Snapper 1 TAC review 2013

DECISION: APPROVED

Introduction

On 12 July 2013 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) released their proposed controls for the future management of Snapper 1. Submissions were due by 23 August 2013.

This process was expected to attract a large response due to the popularity of snapper on the northeast coast of the North Island. It is the largest recreational fishery in New Zealand. Snapper is a taonga (treasure) for Māori customary interests and a valuable component of the inshore commercial fishery.

In its response, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) acknowledged this review process was not about sustainability, as the fishery was rebuilding; it was about allocation – how much fish the Minister must set aside to ‘allow for’ our public interests in Snapper 1, and how many tonnes is allocated to commercial quota holders.

The NZSFC objected to MPI’s management proposals as all options were based on the public accepting a fixed, proportional share of the available fish, the Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

The NZSFC submitted in support of an increase to the allowance set aside for recreational interests, a technical adjustment in acknowledgement of what the public has been catching since the last stock review in 1997.

Decision

On 17 September the Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy announced a range of measures that will affect both recreational and commercial fishers.

As of 1 April 2014, the individual recreational daily bag limit will reduce from 9 to 7, and the minimum legal size will increase from 27 cm to 30 cm.

This represents a 22% reduction in access for individuals. There is no change to the 4500 tonne Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC).

The NZSFC’s reaction to this decision is captured in this LegaSea media release ‘Snapper decision falls short’.

Strategy Group

Following the Minister’s decision the NZSFC and other interests were invited to participate in a Snapper 1 Strategy Group to consider what the target management stock level ought to be, the timeframe to rebuild Snapper 1 to achieve that target level, the research requirements, and allocation of the available catch.

MPI was seeking two representatives from the commercial, Māori customary and recreational sectors. A letter from MPI was received on 6 November, with nominations due by 17 November 2013.

SOS Save Our Snapper campaign

LegaSea spearheaded the SOS Save Our Snapper campaign for the NZSFC in 2013. The campaign was dedicated to raising public awareness and generating submissions in response to the MPI proposals for the future management of Snapper 1.

Over 47,000 submissions were sent to the Minister and MPI by their 4pm deadline on 23 August 2013. More than 95% of the submissions were sent via the LegaSea website. And, over 365,000 emails were sent to people’s local MPs, the Minister and officials during the August campaign.

The SOS campaign is the most successful campaign launched by the NZSFC. The LegaSea team was successful in highlighting the issue in multimedia forums, at public meetings, online and in political circles.

It is unfortunate that, due to the passage of time, some information has been lost along the way however, much of the public awareness initiatives have been captured below.

Relevant information

2013

MPI Process

Official Information Act process

To inform the final Snapper 1 submission the NZSFC asked MPI for several historic documents, including a Ministry trawl mortality survey report that was finalised by August 1994 but never released to the public. The documents requested: Snapper 1 Management Plan 1997, SNA 1 Minister’s decision letter for 1 October 1997 & Snapper 1 trawl mortality survey report c 1993-94. 24 July 2013.

Submissions

2013-16

Snapper 1 Strategy Group

In early November 2013 MPI advised the NZSFC of their intention to establish a small, representative group to work together over the next 18 months to consider a range of issues relating to Snapper 1. The chair of the group would be Sir Ian Barker, an experienced arbiter and legal mind. The NZSFC was advised that two members from each sector, commercial, customary and recreational would be selected from the nominations received. The following is a collection of documents related to this SNA1 Strategy Group process, the most recent document is at the top of the list.

2013-15

SOS Save Our Snapper campaign

Events

LegaSea public meeting Te Atatu Boating Club. LegaSea presentation to more than 100 people. LegaSea presentation followed by a brief talk from Labour’s fisheries spokesperson David Cunliffe, and local MP Phil Twyford. Lively Q & A session with good media coverage. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. 21 August 2013.

Editors rally Bucklands Beach Yacht Club. Panel discussion by 11 interest group representatives, including 3 from LegaSea, 3 commercial fishers, and magazine editors of NZ Fishing World, Bay Fisher and NZ Fishing News. They were joined by Phil Heatley, ex fisheries Minister, and David Cunliffe, Labour’s fisheries spokesperson. Lively Q & A session with good media coverage. 20 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting, Albany, Auckland. LegaSea presentation to around 120 people. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. Presentation followed by a brief presentation by Labour’s fisheries spokesperson David Cunliffe. Interesting Q & A session. 19 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Bays Club, Browns Bay Auckland. LegaSea presentation to 40 people. Submissions gathered and people encouraged to recruit family and friends to submit. LegaSea presentation followed by some lively questions. 15 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Mahurangi College, Warkworth. Brief presentation by local National MP. LegaSea discussion followed by an interesting Q & A session. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. 14 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting, Bowentown, Bay of Plenty LegaSea presentation to over 100 people. Submissions gathered. LegaSea presentation followed by a Q & A session. Good support from locals. 13 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Toll Stadium Whangarei. LegaSea presentation to over 500 people. Submissions gathered and merch sold. LegaSea presentation followed by a lively Q & A session. Good media coverage. 13 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting at Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi, Kaikohe. LegaSea presentation to around 95 people. Submissions gathered. Resolution from the meeting, “We the undersigned (85) who attended the public meeting held at Te Runanga A Iwi O Ngapuhi on August 12th 2013 agree to support the NZSFC Snapper 1 policy dated October 2012”. LegaSea presentation followed by a lively Q & A session. Local media coverage. 12 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Central Baptist Church, Hamilton. LegaSea presentation to around 350 people. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. LegaSea presentation followed by brief presentations from Labour’s fisheries spokesperson David Cunliffe and local MP David Bennett. Lively Q & A session with good TV and print media coverage. 8 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Thames High School. LegaSea presentation to more than 200 people. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. Motion moved and carried unanimously, “we do not accept a proportional share that will inevitably lead to our children losing a meaningful fishing experience. We do not accept the globilisation, privatisation and corporatisation of our assets”. 7 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Tauranga Yacht Club, Sulphur Point. LegaSea presentation to more than 250 people. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. Good TV and print media coverage before and after the event. 6 August 2013.

LegaSea public meeting Whakatane Sportfishing Club. Presentation to more than 400 people. Submissions gathered and merchandise sold. Interesting points raised during the Q& A session. Good media coverage of the event. 5 August 2013.

Save Our Snapper campaign launch. Online. Submission summary and online submission tool made available to the public. Supporting information supplied online and released to the media. 2 August 2013.

MPI drop-in meeting, Tauranga. The last of 4 public information sessions by MPI was held at the Coastguard Building, Sulphur Point, Tauranga. Several hundred people attended. NZSFC & LegaSea volunteers were in attendance to share information with the public. 1 August 2013.

MPI drop-in meeting, Parnell Auckland. Several hundred people attended the MPI Snapper 1 public information session at the Quality Hotel in Parnell, Auckland. TV crews and magazine journalists recorded the chaos. NZSFC & LegaSea volunteers were in attendance to share information with the public. 31 July 2013.

MPI drop-in meeting. Several hundred people attended the public information session at the Old Library in Rust Ave, Whangarei. MPI were overwhelmed by the response, many people left as the venue was inadequate for the crowd, and unsuitable to enable people to get close to MPI staff and ask meaningful questions. NZSFC and LegaSea volunteers were in attendance to share information with the public. 25 July 2013.

MPI meeting, drop-in. North Harbour. Around 15 people attended the Ministry’s Snapper 1 drop-in information session at North Harbour Stadium in Albany North Shore. A quiet night. 24 July 2013.

Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show organisers gift LegaSea a stand so the team can meet with thousands of people wanting to discuss fisheries management, marine protection and policy. Snapper and marlin were the hot topics over the 4-day event. 16 to 19 May 2013.