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I am Janette Walker your Labour candidate. I have been a recreational

fisher all my life. As a kid my family relied on the sea for our food. As an

adult my preference was for surf casting and deep sea fishing. I

understand the importance recreational fishing has for all of you in this

room.

There can be no question there are tensions when managing a marine

environment. Multiple parties all have a stake in the management of

Fisheries. Recreational fishers play an integral part of any strategic plan

developed, to best manage what is at times an over taxed marine resource.

Approximately 31% of New Zealanders engage in recreational fishing.

Fisheries are a common property resource.

My vision for the future of recreational fishing is that all new Zealanders

enjoy the benefit of a healthy and diverse marine ecosystem.

One of the major issues for recreational fisher management is addressing over

fishing and re building of stocks.

The healthier and more abundant fish population the better the recreational

experience.

There is also an important economic impact. Local communities benefit from

healthy recreational marine environments.

I consider there are three important aspects of managing a recreational

marine resource.

● Improving the science and management of recreational species and

their habitats.

● Communication with recreational fishers and their involvement in the

management process.

● Promotion of marine stewardship.

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One of my goals and responsibilities as your future Labour MP, is

to initiate and develop a strategic plan for the Marine environment

in particular the Marlborough Sounds.

There are many industries businesses and communities that rely on the

Sounds being a healthy vibrant coastal environment .

The question I put to you all is?

What picture would you draw of the Marlborough Sounds in 20 years

time given the current management?

Would you be happy with your picture ?

The picture I see, is a slowly degrading marine environment.

There is no overall plan for the future below the sea and above it.

This National government has failed to have any strategic vision for the

Marlborough marine environment.

Beaches are silted up from land degradation, sea bed and rocky breeding

areas are disappearing, kelp beds are being damaged by Kina over population,

forestry is being planted right to the shoreline, no coastal native forest buffers

are being established, and clear felling are just a few areas of concern.

Not forgetting issues around depleted fish stocks, competing commercial and

recreational interests.

The objectives to developing a strategic plan are:

● Evaluation and identifying areas for improvement.

● Developing better effective management tools such as bag limits, size

limits area closures. The current Blue Cod regulations illustrate clearly

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what happens when inappropriate and ill considered management tools

are put in place.

● Make the fisheries management process more open and accessible to

the public.

● Reduce by catch and discard mortality. It is estimated fishers release

approx. 60% of the fish they catch.

● Improve compliance with fisheries regulation

I just want to focus on a couple of initiatives that I feel warrant serious

consideration for recreational fishers in terms of developing a strategic

plan.

The first is a recreational fishers licence.

We already have various licences for fish and game in this country. ( approx.

104,000 fish and game licences sold last year at around $120)

There is a need for financial resources to be directed towards the management

of recreational fisheries.

Having a recreational fishing licence fee would allow recreational fishers to

have a greater say and control in the management of the fisheries.

A licence would fund :

Recreational research, to support and influence decision making processes

Provide funds for developing recreational fishing areas and no take zones

Develop community based educational programmes

Investment in breeding fish stocks. and

Investment in sustainable fishing practices.

A recreational licence would empower the recreational fishing industries

to focus on strategies for their own future enjoyment.

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The second proposition relates to Improving the science and

management of recreational species and their habitats.

There is an obvious need to increase the fish habitat in the Sounds plus other

areas in NZ.

The installation of artificial reefs would serve to provide a safe environment for

fish to breed.

Making use of artificial reefs is a useful tool restoring damaged sea floor and

reef systems.

There are numerous examples worldwide of artificial reefs installations

Put simply: the more biologically complex the marine habitat the more fish.

My vision for the future of recreational fishing as stated before, is that

all New Zealanders enjoy the benefit of a healthy and diverse marine

ecosystem.

The Marlborough Sounds is the blue highway into this region.

You as recreational fishers have an important role to play in any future

strategy. It is central government’s role to provide the necessary

framework to facilitate a shared strategic vision, benefitting all so we

can all enjoy the special and unique environment we live in, for now and

in the future for generations to come.

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Before I finish I will just touch on lightly my recommendations for the

Management of Blue Cod

● Abolish the slot rule

● Abolish the transit rule

● Minimum legal size 38 cm increasing to 40 in 10 years as breeding stock

replenishes

● Bag limit 2: review in 5 years

● Scientific fish data collection 2 yearly

● Commercial and recreational closure during breeding season

● Establish community elected members of Blue cod management group

representing the region

The first four recommendations would be carried out under a Labour led government by the end of

the year.