Blue Cod CALL FOR ACTION

Call for Cod Compromise By Daryl Crimp

The Blue Cod Management Plan, introduced by Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley, has fallen foul of recreational fishers, and if passed into law in its current form, is likely to generate an unprecedented backlash.

As it stands, one key aspect of the plan makes it unjust, unworkable and unacceptable to recreational fishers. Prior to reopening the fishery, the minister said the management plan had to be easily understood, simple to implement and easy for MFish to administer. For it to work, MFish also needs buy-in from rec fishers.

Based on feedback received by The Fishing Paper, aspects of this plan score low on both counts and we predict poor buy-in, widespread public dissent and a potential compliance nightmare for the ministry if it is adopted without modification.

The key bones of contention centre on the slot fishery and the no transit rule that effectively stops domiciled Sounds fishers from targeting larger blue cod outside the management area and returning home with a decent feed.

The 50mm band of the slot fishery is so narrow that it is impractical and completely unreasonable. I recently held a meeting with Martyn Barlow, President of TasFish, and Geoff Rowling, President of the NZ Recreational Fishing Council, to see if there was a compromise that would make this more palatable to rec fishers, while still satisfying the goal to rebuild the fishery.

We suggest the minister immediately remove the slot fishery from the plan and introduce a minimum legal size of 33cm for blue cod in the entire Challenger East region (Farewell Spit to Clarence River). The MLS would bring us into line with the commercial sector and rec fishers would still be able to catch reasonable sized cod without compromising the no-transit rule.

We feel that the collective outcomes of the other measures in the management plan are enough to meet its objectives. We have requested a meeting with the minister but to date have received no indication if he's willing. I have also requested interviews to put questions to him for an article in the paper and to have him on my radio show but have had no response at the time of going to press.

We need your help to send a clear message to Phil Heatley that he has got it wrong and this slot fishery is unacceptable. We have made it super easy for you to respond so ACT NOW! Check out the email link below and make your voice count.

Doing nothing is not an option.

Blue Cod CALL FOR ACTION

The current proposed blue cod management plan is unjust, unworkable and unacceptable to recreational fishers.

We propose a sensible pragmatic and modest compromise to make this management plan workable.

Your input is vital

Email the Minister of Fisheries at phil.heatley@parliament.govt.nz and Cc to cod@thefishingpaper.co.nz, by copying and pasting the following request:

Dear Minister,

I request you remove the slot fishery regulation from The Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod Management Plan and implement a blue cod minimum legal size (MLS) of 33cm throughout Challenger East. We urge you to accept the request for a meeting with Geoff Rowling, Martyn Barlow and Daryl Crimp, to discuss the above.

Regards, (your name)

To make this easy click the link below to email the blue cod request to the minister, and a copy to The Fishing Paper.

» Click to email blue cod request «

  Download blue cod call for action