NZBGFC News
Apr/May 2007 edition
White Pointers
Come the 1st April 2007 white pointer sharks will be fully protected in NZ’s EEZ and in open waters from targeting by NZ flagged vessels. The new regulation under the Wildlife Act has been brought in by the government in response to conservation calls and follows other countries like Australia who already protect white pointer sharks. Under the regulation it will be illegal to hunt, kill or harm white pointers and to possess or trade any part of the fish. Maximum fines are hefty at $250,000 with up to six months imprisonment possible.
While NZ anglers seldom have caught white pointers on conventional and recognized game tackle these have occurred in the past with smaller fish. Under the new regulations should a recreational angler accidentally catch and kill a white pointer they will not be prosecuted provided they register the death with authorities. This could happen with mistaken identity for a smaller fish or a fish caught in recreational set nets.
It is of coincidental interest that while we see the government and conservationists rave on their obligations, scarcity and the majestic beauty of white pointers that we have a NZ leading shark expert Clinton Duffy warning beachgoers to beware of shark attacks due to increasing trends and two recent encounters off the northland coast of 300kg plus, white pointers.
Swordfish
In a surprised announcement the Minister of Fisheries Jim Anderton has put several restrictions on commercial fishers for swordfish in NZ. He has closed the northern fishery in the Kermadec area to all surface long-lining and forced night setting only in all other areas. This was his response to independent observers recording in his words “an unacceptable level of albatross deaths”. Also recorded was the capture but live release of two critically endangered leatherback turtles which caused the shut down of the Hawaiian surface long-line fishing operations. The drastic measures are in force for three months while options are discussed for longer term mitigation methods with the commercial fishing fleets. Swordfish were only recently introduced into the commercial quota management system in October 2004 which then enabled commercial fishers to legally target swordfish.
Law Changes
The fisheries minister has not been out of the news for long when he announced another shock to the commercial fishing industry. The minister stated he was drafting law changes to the Fisheries Act that would allow him to act more cautiously when he makes decisions on issues such as quota amounts and allowable catch limits. Minister Anderton stated that the present Act was too ambiguous and didn’t allow a cautious approach to be taken. He went on to state that the government loses 3 out of 4 legal challenges it faces in this area as courts demand absolute scientific proof of what would happen if changes were not made and admitted this was difficult to give. He said “My intention is to amend the Act so decision makers are required, in circumstances where information is uncertain or limited, to act cautiously so as to ensure sustainability”. He expects a bill to be drafted and passed through parliament in time for an October 2007 introduction.
It is a move that should be welcomed by the NZBGFC and recreational anglers who have been advocating for some time the need for a more cautious approach when managing species with uncertain science. There will however be likely renewed pressure for recreational anglers to take a proportional drop on any species reduction measures under the MFish proportional doctrine it follows. A doctrine recreational anglers fiercely dispute as being inequitable due to past allocation mechanisms.
Soft Plastic Baits
Over the past year we have seen a dramatic change in use of soft plastic baits in New Zealand by recreational fishers for all the popular species sought by them. The plastic baits have for some time been available in the USA but were slow to catch on here as anglers stuck to their tried and true baits or jigging methods. This was not helped by the fact that to maximize your success with soft plastic baits anglers needed new light weight rods and expensive braid line. Conversion gained popularity when those who had made the change fished along side their companions using regular baits and often fished as well if not better than their mates. Several TV fishing shows had also featured the soft plastic baits which assisted to convert anglers with the right techniques and equipment to use.
There are still many to be convinced and the change does not come without some draw backs. Soft bait fishing is more active as the bait needs to be kept moving and not suitable for those who like to leave their rods inactive, in the rod holders or fish several baited rods at once. The braided line also needs special knots and will quickly cut through any monofilament line that it runs over belonging to other fishers nearby. Caution also needs to be used when seeking records as the line is difficult to test and has a reputation for breaking above the stated line strength on the spool. The soft bait technique is not entirely fish bait free in that a good berly trail is just as important as with regular fishing methods. If the current rate of change to the use of soft plastic baits is maintained then within a year or so we will see the method over take conventional bait use.
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