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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 governments 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.