The cuts apply to the snapper one fishery which stretches from the top of the North Island to BOP. There is concern its a blueprint that over time will be applied to the rest of the country.

The snapper fishery has actually increased in biomass in this area in last few years to the point where it has reached MPI targets, however there is concern that this is not sustainable in the long term and so MPI want to boost snapper stocks to about 40% of biomass. Currently the snapper stocks sit at around 20% in the two key areas of Snapper 1.

The MPI believe that recreational fishers are taking 3365 tonnes per year which is more than there allocated quota of 2600 tonnes. Because of this MPI believes that recreational fishers should bear the brunt of any cuts in overall quota. This means a reduction in both bag limits and an increased size imit from 27 to 35cm. This guestimate of quota reduction appears to be based on two aerial surveys and follow up boat ramp surveys of an unknown percentage sample of the boats counted at sea. This research could be seen as very questionable given its lack of robustness.

There is growing anger that commercial and customary interests will not be required to take any cuts. Another key concern to those protesting is that there is AT LEAST an estimated 450 tonnes of fish mortality largely caused by commercial fishing practices that are damaging the juvenile snapper population. Both MPI and the commercial sector are ignoring this in there calculations and are not proposing any solutions to reduce this loss of population that appears to have a dramatic overall effect on biomass.

No ones arguing there shouldnt be cuts, just that the cuts get evenly shared through all sectors.

As far as snapper in HB are concerned, it depends where you fish. Around Mahia bag limits are achievable at certain times of the year. Around Napier snapper get caught regularly on certain beaches but not in huge numbers. Depends on the spot, tiem of year, the type of fishing you use and the quality of fisherman. The most Ive ever caught on rods at one time is 5 and that was about 5 years ago. Usually I pick up 1 or 2 per outing during Feb to April if I'm lucky. Varies from year to year.
I also hear a lot of stories from the Bay View Kon tiki brigade of lines full of snapper in Feb, March, April. But who knows....