Hi Hangler

I will do my best to answer your question. In the days of MAF, there was a large MAF Fisheries office in Nelson. I was a member of a committee (Representing Buller) that met regularly with MAF staff. To discuss all aspects of fishy things. We came to use their language and understand it. Bio Mass,sustainability,the quota system, and lots of other funny fishy words. They listened to us, and accepted our comments on a declining fishery.

We were the fishermen, and they were the guardians of our fishery. So we had good dialogue with them. Ok we didn't get to move heaven and earth overnight. Like all things, good things and change takes time. We didn't just rave on and criticize. We offered solution's, and they listened. These Advisory Committees were set up in each region throughout NZ. I am aware that some in the North Island really just turned into slanging matches. Fishermen V MAF.

Each year there was a National Meeting, usually held in the North Island. We would send two or three representatives to that meeting.(MAF paid all expenses). Our members were quite dismayed at the attitude of some of the North Island members at that National Meeting. Where the MAF representatives were abused, criticized and held in low regard. In other words a Shit Fight, excuse my language.

On our committee, there were some very astute people. We just worked quietly and positively with MAF.

I guess that this approach ultimately paid off. As we gained the ear of the Minister of Fisheries at the time. And were able to enter into dialogue with him. Not me personally, but reps from our committee, those from the fishing industry, and of course MAF staffers. I am reminded of a saying that a very good friend of mine imparted on me.
He happens to be an American, now naturalized. He was told this by his grandfather. " You catch more flys with honey than vinegar" but at times you may have to play hardball". I myself have kinda lived by that saying. And trust me it works.

The Fishing Club in Blenheim are very pro-active. As is the Nelson one. And when the Blue Cod saga was alive and well, they approached it in a very positive attitude. Ultimately a Blue Cod Advisory group was set up. And eventually a compromise was met and put in place. That is what positive and reasoned argument can bring about. Get the Commercial Fishing industry to listen to you and understand their concerns. After all it is their livelihood and they rely on it for income, and employment. In doing so, they will listen to us, and accept and understand our views.

The end result is shown in the rather amazing competition results at Mokihinui and the Nelson pics from Ron. I might add, he rang me and said as he didn't want to rub salt in the wound, he cropped out the tub or two full of snapper. And yep, they didn't have anymore than their quota. allowed. Nelson itself is more of a boat fishing place, than surfcasting, so we can forgive Ron for having a boat. He just comes down here to Buller and poaches our snapper and Rig .

Well I hope that answers your question Hangler. I have given it my best shot. I might add, the Blenheim Fishing Club was very good at getting media coverage with reasoned dialogue that the general public can liken too and understand. And of course Politicians read papers too. Its not a them and us, thing when it comes to declining fish stocks, the fishing industry feels it too. So it becomes a " we" thing. I might add, "The Fishing Industry does have a few pirates who continually break the rules. And I see one or two are quite active up your way. Down here in the South Island, they seem to be like Moa's, bloody hard to find, if indeed they actually exist. And us shore based folks also have our pirates, mainly in the shell fish gathering side of things. The Fisheries Officers, mainly volunteers, do a great job over on the Kaikoura Coast, with policing Crays and paua's. And of course we have Pirate Boaties, I am not being parochial here, but most of that activity seems to be from the North Island, going by what I watch on the Tele and read in the papers, and it seems to be race based, and I am not being racist there, just quoting it as I see it.

Much like Kontiki Fishermen and Surf Casters. Kontiki Fishermen do not really impact on our fishery, they are one to two kilometres off shore, and I can;t cast that far.. I am a close inshore fisherman. The only time I get a little bit grumpy is when they set their Kontiki line through the hole I want to fish. And it may be the only hole on my area of beach. They can set anywhere and catch fish. My only chance is that nice hole, that will be holding fish.

When the Mokihinui organizers, bought the Kontiki Section in. My first reaction was, that is not sport fishing. Not much skill involved. But then I came to think. Well they still have to contend with drift and the other perils of Kontiki Fishing and the dreaded snag and have to break the line, bye bye a few thousand dollars. And sharks biting through the line, another bye bye.

The Mokihinui Competition is run by one Westport Family, the Murphy's, it has run for years and is very popular, good prizes too. The Murphy"s are both Surf Casters and Kontiki users.

The only gripe I have with the Competition is that the Major Prize, $1000.00, which of course is for the heaviest Fish overall, includes sting rays. A Sting Ray always wins it. I would be somewhat upset, if say I landed a 20lb plus snapper only to be outdone by a Ray. Wouldn't mind being beaten by a Rig, (Your Lemon Fish or smooth hound and many other names). In my view, there should be a separate Sting Ray Section. And what does sadden me just a tad, is that those big Rays, are being caught for a prize and not the table. After weighing they are dumped. A sad end to a fish, that has lived for many years and bothered no-one.

Right time to go mow the lawn.

Cheers Trev aka " Hardy"