been concentrated up the food chains.

There is also growing evidence that Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH’s) can enhance the toxic effects

Visit us on www.facebook/Fishingandoutdoorsnewspaper of Cd. PAH’s such as fluoranthene and fluorine are used in the manufacture of pesticides, with other PAH’s naturally produced by some plants and fungi!

In the end there really is nowhere to escape because experiments also suggest that global warming will make the toxic effects of Cd worse!

Given the evidence outlined above, it is perfectly reasonable that commercial, customary, and recreational fresh water fishers call on the Gov-

ernment and Regional Councils to increase monitoring at all levels of the food chain and as a matter of some urgency fund new research to better understand the effects of heavy metals and agrochemicals on the freshwater food sources there health, businesses, and recreation rely on. At the very least, and as an initial positive step, graduate students could be funded over the summer vacation to summarise the international lit-

15

erature in the appropriate areas. We are very happy to hand over the references we have used to write this article and I am sure fisher would be happy to talk about their experiences of the freshwater ecosystems.

If Cd is the elephant in the room of agricultural effects on freshwater ecosystems, then the woolly mammoth is zinc (Zn), but that, as they say, is another story!!

Tongariro River ruined by Genesis flooding

by Andrew Perring

using a facility already in place.

This may answer the ability of the current strain of Taupo trout to grow and add weight or not. As a point to go forward this would provide an understanding what volumes of food are required to enhance growth and the volumes of food lacking within the current food chain.

In the past there has been much talk I am an ex Turangi resident and have about adding a food source to the had the privilege to fish the Tongari- lake, farming smelt was a concept ro River during its 1980’s hay days. raised. It was never really understood During that time I used to guide if that would enhance growth rates. at some of the better lodges in Surely if the trout relocated within the area and a few overseas lodg- the hatchery put on size and cones - I had a passion for fly fishing. dition then there is some form of I gave up on the Tongariro in the mid acknowledgement/understandto late 1990’s after the big floods ing something needs to be done started to change the river. About with the food supply in the lake. the time the Boulder, Breakaway Then wouldn’t it be worth adding Pools and Hydro rock disappeared. food to the lake and start producDuring that time as my own per- ing some canal size fish - I am thinksonal protest against the way DoC ing food dispensers similar to those had been managing the fishery I found on a hatchery or salmon farm. stopped fishing the Taupo region, Lake Rotoehu had pumps to an aerI stopped buying a licence and I ating system placed around the stopped supporting local businesses. lake to increase oxygen levels and Today anglers are constantly try and help clear up the lake. This asking what has gone wrong is an example of how the scale of with the fishery and what can this type of work is not beyond the DoC do to improve the fishery? capability of fisheries managers.

Over the past few years I ven- We know from the Tekapo canals that tured overseas to fish as much as trout will grow to enormous sizes if I used to fish the Taupo region. there is a availability of pellets and This is something DoC should be natural food. We know that the trout concerned about as there is a grow- will feed on whatever food is available, ing trend of anglers visiting tropical they will continue to feed on smelt locations to fish during our winter and insects. We know that any added instead of flogging the Tongariro. food source is a supplement. We also The Taupo region is losing is know that supplying non-natural food mystique for New Zealand an- does not affect the ability of anglers to glers and the international an- catch trout. Remember this could be a gler is following those trends. supplement to the natural food source.

It is very obvious how little progress The first steps to understanding what we have made in understanding can be done better going forward our fisheries compared to over- are right in front of us and there seas fisheries which have become is no need for huge initial outlay the mecca for adventure anglers. 2.

Genetics However the Tongariro remains a If there is/was no change in the special place for me, memories fu- size of trout introduced to an availture anglers will not get to enjoy. able food source within the hatchery I have been thinking about the cur- wouldn’t this also start to provide a rent size of the fish in Taupo - ten understanding of the possible geyears of thinking and listening netic issues facing the Taupo fishery. to theories and watching DoC’s Medical professionals had often commitment to the resource. raised the concept of issues surThe common debate centres around Is rounding the limited availability of the problem genetic or is it food related. genetic diversity from the original 1.

Food release of trout. Those discussions Has anyone relocated a few fresh often revolved around the effects run Tongariro trout into the trout on trout size in the coming years. hatchery ponds to see if the cur- While a wild fishery sounds rorent strain of trout within the sys- mantic in reality there is limited tem can put on weight once in- genetic diversity always has been. troduced to a stable food source? The changes to the river due to Wouldn’t that kind of start to an- floods have also reduced the posswer a few simple beliefs around sible spawning areas, which the food supply issues within Lake would have had a greater effect Taupo and whether the lack of food on the diversity of trout spawning. is effecting the growth of trout. The upper river pools were decimated Seems such an easy measurement from floods. Once an area that sup-

ported large spawning grounds and large numbers of spawning fish those spawning grounds are now long gone.

During the 1980’s the upper river was always considered the spawning grounds of the Tongariro. Few understood or knew of the number of fish spawning in the lower Tongariro.

Few anglers even fished below the Swirl pool. I still recall when DoC did their first trap counts in the lower river and got excited about the lower river also being important for spawning.

Those lower river spawning pools have not changed/or changed for the worse as much as the upper river. It could be fair to say that the off spring of the trout that use to spawn in the lower river still do so today. That available genetic diversity becomes ever increasingly smaller.

For many years Taupo fisheries were scared to introduce a new genetic strain from wild trout sourced from around New Zealand. There is nothing to be afraid of when doing this - never has been never will be. The scare mongering was that the introduced strain would be some sort of hatchery fish use to feeding on pellets and raised in a pen. For example a wild strain of trout from Tarawera or Rotoiti would still be a wild strain of trout.

Through the past decade reintroducing strains of cutthroat trout from other areas has been common practice throughout the USA, in Pyramid Lake Nevada, Wyoming and Colorado high country lakes.

Summary A great sailor once told me if you continue to chase the breeze it will eventually become a puff of wind and die away to nothing.

The same goes with business. A great business can continue to look back at sales figures and those sales figures will provide you some history.

But a successful business will continue to look forward be innovative and make the future happen.

For many years now the Taupo fisheries management has chased that puff of wind and reported on historical data. What we see now is business’ supporting the Taupo trout fishery on their last legs relying on history to keep them afloat. Looking forward there is only talk of looking back.

Our fishery managers are not as creative as those in the USA. As an angler I no longer accept this. I want to go fishing and I want an incredible fishery. I don’t want nor accept mediocrity.

I would like an explanation from DOC. Why DoC choose not to be proactive?

Why DoC choose not to delivery changes to a fishery such as those experienced at Lake Pyramid in the USA? When could DoC relocate TonContinued on next page...

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Continued from page 15...

gariro River trout into the hatchery ponds in an attempt to increase size and condition factor?

At what stage can DoC reintroduce a new strain of trout into the Taupo mix?

How long do anglers and business’ have to sit and watch DoC choosing not to make the fishing experience at Taupo better?

If there are positive changes planed that will make a difference when can we expect those to be put in place?

Do DoC plan just to sit and watch?

Many anglers and fishing guides from other regions talk anglers out of fishing the Tongariro, because the fishery is an embarrassment and so is the

way DoC and Genesis manages it.

Genesis don’t take into account the many planning hours and cost anglers put in to arrive in Turangi and have their fishing ruined because of inconsiderate water releases.

The high end angler market out there talks. They fish regularly around the world and are all in search of the next best thing. The damage to the Taupo economy because of DoC’s mis-management of the fishery is massive and getting worse every day - nothing positive is being done.

This is not something we can sit and wait and watch and see what happens.

There needs to be someone with the set of balls that has a vision with the

trout fishery. For 30 years there has been a sit back and watch mentality.

Unfortunately trout were introduced to Taupo this is not a natural setting for trout - something rarely put forward as a management strategy.

I am not prepared to support DoC when they are not doing a good job.

Pyramid Lake and the benefits of fishery managers being proactive.

This is the success story about the Giant Cutthroat trout in Pyramid Lake, USA: http://america.aljazeera. com/articles/2014/7/10/the-returnof-thegiantcutthroattrout.html Once thought extinct this is the amazing comeback thanks to dedicated anglers and fisheries biologists.

DIDYMO DAVE’S REPORT THERE WAS A TIME

When cleaning up carparks and riverbanks etc., I would pick up discarded fishing nylon and dispose of it in rubbish bins. Often while talking to fishermen the subject of discarded nylon would come up and without fail every fishermen would tell me “Oh I always take my nylon home” which used to make me think well it must be the martians who are dropping it.

Then one day a few years ago I was cleaning up rubbish etc., on the Tongariro River when I had one of those brain flashes — why not build a model trout out of the discarded nylon as a protest? Now that seemed like a fun idea so from that moment on that’s what 1 have been doing. However in order to build a nylon trout and do it with integrity it was obvious there had to be some guidelines around it.

I decided that any nylon added into the trout had to come from

within the area covered by the Taupo fishing licence.

Then there was the definition of what discarded meant and I decided this had to mean nylon discarded that could have been picked up. For instance, I was talking to a fisherman one day explaining what I was doing while he was taking his rod apart. He cut his cast off and handed it to me. I thanked him but explained that was not discarded and therefore didn’t qualify.

Neither did swimming down a river pulling nylon off snags under the water. What I was after was the nylon lying all over the carparks and on the riverbanks that had been cut off and dropped. So that’s how it all started. I figured out the best way to make the nylon trout rigid was to wind the discarded nylon into long ropes and then bind the ropes together and that’s the method I’ve used to build it so far.

Sometimes people ask where I get the most nylon from and my answer is anywhere fishermen have been there will be discarded nylon. The heavier the angling pressure, the more nylon and the reverse is also true. The only pattern I have established

is that I find most of the heavier breaking strain nylon in certain locations, on the banks of certain pools during the winter months.

But during the summer in the upper parts of most rivers there is no shortage of low breaking strain fluorocarbon. One day I was heading to the Reid Pool on the Tongariro and a fisherman was returning who knew what I was doing and he proudly told me “there is no nylon at the Reid Pool, I’ve picked it all up”.

Now that sort of thing has happened quite a few times with men, women, visitors, locals, Maori, Pakeha etc., and there is no pattern to who will pick it up. I must admit that other people have helped me pick some up. For instance I took some friends for a look at the upper Tongariro River one day and they ended up helping to pick up nylon but I have built it all myself. It isn’t finished yet, it needs to be shaped better with a head, tail, fins etc., but after winding all this winter’s collection in I took it to Matt Pate at Taupo Rod and Tackle and we weighed and measured it. From nose to V in the tail it is 110cm and weighs 141b, 4oz or 6.5kg.

That’s an awful lot of discarded nylon and a sad example of how fishermen look after the rivers.

Fresh Water Rights

By Muriel Newman

Without notifying the public, the National-led Government has entered into an arrangement with Iwi Leaders to reshape freshwater management in New Zealand.

To avoid public concerns over the race-based control of fresh water being raised at the next election, they have not only concealed details about the reforms, but they have also scheduled what little public consultation there will be until after the election.

National is clearly hoping that in the next term of Government, together with the Maori Party, they will be able to introduce the tribal control of fresh water - long demanded by the iwi elite - through the back door.

Anthony Willy, a former Judge and Lecturer in Law at Canterbury University, puts it this way: “It will come as a surprise to the

changes to the way this crucial public resource is about to be managed.

The Healthy Rivers proposed Plan Change 1 for the Waikato and Waipa rivers, currently includes a general public that their rights to policy that allows Maori landownhave water allocation decided on ers (where there are multiple owna principled basis, irrespective of ers) to apply to be exempted from race, have been so severely com- the land use change rule. This rule promised without any public input. is designed to prevent landown“Creating imaginary rights and rec- ers from intensifying their land. tifying wrongs taken out of their New Zealanders should be unhistorical context may give the comfortable with a rule that apacademics and their ilk among the plies to some but not others, policy makers a warm feeling of rec- especially when we are creating titude but they do nothing to pro- rules that align with the Vision mote and preserve the greater good.” and Strategy for restoration of In 2007 Nick Smith, who before these rivers - a V & S that was set he and his Party became cheer- by river iwi in conjunction with leaders for Maori sovereignty, the Waikato River Authority. I bestated that water is a public re- lieve that everyone should abide source and “We think it is a mis- by the same rules. I suggest that take to try and divide the manage- everybody looks at the proposed ment of water along ethnic lines”. Healthy Rivers plan change and How his tune has changed. But makes a submission. Submissions what’s most disturbing is the con- close on 8 March,http://www.wainiving and arrogant dismissal of the katoregion.govt.nz/healthyrivers/ public’s right to be kept informed of

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Want to fill the freezer with venison?

There’s nothing nicer than being able to serve guests a good old feed of venison.

A good number of my friends envy the fact that I hunt, and certainly enjoy any game meats that I prepare when we are having a BBQ or get together.

So when I received a phone call from ‘Steve’ a cussie inviting me to join him and his ‘guide’ mate Chris on a wilderness hunting trip to the central plateau region near Turangi, there was no hesitation.

My wife loves venison back steaks so I didn’t even need to get permission.

Heading south we called into Putaruru for one of the nicest feeds of fish and chips that I have ever tried, $11.50 for four fillets of gurnard and a scoop of chips. The chips were perfect and the fresh fillets were cooked in a very nice almost tempura batter.

After a four hour drive we arrived at our destination, which gave us a couple of hours for a late afternoon recce.

The property offered some very nice hunting for Sika and Red deer. We were on a meat hunting expedition, and were advised not to ‘whack’ a spiker or stag as the pending trophy potential would hurt the pocket.

Anyone that poo-hoos fenced wilderness hunting should give this place a go as its popularity is far outweighed by the wariness of the animals.

While there was plenty of animals for any budding trophy hunter to see, this is definitely a place to take a camera as there were many excellent ‘heads’ and a great variety of trophy animals to photograph.

It also provides an excellent hunting opportunity for those new to hunting plus the older and younger hunter that just wants to shoot one of these elusive animals.

The wind was a constant concern as

it kept swinging from south to southwest making it difficult to navigate the many tracks through the native without alerting the deer to our presence. But being the end of winter early spring it was too be expected.

Quite different to bush hunting this type of deer shooting definitely has its place for those chasing a feed of venison, without the skills to stalk a sika deer especially in our native parks as DoC is hell bent on ridding our recreational hunting parks of deer and wild pigs.

The shortage of deer and wild pigs in some places seems to be making hunting parks more and more popular, especially those with reasonable prices.

In each copse of titree the owners have built a variety of hides for the avid trophy hunter to hide while watching and waiting for the ever elusive trophy head to wander out into range.

There is lots of argument against this type of hunting but until you’ve tried it don’t knock it.

We saw most of our deer while we were walking the fringes of the bush edge.

Now I won’t go into any great detail about the hunting experience as I’ve been sworn to secrecy but these getaway hunting experiences are about far more than shooting an animal.

There is a lot to consider, from the company you keep, through to the menu, the cooking, time spent in confined spaces, the weather and how it affects the trip. All these mediums affect how we get on with one another and when you balance the experience the negatives are always outweighed by the positives.

Good food, good company and heaps of banter mixed with solid laughter make the memory.

Your hunting experience here will also include a guide with local knowledge of not just the area but the animals and their behaviour as well, he is responsible for the accommodation, transport and related equipment, field dressing your game and caping of trophies, meals and menus can be arranged, beverages (non-spirits), pick up from and delivery from the

To book a Wilderness Hunting trip Phone 021 334464 - 07 552 4885 or email Kiwichris243@hotmail.com

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Want to fill the freezer with venison?

local Taupo airport, and they will organize firearms to hire if required.

You can also provide your own food and transport as these things are discussed when making a booking.

We are extremely fortunate in this wonderful country in that rifle and bow hunters may hunt deer all year round as there are no seasons.

On this occasion we were participating in a guided cull or management hunt, which are used to improve herd quality and control female numbers for the park. Just the perfect occasion to fill the freezer with some quality venison.

Guided trophy hunting is available from March to September, with the ‘action’ time for the roar or rut from March to the end of May. Sika venison is considered by most NZ hunters to be one of the best, along with Fallow; both a tender and tasty organic meat to have in your freezer.

Hunting Sika deer in their preferred habitat requires determination and patience in order to outwit these cunning animals.

Sika activity in the rut can be frantic; with roaring, squealing, meowing then crashing sounds in the bush as the master Sika stag charges out to repel an intruder.

Imagine yourself sneaking through the Manuka scrub along the edge of a bush clearing towards this rutting activity you can hear around the next corner. Or perhaps a magnificent Sika stag is already in sight focused on tearing his rutting scrape to shreds.

Your Sika hunt action will be close up; in tree stands, ground blinds or stalking along the forest and scrub margins.

Sika spend much of their time in the Manuka scrub lands and the way their coats blend in with this bush shows how they have evolved for survival in this tight habitat.

Sika deer are considered to be one of the most beautiful deer in the world with their amazingly attractive spotted coats, short neat heads, large ears, appealing facial markings and white butt ends. They are renowned for their Northern Chinese heritage.

But make a mistake when stalking one of these critters and they will be back in the bush in an instant.

These Sika stags from Chinese sub species show characteristics of both the Dybowski’s and Manchurian strains. By selective culling or management the Sika are dominated by these prettier and larger antlered deer, thus inheriting the most appealing pelage of all the Sika subspecies.

The challenge is to hunt expertly, the bush edges and clearings give you ample opportunity to spot and stalk your target, amongst some stunning scenery which adds to the natural environment, giving you a genuine hunt.

Professional guides will help you skillfully realize your dream whether you are an experienced or novice hunter. The terrain is ideal wild habitat for deer to hide in, and the odds are definitely stacked in the animal’s favour. Sika is very easily alerted to foreign sounds, movements and your wind; they may quickly escape with a squeal or bark or secretly ghost away.

Hunts are conducted on foot over flat to

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View the newspaper online at www.fishingoutdoors.org – and advertise online with us rolling ground or in native (sub alpine) forested terrain which is interspersed with many small wild grass clearings.

You may hunt up close within the Manuka scrub or forest trees or use patience to outwit the Sika, Fallow or Red deer as they come to a clearing edge to feed on dusk, here tree and platform stands may be used or hides on the ground behind fallen trees or brush.

The accommodation is relatively basic but more than adequate, with a good kitchen, fully equipped for self-catering or guided hunt packages depending on your requirements.

Meals are not supplied unless you have booked for a fully guided and catered trophy hunt.

To book a Wilderness Hunting trip call Chris on 021 334464, 07 552 4885 or email Kiwichris243@hotmail.com

Greetings from Turangi Some questions for you, Fly Fishing enthusiasts Want to cast further? yes/no Cast easier into the wind? yes/no Would you like to mend your line easier? yes/no Would you like a line which is easier to lift off the water? yes/no Would you like to reduce the effort to get a cast out? yes/no Would you like a line that presents better onto water? yes/no Read on dear reader, A friend and I went fishing on a wide pool of the Tongariro recently, he a very experi-

Deercullers Reunion 9-12 March 2017

at the Thames Valley Deerstalkers premises, Paeroa.

This reunion is only open to NZ Deercullers Assn Members.

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enced angler. We had landed a number of fish each, almost time to go, I invited Mike to use my new Sunray 5 wt floating line, he handed me his 7 wt setup and proceeded to cast my line, having explained the technique to apply, two casts he was short of the far bank by around 2.5 metres, not that long casts are really required but is done effortlessly none the less.

We are the only supplier of theses awesome lines in New Zealand, in stock are 5,6,7 weight floating lines, 5,6,7 weight intermediate sinking and the amazing Czech nymph line.

Sunray fly lines micro thin and low diameter fly lines come and demo one or call us to order one 07 3867929.

Czech Nymphing - Would you ski today with wooden ski’s of course not, fly fish with an old cane rod probably not, Would you play golf without lessons (possibly), so if you want to Czech nymph properly why would you not use the correct gear, designed by the people who have been doing it the longest and who have been world champions many times, you should be feel-

ing the nymphs rolling along the river bed, detecting each little touch, catching all your fish in the top lip.

HANAK Czech nymph Rods and Reels, Flurocarbon, Tungsten beads.

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5 weights work fine on the Tongariro, anything heavier does not work.

We are the Central North Island Stockists. Welcome to come and demo one.

For me it is the ultimate, catching most of my fish in water I did not normally fish, it enables me to fish away from other anglers which I prefer, particularly the Hinemaiaia as is a bit like a dredging ground.

Runs of fish on the Tongariro have as predicted been later this year, in my view it is always good regardless of the time of year, have heard of some nice browns showing up which in fact is a little early, simply move around and fish faster water for better fish. Fish are being caught on dry flies late afternoon.

Tightlines Mill Race a favourite for me.

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Dion James in Rotorua, caught on a nymph!

The group who are spearheading this reunion are: Andy Leigh, Brian Neilson, Fred Dickson, Jock Spinks and Shaun Neustroski.

If anyone is able to assist or help out with anything at all during this time, or being prepared to put their hand up for other jobs as they come along.

Please email - ring Jock Spinks on 07 862 4883 or Brian Neilson 027 8910958 or brianneilson@xtra.co.nz

Deercullers Wilf Fuller, Bill Dorset and Brian Carson at the Galatea lookout near Murupara before heading off into the Mangamako hunting block in the early sixties.

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Book review

“Protecting Paradise” subtitled “1080 and the Fight to Save New Zealand’s Wildlife” by Dave Hansford. Published by Potton and Burton, Price $34.99.

Reviewed by Tony Orman

To begin with, consider my position as being quoted in the book as I have publicly expressed my concern about 1080 and the ‘selective science” that the Department of Conservation has used in justifying use of the poison.

Nevertheless in reading “Protecting Paradise” I strongly endeavoured to put my own personal feelings aside, read the book and then make a judgement. Make no mistake Dave Hansford writes well in competent journalist style and good standard, unlike so many masquerading as journalists in today’s daily newspapers!

To the unaware of and uninitiated into the world of wildlife management and mass poisoning, “Protecting Paradise” may seem convincing because of the author’s assured writings. But be assured there’s a fair amount not said.

One of my concerns was the lack of recognition or ignorance as to persons’ qualifications. For instance Jim Hilton, described as an “anti-1080 campaigner” is dismissed by the author as “no scientist.” Totally wrong for

Jim Hilton is very qualified scientist with a Bachelor of Science Honours Zoology at the University of Canterbury, who worked for DSIR, Animal Ecology Division, NZ Forest Service, NZ Department of Agriculture and often studied wildlife populations and abundance. Dave Hansford quotes Graeme Caughley as just an “outdoors writer”. Totally wrong In fact Dr Graeme Caughley was an eminent world ranked NZ ecologist.

The author attempts to disprove the theory that deer browsing approximates the browsing of the now extinct several species of moa in order to prove deer are damaging. He quotes one authority as saying there were just 70,000 moa in NZ compared to the current 250,000 wild deer to aid his argument against deer. But in fact, eminent CSIRO ecologist Dr Graeme Caughley (DSc, PhD) based on the biomass of moa relative to foliage consumed, estimated there were over six million moa in their various sizes from alpine to scrub to giant moa. At a 1986 seminar “Moas, Mammals and Climate Change”, scientist Les Bachelor said between 6 and 12 million.

I found it astonishing that Dave Hansford fails to mention the 1986 seminar on “Moas and Mammals etc.,” since

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several scientists there acknowledged that deer browsing approximated moa (and other birds, even insect) browsing. In discussing deer, he makes no mention of another eminent scientist Thane Riney who in NZ, did several studies that proved high erosion areas were not high deer populated areas and in his classic Lake Monk study that deer and possums reach a state of low numbered equilibrium relative to the habitat’s carrying capacity. Nor is mention made of botanist Dr Patrick Grant’s Ruahine Range studies where climatic cycles were found responsible for erosion - not wild animals.

As for 1080, itself, Dave Hansford makes a very oblique reference to 1080 being first developed in 1927 as an insecticide and instead opts for it being used by the US army as a rodenticide (rat poison) in the 1940’s. Because it is an insecticide, that kills birds and animals, it is undeniably an “ecosystem poison.” No mention is made of senior Landcare Research scientist Graham Nugent telling DOC that possums were not “rapacious consumers” of foliage and that the often used 70 million possum figure was ‘“a back of a cigarette packet calculation.”

Too frequently the author introduces another vexed question, i.e. global

warming, into his text by comparing “anti-1080 campaigners” to “climate change deniers”. Such a parallel detracts from his pro-1080 case.

Anglers don’t escape the wrath of his pen. At the end of one chapter “Killing with Kindness” he deplores the “25,000 tonnes of fish that die every year, either with a hook—or in a net,” by recreational fishers. There is no mention of fish being suffocated in mass purse seining catching by commercial fleets or wasteful fish dumping.

Despite these omissions and challengeable arguments, the book is worth reading for those interested in 1080 and wild animals..

Keep an open mind. A book should not paralyze thinking but be open to consideration even challenge, then acceptance or rejection.

It is over 300 pages, has no photos but the author’s style makes it very readable. Read and judge for yourself. Best of all read it in conjunction with Bill Benfield’s “”The Third Wave” and “At War with Nature” (both Tross Publishing) and then judge.

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Early Bird Bait & Tackle Report Early Bird Bait & Tackle Report “The Old Man upstairs listened to me”…….. The long weekend was perfect, with every boat ramp and camp site on the Coromandel just about ‘Choc-o-Block’. The sun came out and the winds stayed reasonably low, resulting in every man and his dog coming over and having a fish.

With the huge amount of boats out there on the Firth, it was obvious that some good fish where going to get caught and it was not to disappoint.

The heaviest fish that I have weighed

in the last week has been 22.5lb caught by Graeme Copeland. This was a beautiful fat Snapper caught just at the edge of the Mussel Farms along with quite a few not so big ones.

Other fishos who have caught some good fish include Cody, Greg, Luke and Gazza who had three 17lb Snapper from around Slipper Island. (see photos). I also have to mention two little girls Bella and Katara who caught some nice Gurnard just 200mtr from the shore.

Everyone was catching fish; some getting their limits and others just a few. I often get told that the bait was crap which is more than often an excuse having had it lying around in the freezer for a few years. Come on guys ‘Admit it’, you have all used bait that has seen better days. If you know it’s old why risk a day out with no fish; just cut it up into small pieces and use it as berley and buy fresh bait every time. If you’re still not getting fish, look at your hands. Don’t just stare at them; think about what you have handled over the last 12 hours. If you have hitched the trailer up, launched the boat or just fondled the wife, you will have traces of perfume, oil, grease and lots of other contaminants on them (this doesn’t mean your wife is contaminated).

All this does get transferred onto your bait and believe it or not, fish are fussy.

If you have to wear rubber gloves, don’t be ashamed, (as long as their not PINK washing up gloves). Go out and buy a box of the thin gloves similar to what surgeons wear. They are perfect and it will also stop your hands from smelling like Blackbeards jockstrap.

Just remember to throw them away properly and not dump them in the sea. I have already mentioned that the fishing is great and some very big fish are being caught. While it is

Visit us on www.facebook/Fishingandoutdoorsnewspaper nice to catch a trophy fish and take it home you must realise that these fish are the breeders and really need to go back into the water. Gazza, whom I have already mentioned caught three 17 lb Snapper and returned them all safely. Obviously if a fish is gut hooked it will not survive and putting it back is not going to help. This should be the only time you take home a prize fish.

When you see competitions advertised it is always the heaviest fish that wins. I think it’s time to change this to longest fish so that onboard measurements can be made with a universal measure and a photo taken of the fish.

This way you would keep the stocks of fish thriving for our future youngsters.

If anyone has other thoughts on this let me know? Christmas is just around the corner and after the long weekend just gone you should be itching to get back out there. Get the boat sorted and make sure everything is working.

Lifejackets are essential and MPI will be checking that everyone onboard has access to using one.

It’s little things like this that will ruin your holiday, so prepare a checklist and get it sorted before Santa Claus appears. For everyone who doesn’t already know, there is a world shortage

19

of Calamari and Baby Squid, so don’t be shocked if your bait shop doesn’t have any. Arrow squid shouldn’t be a problem but it makes you wonder what is actually happening within the world’s fisheries and indeed our own.

Look after what we have and the future will be good. So to finalise everything, the fishing is excellent, the weathers getting better and the holidays are getting nearer. Get the boat sorted, stock up with tackle and prepare for a bumper New Year. Tight Lines.

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