Submission: Review of sustainability measures for PAU3A & 3B for 2021/22

Addressed to Inshore Fisheries Management, Fisheries New Zealand, FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz on 27 July 2021

Introduction

Fish Mainland is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to coordinate and assist the South Island marine fishing community in restoring and sustaining fisheries resources for the benefit of all who fish in South Island waters.

Fish Mainland is a member-based organisation. The Members have democratic control over the organisation through the power to nominate, elect and remove Regional Directors of the Board. Also, the South Island Mandated Iwi Organisations can appoint and remove two other Directors. The Board appoints two more Directors and an independent Chair of the Board. Elected and appointed Directors of the Board demonstrate Fish Mainland’s mandate to represent recreational fishers.

Fish Mainland supports the work that Te Korowai and the Kaikōura Marine Guardians undertake to ensure the Kaikōura Marine Area and surrounding areas are sustainably managed for current and future generations.

Submission

Fish Mainland agrees with the Kaikōura Marine Guardians who advised that a precautionary and adaptive management approach would need to be taken to reopen the pāua fishery, and that was the strong message that Te Korowai received from the local community (e.g., constrain the level of fishing effort and catch, gather information, monitor the fishery carefully and effectively, and regularly review and adjust management settings).

Regarding PAU3A, Option 2 is more aligned with this approach and trialling a much-preferred shortened opening in 2021/22. We strongly support this option. We also support Option 1 for PAU3B.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input into these important and significant decisions.

Yours sincerely,

James Crossland

Chair of the Board