"Well done to Kerry Butler for his well thought out letter regards the decline of the Hawkes Bay gurnard fishery. This is a topic that has been on the minds of many keen fisherman both off shore and land based in the area. As a member of the Pania Surfcasting Club and a Central Hawkes Bay resident it is certainly a matter of some frustration for me, particularly given the outright failure of the authorities to either recognise or take decisive action regards this issue.

Five years ago landing a gurnard was a pretty common place event for capable surfcaster. Bag limits could even be achieved in certain areas with a bit of skill. But steadily over the years there has been a decline in numbers, to the point where one or two gurnard at a club weigh in appears to be the norm. Of course many possible reasons abound, changes in weather patterns, colder sea temperatures, changes in currents and most recently a claim by one seafood merchant that the rise in seal numbers is to blame.

What claptrap! Every one sees the trawlers smashing the coastline day after day after day. Ive spoken to commercial fisherman who tell me how easy it is to pinpoint gurnard and hammer them. It shouldnt take a rocket scientist or any scientist for that matter to figure this is behind the drastic drop in numbers. Maybe there to busy saving there jobs in the new Super Ministry to care. Regardless someone is not doing there job properly and needs to be called to account.

I don't care how much big business pays for its quota, they have no right to destroy a fishery for profit. And frankly quota payments are nothing compared to the massive haul the politicians take in taxes to support there fat and somewhat overblown salaries. That alone gives you and I the right to catch a few fish and expect the unreserved correct and proper management of our fishery. Except nothing less and dont be afraid to let those in power know. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you."

Now you can all pile in and tell me I'm wrong.

I dont read any insults in that at all, infact I feel thats pretty bloody accurate to be fair, my thoughts exactly. Fact of life, we all work hard, some are just paid more and take the piss.

"Priorities are not driven on a minority", this is where we in NZ fall over, its all about the money, stuff its residents, and the fishery, show me the money seems to be the attitude. I don't care how many fancy words are used to disguise this, its simply a fact, or we would not be in this position.

Gurnard stocks have dropped to an unbelievably low level, it is diffinitly a large concern. It was at one time considered a bread and butter fish, at this rate, it's reaching myth status at a rapid rate.

I still catch a few, but over the past 4 years the decline has been unreal.