Fishing industry representative body Seafood New Zealand welcomes the amended Tīkapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill (the Bill) passing its third reading in the House.
In light of additional data on small-scale fishing, and to ensure continued supply of healthy, affordable protein to local Auckland communities and marae, the Bill's amendments preserve limited access for low-impact ring net fishing in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Total protected seafloor increased from 27% to 37%, a move that aims to support restoration of the mauri of the Gulf.
Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive Lisa Futschek says, "We applaud this acknowledgement of the importance of balancing environmental objectives with the needs of local communities for quality, affordable protein.
"Ring net fishing is a low-impact type of fishing that involves around half a dozen very small commercial boats - smaller, in some cases, than recreational ones. The fishers set and haul their nets by hand, and there is little opportunity to catch anything other than the fish species they are targeting. These fishers are supplying fish to Kiwis in local communities.
"We are keen now to see real action to address all the activities affecting the health of the Gulf. An average 3,726 tonnes of nitrogen are discharged into the Firth of Thames each year. This degree of discharge has not changed substantially in over 20 years. Monitoring sediment in the Gulf has shown that only 38% of studied sites have good or better benthic health."
Futschek is urging parties to come together to cooperate for the health of the Gulf, and to place science, not sensationalism, at the centre of the decision-making process.
"We all rely on a healthy Hauraki Gulf. This area is a taonga, and for fishers who are out there everyday, we want it to be a resource that endures into the future as a food basket for the Auckland region. We are committed to working cooperatively to protect our moana and to make sure all Kiwis have ongoing access to healthy seafood."
Notes:
- 30% of New Zealand's ocean space has already been designed as marine protected areas. These areas, which typically have high levels of ocean biodiversity, are closed to trawling.
