January 2023 - Issue 208 - The Fishing Paper and Hunting News

Sizeable shark shocks sparky

On a settled Monday evening, on the 19th of September, I sent out a message inviting friends following day. It wasn’t long before I heard back. Four responses and some a plan was set. We would leave Deborah Bay at seven sharp.

At 7:10am we were still waiting on one, the his day was set.

With that sorted, we set sail down the harbour without a breath of wind. Against the

was all we managed, but the The phone started ringing, managed to organise the (Te Umukuri) to meet us as we were passing. We settled in

A Weight Watchers

one fish day

If you were out on the water between Kaiteriteri and d’Urville Island in December, you may have heard someone hollering, “Anyone got a net?”

That was me. Probably not anywhere near you, but I have assured my friend, who swears they heard me from Blenheim, that I was hollering for good reason!

Time on the water has been now, just wait 10 minutes and its sure to be blowing a getting out to my old haunt, on what looked to be a pretty good window. No rain (yeah until well into the afternoon. Or so the Apps said. Rain and glassy waters, sun and

No worries if you’re kept busy reeling in a few feeds

but when nothing is biting, it seems more like nature is taunting you. And by not biting, I mean not even a nibble. That was until ‘bite time’…

Well, they did say it was a didn’t say was that, that no head nods or tail beats so it’s gotta be a shark right? I goodness knows how long, before settling into the tug of war we know and love. get her up, those nods and another adrenaline boost. A one at that.

I have this visual distortion thing going on where

massive and mine look, well, okay I guess, so when it enough but not over the moon happy. Any shred of

approximately 8m off the Papanui Inlet, there is a 100-140m drop off the edge

rigs and squid bait. The blue and I set the measure at

The boat has a galley that I always keep well used the trumpeter to make sashimi and ate it with white

it was a shark. The rod was doubled over and he wasn’t the kind of heavy labour he was used to. At 140m he had to work for it, but it was worth it when sparky was beaming from ear

the day.

away when I got her to the snapped. There I am, my

least she tried.

Up she bobbed and it was

show. Round and round I paddled trying to gaff the she would have just enough

got a net?” fell on deaf ears. Honestly, I think they were too busy laughing. Eventually, I did manage and 15lb it was a Weight

Turned out my estimate almost 18lb. A great ‘one

Front Cover Story

How vested interests have let down the Hauraki Gulf

to improve the Hauraki Gulf was one of unity. It was with no small amount

industry got onboard with what was to be an holistic, collaborative, and wellintentioned push to bring all users of the Gulf to the same table, with a common ambition to improve the health of New Zealand’s largest recreational marine area.

And there was no arguing to address the Gulf’s many

to the problem and to look prohibitions are to be imposed with the advent of

the Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan.

In the end, the Revitalising the Gulf proposals have

preferred options, with very little thought about what is best for the habitats and

Proposals that are part of

Revitalising the Gulf are in the hope that would be the solution. What it does, is

Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan address any other threats to of the Gulf. To ignore the very real threats to the dangerous.

Every High Protection Area (HPA) and Special Protection Area (SPA) will have adverse e ects on commercial fishing, whilst providing little rehabilitative capacity to the Gulf’s marine habitats and ecosystems.

see added pressure to areas

fall for other detrimental environment, whether they be land-based, toxoplasmosis. As an engage in good faith if determined, or simply properly, is just too hard. No matter how many times this industry best interests to have a healthy, thriving marine environment, it is lost

We are dependent on the marine environment for our living, and we any degradation. We also know we must

We just believe that if the intent is to improve

Revitalising the Gulf strategy based management must

There has been no integrated

Hauraki Gulf. The proposals

answer.

The Gulf is under threat from meaningful prohibitions are based primarily on has brought us to this point, table.

Identify the threats and let’s address them with the most appropriate management tools. This should be the last. by, and supplied Courtesey of Seafood New Zealand Ltd).

Department of Conservation,

Hunt for the sneaky blue cod

It was another classic day out on the ocean aboard my trusty Viking 400 and I had but productive gurnard session out from a northern Hawkes Bay beach.

On the way in, if there is some extra time in the day, I love to set up over some reef

these days and many spots

smaller juveniles.

Heading into what I assumed would be another failure, turned out better than into my seat. The wind had settled into the afternoon,

wrasse ripping my baits to into my rod, and I wondered

been hoping for but, alas, it was just a kahawai doing his I dropped down again and turned into wild headnot big enough for me, as it

had about three before the

This time, the line shot off wildly under the kayak something big took off. I

top hook, a poor little blue sleigh ride, before being attempted to shake the hook free near the yak. The surely thanked me as he bottom.

doubled right over and

shook its head. Hopefully, this would be the one I was

oddly, taking line where

TIDES OF CHANGE

Poppa Mike

The Man with a Face - James Burne

Born in 1826 in Northumberland, England, James Burnett migrated to New Zealand on board the sailing ship Joseph Fletcher in October 1852, along with his mother, brother William and two sisters.

Initially they settled in Whangarei, where he but in 1858, they moved to Nelson to take up his new Engineer.

Nelson involved exploration for new development opportunities - for transport routes, for settlement, for mineral deposits, valuable as well as potential employment opportunities for a young developing nation.

One of his early interests

at Enner Glynn and another Golden Bay.

In 1860 he joined Julius von Haast on his West Coast expedition, an area of New time was mostly unexplored only be sea. It would also serve to follow up on work

Thomas Brunner and John

well underway. Today, maps River) and another by Haast and Burnett (Denniston Plateau) in 1860, still exist

early explorers. There, right under their noses were the Coalbrookdale, Burnett’s development was planned and implemented and by up a small home at Burnett’s

1906 the settlement had a population of more than several families with young

was built. There were two hotels, a bakery, three stores population was just under 400. However, by 1951 the population had dropped to 84 and by 1956 it did not feature in the population mining or buildings, just a sign that told me it was

When I visit there again soon, I am quietly hoping there might be something more to help identify the site for visitors and a map

the bottom in short bursts.

Halfway up and the violent head-shakes began, and I

Out of the gloom, a dark net was already waiting in

burst down had me nervous but inevitably the plump bluey went into the net. It spent relaxing on the salt.

Kingfish

Around midwinter, my partner Janelle, myself, and our good friend Barry headed out to d’Urville Island for the Ferrymead Fishing Club’s annual excursion. This was our third time and we were excited to show off our new and improved Seahouse 6.4m to the seven other

And it didn’t disappoint, running beautifully the whole trip.

We set up at around 50m in hopes bringing in some kingies. This would be a

(blue and white) and (pink and blue), on a Daiwa Saltiga 500Ltd reel and a proved to be an awesome rod and reel.

something else. They’re powerful and strong, and reeling them in is a guaranteed work out;

biggest, weighing in at 11

the go

were both around 10.5kg. thing, Janelle is always outlike jigs and only uses fresh bait and I’m starting to think

I should follow her lead. who insists on doing trip and we’re all looking forward to next year’s.

THE BEST BY TEST... SINCE AGES AGO

Alex looks suitably stunned by his excellent fish caught with 60lb Supple Trace. Many anglers prefer it’s supple feel and the smooth way their knots pull up, while it still maintains impressive abrasion resistance and knot strength.

Snapper on the ‘chew’ can’t resist the flowing skirts and swimming action of a Sunakku®. And once they’re hooked, the head slides up the leader making it harder for your fish to dislodge the hooks.

A Snapper Snack’s® flowing skirts, coupled with a strip of bait, are pretty irresistible for most fish, and Sam’s Blue Cod was no exception. They really are the ultimate combination of lure and rig.

Kingfish are hard fighters, and they’ll drag you through nearby structure to try and bust off. High performance leader is essential. Tough Fluorocarbon gives you the extreme abrasion resistance and knot strength required to do battle with these bullies.

DX Point®, with its PTFE coating and 4 micro cutting edges, is one of the sharpest hooks you’ll find. It’s a strong hook too and is a great choice for a hard jawed fish like Michaela’s impressive snapper.

Kingfish love chasing livebaits and tend to hit them hard. GZ hooks, with their super sharp point and heavy gauge wire, are the ultimate hook for this style of fishing. Good choice Courtney.

Mason Durry - Kingfish caught off White Island 80lb Fluorocarbon Leader

Michaela - 26.6lb Snapper caught off Whakatane 6/0 DX Point® hook and 80lb Tough Trace

Sam Boothroyd - Blue Cod caught in Tasman Bay 5/0 ‘Super Lumo’ Snapper Snack®

Scott Parry - 12lb Snapper caught off North Cape 80g ‘Pinky’ Sunakku®

Courtney Rowling - Kingfish caught near White Island 9/0 GZ hook and 130lb Tough Trace

Alex Walmsley - 18.5lb Snapper caught in the Hawkes Bay 60lb Supple Trace

Murphy rosters on—trout o

Occasionally Matey and I make trips to more distant locations, so this time it was a lake just north of Fiordland. We’ve done well here in the past and it also been skunked when the torpid and not interested in Water temperature was better this time and none of the untoward things from the polaroids, or sliding down happened.

the bush as always though, holding his belly and of bringing his law to bear on us again. He didn’t take

reliable stream mouth near the ramp failed to show lake where we’d previously play his quarry. At the outset

it,” quoth he. Turned out to be a slabby

a lake with some thumpers, He must’ve gone on his tea up a short time later when I fashion, threatening to bury itself in the weed, before out the other side, requiring some swift manoeuvres with oar and rod. This one had energy to burn and ran for nearly 10 minutes, with me having to keep the pressure on to avoid it going in amongst the submerged trees, fallen from the hillsides over the years.

There are some huge logs amongst these fallen giants, for both boat and line.

further out in the lake and I began to feel it was soon mine, but that was and, while I still had the

Fish Profile Trevally

If you like a scrap on light tackle and enjoy a succulent feed this coastal pelagic species is hard to beat. They belong to the same family as are streamlined in shape and metallic green to blue in colour. A black mark over the gill plate makes it easily

Juvenile trevally have a narrower shape and quite green through to yellow

Trevally grow to around

around prominent reefs down to 80 metres, through to the shallow waters of inshore estuaries and harbours.

Targeting Trevally.

nature.

As we planned next moves around the lake, naturally remained high! Light airs the edges and sedges, would ghost out of nowhere to appear right beside the boat, adding interest to the

didn’t take it but swerved away and immediately did metre out of the water, a rod length from our boat. Every to the eye, it dropped straight moment to be savoured in the memory banks. Next time we’ll go on off.

Distribution.

warmer waters, the trevally

Island. Their range extends Island and as far south as the Top of the South.

range of habitat, from open waters offshore where they are often seen working the

Trevally feed on a wide range of small marine feeding. Food Quality. Often underrated, the eating and very popular as sashimi. It is best eaten fresh kill, bleeding and being

Wish upon a ‘shooting’ star

Early summer and it’s a pre-dawn start to beat the daytime heat. Heavy cloud cover breaks now and then to reveal a star-studded sky. Here at home the atmosphere is clean and clear, so a shooting star streaking from left to right draws my eye. It’s beautiful and possibly a sign of things to come.

Outdoors the air feels hot storm brewing. The pair

Further out, atop an old man pine, a magpie has been kamoodling to serenade the dull glow of a distant dawn.

uttering up his very last few whoo-whoos is a morepork. He’s running late this morning. As am I. The swallows are good omens but the magpie is a bad omen and some say, the morepork is a harbinger of death. So, will it be a good day, a bad day or a

Out the door then, ensuring there’s ammunition aplenty

here. I live rural, remote and from here it’s still another 13 kilometres to the kilometres from there to Spot

As planet Earth rotates on its axis, the new day

bellies bumping together like sumo wrestlers vying for superiority.

A pig, all ribs and hips and tail is held out at half-mast, signalling to me she’s giving

later, four pot-bellied worm-

Finally, I’m at Spot X. The rain and I arrive at the same time. Small fat

saturating me as I ready my hunting gear. To give myself an extra edge, I pull my husband’s well-worn tee shirt over my own. I don’t know what it is about that man, but

As the rain beats a rapid pitter-patter, I wade the last ford on-foot and there, embedded in the bank and

is a rusty old horseshoe. What’s its story? Did it

laden air. Good show! It gets darker, and louder.

wrestle and rumble. The thunder makes my ears

Deer stalking has been forgotten. I would rather be right here, right now, with rivulets of sweat-tainted water running down my husband’s sodden tee shirt over my sodden tee shirt. I

vegetation and wet soil too.

Kim Swan

before glaring at me with the vegetation.

I carefully lay the horseshoe beside the creek, intending to pick it up on my return. Then I walk, zigging and zagging, hair-pin bend to hair-pin bend towards the skyline.

a show. The skies darken

the gloom, its summer warmth spawning tendrils of steamy mist. Dull grey hues brighten to various shades of green and gold

saturated and his tall velvet antlers sparkling with silverspangled rain residue, is a feeding stag.

The stag catches a

glimpse of bedraggled me—curious, he turns broadside—that is lucky.

A standing free-hand

right before a pause. Then the shot is true.

The stag leaps high then

YOU WANNA TOTALLY ESCAPE STRESS? GET A BOW & ARROW

his feet but every metre he is one I don’t have to make with him in-tow. I am grateful. That wish upon the falling star earlier this morning is outliving all

The Pulsar Krypton FXG50 is a thermal monocular

converting it into a thermal with a monocular eyepiece for use as a spotting device. It is aimed at hunters

Field test: Pulsar Krypton FXG50

Setting up on the Ruger M77 .308

I found the unit straight

at the range, it grouped as

set up, while doing a spot of night shooting as well.

Essentially a thermal

tension lever, the Krypton FXG50 is not sighted in like and square it by looking

is an adjustment mode in the required.

First time out, I had the unit for an evening hunt. While I the thermal performed in daylight through to twilight and dark. I sat in a good shooting position and 10 fallow fed out into the

Intending to take a red, I was prepared to wait until in the knowledge I didn’t have to make a hasty shot as shooting light faded

The Krypton FXG50 and general seem to polarise people; I had heard wildly opposing opinions before

due some of the negativity (interestingly, some of the

learned had never used them!). There seemed to be a question mark over whether they would hold the

there was an argument that of alignment easily when or on the quad bike’. Still, point to test from. when a dopy fallow spiker made a rapid beeline for

whistle when the spiker got

position, the red stag was moving off. A loud bark halted it at 175m and it was Autopsy showed both bullets

Subsequent hunts in Timaru

with 10 deer to one-shot kills and no misses. On one hunt I was able to take a fallow yearling at 80 with a in the dark on my way out,

Impressions

First of all, the image

mixed reviews about what

on, some arguing it was

Swarovski, it was no trouble

I didn’t have any issue held true over multiple re-

the majority of meat hunting situations, the results speak for themselves.

with tension lever was very

As a handheld, it works very well and the image

being able to spot game with but, to be honest, the reality Sometimes it slotted on at night, in less than ideal

in the dark. I had the best the unit prior to hunting.

very impressed with the Pulsar Krypton FXG50 and for the hunter who wants the

Opinion: The Delaware denial

Despite a District Plan rule permitting the activity, its importance to continued safe access to Tasman Bay and despite it being in the best interests of the public, Nelson City Council is pushing ahead in the Environment Court to have the launching of boats at Delaware Bay Wakapuaka Estuary declared to not be a permitted activity. This move has the backing of local iwi, which is very disappointing considering the local community supported them in the establishment of the

Tāiapure in Delaware Bay.

Like many others, I have served on the management committee for 20 years, which wasn’t even consulted on this move, so take this as a real slap in the face.

The ramp and launch area has been used by the public, both Māori and Pakeha, for over 180 years—since before Nelson City was

Nelson City Council now appear in denial of this. In legal submissions to the Environment Court, council argue that no such ramp exists and never has; it is

merely an unformed dirt track.

Ironically, an MPI Recreational Fishing Rules sign is erected at the top of the ‘ramp’. These are common at boat ramps throughout New Zealand and were established circa 1980. There is even a Ministry Register of Recreational Regulation Signage, which catalogues the precise location of all signs. According to the sign is situated at ‘Maori pa road boat ramp’ (sic), which is the road that leads to the estuary—the self same ‘not ramp’ at issue.

A MPI spokesperson told The Fishing Paper & Hunting News that many of the remote boat ramp signs were erected at the request of local iwi, local landowners or councils. Clearly, the ‘Maori pa road boat ramp’ has been acknowledged as government department, with the full knowledge of Nelson City Council, for at least the last 40 years, but Nelson City Council denies it is a ramp!

What is council’s real agenda?

Mayor Nick Smith is attempting to breathe new life into what has been widely touted as ‘a dysfunctional council’ but early signs suggest he might have his work cut out for him. Nick has

maintaining access rights, and recently tabled a motion to remove the issue from the Environment Court and deal with it in the new Nelson Resource Management Plan, currently before council, to enable public input. This is the appropriate process and was recommended to Nelson City Council by the in 2019, after council staff refused all other solutions. However, despite presenting a strong case, Nick’s motion was lost 10—3, with an elected councillors wanting an Environment Court ruling. This should raise some serious questions in the minds of the public, namely: - are councillors acting in

Ree on lads keep Birchfield secret

Reefton has many things going for it, including great location, a good distillery and some magic trout slog to get amongst the sea of the lads from Reefton busted out of isolation and headed to the coast in the hope of catching a feed. Spot X must remain a closely guarded secret somewhere between

Annie. We baited up the Seahorse Kontiki and nudged it out for an

- is council sta informing councillors fully and accurately?

- how many councillors can honestly say they have read all the a davits and submissions before the court?

- how many councillors (or sta actually understand what the court case is really about?

- how many councillors (or sta are aware of or understand the policies and objectives of the plan that are supposed to guide their decision making?

- are any councillors (or sta aware of the national policies and objectives designed to protect and enhance our access rights?

- should council win in the Environment Court, do councillors understand the dangerous legal precedent this could set (or do they care)?

making decisions based on emotion and/or ideology?

- are councillors even aware that the plan identifies Delaware Bay Area for special protection?

- what is the purpose of councillors if they are not there to serve the public?

One only has to look at a couple of the access and in the NRMP to realise this council is marching to a different drumbeat. It’s time elected councillors came clean and told us what their real agenda is—and stop putting the public last (if at all).

Help the Delaware Bay YOUR access rights

Pay your donation to Delaware Bay Access Group

evening dip. Then we repeated the exercise the next day around high tide and weren’t disappointed with the results. A bit of a smorgasbord, with a good catch of snapper, one fat gurnard and a couple of clearly a good breeder, so we put it back; it did take and running but that’s a small price to pay for the

harvest—a great boys trip away and a bit of fun with the kontiki.

Accidentally live baiting

Autumn through winter, d’Urville Island is the 29th birthday, Scott, Matt, George, Ryan and I packed up our gear and booked a charter. We met up in Havelock then headed out to the island, ready for a piece of the action.

Somehow, we ended up not taking any bait with us and

that wasn’t a problem. We settled in around 70m of water, when I had decided to get out some super light gear and try my luck at catching some blue cod.

Justin Bishop

thought I’d had success. It didn’t feel big, but it didn’t feel small either. A decent blue cod for dinner. Suddenly, bam! Something a lot bigger than some cod was hooked on the end of my

to 20 minutes later, we were able to see colour from the side of the boat.

he wanted blue cod for lunch and had inhaled mine on the way up. Talk about live bait!

coming and we ended the day with handful of snapper

24lb snapper for me, both my new personal best. Many of the others also got new personal bests

The boys from Reefton busted out of isolation for the annual harvest at Spot X on the West Coast L-R Nathan Gregory (aka HAGGIS), David Lineham, Van Askin, Daniel Askin, Simon Hargreaves, Loki Hargreaves

Daniel Askin

S M OK IN

Smokin’ Barrels oak smokers don’t suffer from undesirable condensation build-up

COOKING with CRIMPY

• Easy to use

• Heaps of space for racks/hooks

• Cold smokes cheeses to nuts to veges etc

• Hot smokes anything

Crimpy’s Spanish venison bake

500g venison mince

1 can hot chilli beans

4 medium agria potatoes peeled and cut into small cubes

1 large carrot finely diced

1 cup frozen peas

1 large onion finely diced

2 tsp crushed garlic or 3 fresh cloves or 1 tsp garlic granules

1 heaped tbsp mushroom powder (I buy dried mushrooms from Asian Market and blitz)

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 level tsp white pepper

6 grinds cracked black pepper

Salt to season 2–3 cups water

6 eggs

1 cup grated cheese

1 cup panko breadcrumbs Oil

2 tbsp plain flour mix with cold water to make thickening liquid

Add a thin layer of oil to pan over medium heat and fry potatoes until golden—remove and set aside.

In same pan, fry carrots until soft—remove and set aside.

In same pan, fry onion until soft—remove and set aside.

Add more oil and fry mince until browned.

Season, and add pepper, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, mushroom powder and carrots—combine well over heat.

Add 2 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes. The liquid will reduce.

Add chilli beans and peas and heat through.

Add enough water to make a sloppy mix, bring to a simmer and thicken with flour and water.

Remove to an ovenproof dish.

Cover top with potato cubes.

Break 6 fresh eggs evenly over top.

Cover with grated cheese and breadcrumbs. Grill in oven until cheese melts and breadcrumbs colour— approximately 10 minutes. Serve piping hot—delicious.

Ideal for breakfast, brunch or dinner, this twist on the classic Spanish Eggs is a tasty, nutritious winner.

The Seafood Sustainability Awards 2023

Next year, Fisheries New Zealand will be holding the second Seafood Sustainability Awards, honouring those who make outstanding contributions to sustainability and innovation across Aotearoa New Zealand’s seafood sector.

Many New Zealanders go fishing to feed whanau and friends, and to support their families and communities, says Thea Wallace, Director Strategy and Governance, Fisheries New Zealand.

These awards recognise that a range of people are doing innovative things, through science, leadership, community engagement, and kaitiakitanga, to support the sustainability of our seafood sector.

It’s our chance to recognise the individuals, community groups, and businesses who are demonstrating exceptional commitment to ensuring that our oceans are productive and healthy, both now and for future generations.”

Launched in 2020, the awards continue to celebrate past finalists and award winners.

Among the 2020 winners were:

Rosemary Hurst, former

NIWA Chief Scientist and considered one of New Zealand’s leading fisheries experts

Richard Wells, a fisheries consultant with Resourcewise, who developed the Deepwater Protected Species Bycatch Liaison Programme

New Zealand King Salmon, which was credited for its waste minimisation and developing an environmental certification programme.

Among the finalists were student Maegen Blom, who helped rebrand her family mussel business, Hawkes Bay-based Better Fishing, which supplies quality fresh fish, and Scott and Sue Tindale, whose marine research charitable trust has set up an inshore fish

tagging program promoting ethical angling and conservation.

These past winners and finalists showcase the highquality work being done in a wide variety of areas. We look forward to seeing who will be recognised this year.

There will be six award categories, with finalists and winners chosen by a panel of independent judges representing di erent parts of the seafood sector. An additional award will also be awarded for long-standing contribution to sustainability.  Nominations will open in February 2023, and more updates will be made available online at https:// www.mpi.govt.nz/seafoodawards

Fisheries Round up

Cockles, pāua and toheroa fines dominate fisheries prosecutions

Several people have received fines for taking cockles from closed areas, taking too many pāua, scallops and in one case the prohibited shellfish –Toheroa.

A 22-year-old man has been fined $750 in the Dunedin District Court for his part in taking 62 pāua from Kaka Point in the Catlins South Island area. The man and his fishing partner, who has already been fined the same amount, were gathering in the area in February this year, when they had their catch inspected by an MPI Honorary Fishery O cer. The daily limit per person is 10 blackfoot pāua and the men had three times this limit each.

A 36-year-old woman was fined $560 in the Manukau District Court for taking 667 cockles from the closed Eastern Beach in Auckland. The area has been closed for several years and there are about 20 signs displaying this. The woman was stopped by an MPI Honorary Fishery O cer in February this year and claimed she was unaware of the closure. The daily limit

per person in areas within the Auckland – Coromandel where beaches are open for cockle gathering is 50 per person.

A 31-year-old man was ordered to do 120 hours community work for being in possession of 139 pāua of which 129 were undersize, following a sentencing in the New Plymouth District Court. The man was stopped by Fishery O cers in February this year at Waitara Beach. The daily catch limit for pāua is 10 per person with a minimum length of 85mm.

A 40-year-old man was fined $1000 in the Hawera District Court for having over three times the daily limit for pāua. In March this year the man had his bag searched by MPI Fishery O cers –about two hours after being educated by them on the daily limit which is 10. The man had 43 pāua, taken from the Puketapu Reef area in South Taranaki.

A 52-year-old has been fined $800 in the Dargaville District Court for taking 63 toheroa from a beach near Dargaville. He was stopped by an Honorary Fishery o cer (HFO) in September 2020 at Mahuta Gap, Ripiro Beach. Gathering toheroa has been prohibited for many years and all the

toheroa was returned to the sea by the HFO.

And a 46-year-old man was fined $1000 in the Whangarei District Court, for being in possession of 177 scallops, taken from Urquharts Bay in September 2021. The man had two other safety people aboard the boat they were on and recreational fishing regulations state they could take 60 scallops – or 20 each.

“The rules are there for a reason – to protect fishing resources that belong to all New Zealanders so that they’ll be sustainable for generations to come. We have signage up in a lot of areas about closures and other fishing rules. Fishers that don’t follow the rules risk expensive fines or depending on how serious – they could find themselves before the court,” says MPI National Manager Fisheries Compliance, Niamh Murphy.

If you are unsure of the fishing rules – the best way to be up to date is by downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules App.

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24).

The Glorious

The opening day of event around most of New Zealand. It is always weekday or weekend, and is eagerly anticipated by thousands of freshwater anglers from around the country.

sport. New Zealand angling historian Bryn Hammond

uninitiated” but to many by grumpy old men. Fly

it was easy, then everybody would be doing it”.

I was fortunate to be part of a merry troupe of men ritual of Opening Weekend. boat, and enough food, last a month. Don and Peter are both retired (grumpy old men) while Cam and I pretend to work (posers)

Sinker to Smoker

Ron Prestage

Tauranga Bay on the West Coast, south of Westport, is becoming more well known with the opening of the 55km Kawatiri Trail. This bike trail will run from Westport to Charleston, with the sections to Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay and Okari now open.

Bay is a major tourist

summer period. Tauranga starts to return to its former glory.

Lindsay Stuart of Nelson has a holiday home at Tauranga Bay, and also in

but we never mind sharing Trout Fishing Club (www. mates.

Settling in at the hut on the afternoon before Opening Day, we thought we should check out if we had any competition at another nearby hut. We’d just pulled up in the carpark when out walked fishing guide Anton Donaldson of Collingwood, getting ready for a recreational day out on the 1st.

with us the next day or was press-ganged into submission. Either way

Club President Don and upper river while the Cam, Anton, and Zane (workers)

water beside the road. Opening Day dawned

my hands in an outside sink and there was little hope the trout going. Don and

while Cam, Anton, and myself (grumpy younger men who pose as workers)

Tauranga Bay top spot

in deep holes. Cam offered

lifted the rod and felt the weight. At the bent rod, Anton asked if I had a snag, it”, and I was surprised to of the season. It wasn’t an

net job and Cam slapped me

photo, our joint trout was released for another day and another angler.

old men) and all had a great time out together. Anton

nymphs but my favourite was old trout that slowly sipped downstream take. We’ve all between us over the years a highlight of the angling get to share it with old and

2022 will be remembered as the year we learnt to live with COVID-19. Fortunately, there were more opportunities for South Island fishers than in the previous year, as evident by increasing numbers of boats on the water and hand gatherers at the first Kaikoura pāua fishery since the 2016 earthquake.

That said, the strain on governmental management of recreational fisheries is becoming more apparent. Kaikoura highlighted the guess work behind government estimates of recreational catch and doubts about the sole use of daily bag and season limits to constrain catch.

During the year, Fish Mainland has helped government agencies, wherever possible, to improve the management of South Island fisheries. Our purpose is based on the adage that the secret to change is in focusing e orts on building something new, not fighting the old way of doing things. On that basis, we consider the first step is to help agencies by collecting better data on recreational catch. In so

Managing recreational fisheries – not for the faint of heart

doing, fishers can have a greater voice in defining problems and workable solutions regarding how to sustainably harvest, while lessening our impact on fisheries and the marine environment.

Catchy App for Mainland fishers

Fish Mainland, in collaboration with the Nelson-based Plink Software Ltd, has developed a recreational fisher selfreporting system first applied to the blue cod fishery and currently expanding into other fisheries. The data is collected via a mobile app, appropriately named Mainland Catch. Links to download Mainland Catch and videos on how easy it is to use can be found on our website: www.fishmainland. nz

Our second step for improvements this past year focused on access for recreational fishers. Without access, fishing opportunities can be curtailed significantly. For this purpose, we worked with the Clutha District Council (CDC) regarding what matters most in reducing the e ect of vehicles on public safety

and enjoyment of beaches and protection of the coastal environment. We consider the CDC’s recent decisions address the issues without unnecessarily restricting public access to beaches.

Delaware Bay issue could impact all beach access

Unfortunately, the situation regarding the Delaware Bay (Wakapuaka) Estuary could adversely impact on access and public safety. The bay’s estuary has been used for generations to launch and retrieve small boats. It is a safe option for those who launch at nearby Cable Bay and get caught out with prevailing conditions or for those who launch at Nelson but cannot safely return.

However, the Nelson City Council (NCC), with local Iwi support, object to the public’s right to launch and retrieve boats. This has led to the NCC taking the matter to the Environment Court based on a particular interpretation of the Nelson Resource Management Plan.

Fish Mainland has supported the Delaware Bay Access Group’s objection to the NCC’s interpretation of this plan. Fish Mainland and the Access Group maintain

killing or seriously injuring Hector’s or Maui Dolphins.

Netting ban ludicrous

Finally, we continue to be outspoken on the set net ban in Golden and Tasman Bays. To be clear, we fully support applying the set net ban where netting poses a risk to incidentally

And we do not object to the ban applying in Golden and Tasman Bays, despite the dearth of supporting evidence.

We object to the ban applied to the longstanding netting areas of inland waterways without any justification whatsoever.

Locals have set netted

in these waterways for generations without ever sighting a dolphin. There is no shortage of issues impacting on South Island recreational fishing. Please show your support for Fish Mainland by becoming a member for free and making donations via our website or bank account no 03-0823-0101056-000

there is a better way to resolve opposing positions than using ratepayers’ funds in court.

PISTOL SHOOTING

Brian Bishop

Before I talk too much, let’s look at the numbers: 1700 competitors from 70 rounds each, some more, some less, equals 1,071,000 week, executed as fast as each shooter could under extreme heat. Yes, there

but no real issues, which shows the quality of the training we all do to compete.

New Zealand had two members who went to work

and they work damn hard half days, they had to work the full day. This means they are there early and stay

and Tony Skews.

shooting the same stages,

For me, the biggest issue was the heat; to say it was hot and muggy was an understatement, even friends

a lot of things but without trips away, it is what it is.

The number one rule is drink and drink more

IPSC World Shoot

We went, we shot and we returned.

was two years late due had been looking forward to it and Thailand did an movement, swinging targets that someone on drugs must about like they did. All this brought the best and worst out of us, or it just might have been me. Working as a team is a different game for most of us as normally, it is just for a four-person team, the

away. There is more talking about the best way to shoot of us do our best. Our people did well and

worked together helping results. Two did very well

IPSC Worlds. Andre Boiser won the Shoot Off, a side

were awesome and we are as proud of them as they were with their results.

started well, then went to ill. This ended with a fast driver should have been on for two days and then he all return to New Zealand with the rest of us. Time for rest and relax, oops I mean time and earn my keep again.

My New Years resolution for 2022 was to start hunting. I began with my brother-in-law hunting for fallow deer in rural Whanganui—a step up from the rabbit hunting we had done previously. Eating the spoils of our hunting, I was hooked. However, I had limited hunting opportunities due to my brother-in-law living in a different city.

Later in the year, one of my neighbours took me out

neighbour mentioned the Deerstalkers and how the

Deerstalkers and in their next newsletter they advertised an

tahr in the Southern Alps. I signed up for the trip and

The year I became a hunter

Matt Poynton

gear to up-skilling. I attended a Deerstalkers before the tahr trip! HUNTS was great preparation as it I’d need, from surviving in the outdoors to being able animals. There was a good sessions, and I made a mates. The highlight was Then down to the Rangitata River with four other hills and saw tahr but didn’t

manage to pull it all together. On last full day of hunting, my mate and I really wanted

the hill. We were spoiled groups of tahr in multiple

I had a few failed attempts over the week, so took my

Then I got my sights on the biggest bull in the group and

After making sure my bull was dead, I lined up a nanny. The nanny tumbled down,

Next was my lesson on

hardest part of tahr hunting. We had three hours of light and three tahr between us

and half went well, with us

left us with either taking

other tahr and the possibility of a shorter route home. unknown and headed up the over an hour until darkness set in. We found ourselves in the position of no easy mate suggested we sleep out. It was a daunting thought, but I remembered my HUNTS training and I knew I had the gear I needed to even though it would be

down to the stream we had been in the previous on our way down. We made retrieving my bull. This time gamble and took the long hut.

a hunter, although I know I’m looking forward to some summer hunting and putting my new-found skills to the test. Thanks to all of those who helped me start my hunting journey.

Cabinet ministers (and) oxygen sucking lowlifes Cou a’s Cut:

Yep, I know we’ve just gone through Christmas and I know I should still be full of good cheer, goodwill to all and all the rest of that stuff but, bloody hell, with what’s in my email inbox and what’s in the news, I’m

As always, there is one

the elderly guy on his own

have been arrested. I’m however under no illusions

renewals. The government’s rabbiting on, telling us to tighten our belts and not spend and here we have one of their own departments lot of people will not be able to afford it. These people

the privilege of owning a way over the top for a lot of people.

shitheads as to their good through the trauma of being will probably let them off see as the norm.

The email I’m talking

was

a woman who was living in

$10,000 worth of property period of months. Due to, wanting to interfere with her

I’m going to wrap this up

who

no regrets about what I have done.”

Ahh sorry minister, most of the population differ on that. this one of the most divisive and dangerous I have heard,

Think hard about that little gem.

So, no I’m not full of good

going to live in. Also, spare a thought for the poor bugger who, while at work providing for his family, got another lowlife and total oxygen.

no reparation ordered. FFS, there may as well be a sign up at all retail outlets

will be remembered as

Recreational fishing in Tasmania-similar, but di erent

Storm Stanley

If there is one thing more interesting to a fisherman than what you are catching, it’s what everyone else is catching. The same goes for how others go about their sport.

In Tasmania, as an example, recreational fishing is managed di erently to New Zealand. With Hobart sitting at about the same latitude as Christchurch and being a landmass sticking out into the roaring 40’s, it is no surprise that we share many fish species and similar marine habitats. Walk the beaches or dive and you see familiar kelps and seaweeds like bullkelp and macrocystis; also shellfish like scallop, abalone (pāua) and oysters. And for finfish, they get snapper, hapuku, gurnard and trumpeter, mixed with species we don’t see, like flathead.

With a population of about 550,000, half of whom live in Hobart, but with a

landmass over a quarter that of New Zealand, you can find a fishing spot for yourself real easy. If you ever wanted a fishing holiday, you could do a lot worse than heading there for a bit of beach or rock fishing, diving or score a trip on a boat. Tassie is a real recreational fishers happy place.

But there are important di erences, and I think aspects we could think about adopting here.

I went over a month ago for a bit of hiking and, out of curiosity, checked out what happens if you want to catch a feed of fish. The first di erence is that in Tassie you need to get a fishing licence. Check out the following link.

https://fishing.tas.gov.au/

You can get a licence online, or do what I did and head into the nearest Service Tasmania shop (like

a council o ce) and buy one over the counter. The cost is A$59.50 for the basic licence, with an additional AUS $8.50 for high value fish species like rock lobster and abalone. The fishing year is 1 Nov—31 Oct, so don’t get get caught like I did and buy one on October 2nd! While aboriginal people are exempt from needing a fishing licence, they have to abide by the fishing rules, same as everyone else. And there are discounts for those on a benefit, under 16 and on the pension, so Crimpy would be fine.

For that you get to fish all year, anywhere in Tassie. They also supply measuring devices, information books and a printed licence. The government agency, Primary Industries and Water, puts a lot of work into encouraging and supporting recreational fishing. To the point where on the o cial website they

have maps of where to try your luck for various species.

An o cial I spoke to told me that the main reasons for the licence were so they had a way of quantifying amateur catch levels, but also to help fund fishing projects for non commercials.

For the first point, the number of licences issued gives absolute count of participation, whereas in our country it is really a guesstimate. Turns out Tassie has one of the highest participation rates in the world—about 20% of the population fishes for a feed. Also, once a year a random selection of licence holders are contacted and asked to respond to a panel survey type questionnaire on fishing for the year. Though apparently for the heavily fished rock lobster they are moving to a reporting App. next year.

And the money from the licence fee goes straight back to enhancing the recreational experience. It funds stu like community education, research and better infrastructure like launching ramps and jetties.

When I was there, there were media stories of the construction of artificial reefs and permanent FADs being installed to improve fishing opportunities. It also funded an excellent 10 year Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy. Here that would be on the ratepayer or out of taxes.

An aspect I particularly liked was that management seemed more flexible and attuned to species characteristics. For example, they have two

Kaikoura pāua up for grabs again

In December, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, announced that the Kaikoura pāua for a second season— despite last season turning into a debacle that saw recreational, with a gold rush mentality, exceed their intended allowance by eight times!

On a positive note, the minister has taken

vulnerable and that a full environmental reset hasn’t settled yet. However, this and doesn’t address the devil that should be in the detail. The minister is working on in February on daily bag authorised free harvest tool, and other suggestions from

All that has been submissions to avoid Easter. starts 5 January and ends

are governed by far more

as possible so they are out of the water by the their quota, they get pinged ‘deemed value’, i.e. they pay a penalty of two time

stage, daily bag limit, but it’s a joke: for example, 50 āua

5 pā slaughter. Compound this with the fragile biology of pā

main species of abalone, green and blacklip, with each having two di erent size limits. I reckon this is a more sensible approach than our one size fits all, from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga.

Tasmania is a beautiful part of the world. Not really like New Zealand and yet sort of familiar. I’m certainly planning to go back and taking diving gear to check out whether greenlip abalone is really tastier than pāua, like the locals claim!

an advantage? Not really. requires them to spread season has been allowed is weather doesn’t play ball. They have also undertaken to prefer, diving further offshore and deeper.

www.dinghysandoutboards.co.nz

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS