Sound research vital to managing fisheries

Knowledge of the population dynamics of individual saltwater fish species is vital to implementing sound and effective management of the sea fisheries.

In Marlborough, the blue cod has been the central focus of management. However the effectiveness of that management has been very doubtful because knowledge of the population dynamics of blue cod was – and still is – only hazy.

It was in 2007 that Labour’s then fisheries minister Jim Anderton introduced a ban on recreational blue cod fishing. Initially he attempted to ban all recreational fishing in the Marlborough Sounds but strong vocal opposition from the Marlborough Recreational Fishers Association caused him to pull back and apply the ban to only blue cod.

Anderton failed to consult with the Marlborough recreational fishing public. Instead for some unknown reason, he consulted with a Motueka-based recreational angler who at the time was president of the NZ Recreational Fishing Council (NZRFC).

The NZRFC gave its nod of approval and the ban was in, based on samples by way of cod-potting, showing a crisis with blue cod. It was a false picture.

The cod-potting samples were poorly sited and very random. In addition September was probably the wrong month to sample as according to an experienced local commercial fisherman, the late Ted Collins, sexually mature blue cod move out of the Sounds to spawn somewhere around Cape Campbell during August, September, perhaps spilling over into October.

I use the word ‘‘probably’’ and ‘‘somewhere’’ to indicate no-one really knew or knows. But given the paucity of knowledge, the best advice would come from somebody like the said experienced and respected figure of the late Ted Collins who had a lifetime – and plus – of commercial fishing locally.

The Anderton ban came in, based on the poor NIWA research. Then followed frustrating months and years for the Marlborough Recreational Fishers Association (MRFA) attempting to get the Ministry of Fisheries and ministers of fisheries to see the injustice of only banning recreational fishing and the lack of justification for the ban.

Meetings with the National-led government’s first minister Phil Heatley showed encouraging promise. Heatley, himself a recreational fisherman, was engaging and interested and attentive. Then out of the blue, he was inexplicably removed as minister and replaced by David Carter.

It took MRFA several months of endeavour to get an appointment. When one did eventuate, the threeperson MRFA delegation came away under-whelmed.

The ministry in its lack of wisdom brought in a slot rule where only cod 30cm-35cm could be taken by recreational. The slot rule was a disaster, as cod in the 30-35cm range are the allimportant breeding females. Anglers were being forced to kill the breeders.

Then Carter was removed as minister and in came Nathan Guy. Another delegation went to talk to the new minister and officials. A little progress, but disappointingly still inadequate, was made.

The pity is the ministry has apparently no better knowledge in 2017 than in 2007.

Eventually in 2015 the illconceived slot rule was abandoned leaving in its wake thousands of fish dead after release and breeding females taken home for dining. The NZ Sport Fishing Council commented on the announced changes: ‘‘It is concerning that the 70 tonne commercial catch limit remains intact while recreational fishers continue to bear the brunt of management changes.’’

Remember Anderton’s blue cod ban came into force in 2007. Ten years later the Ministry of Fisheries, now absorbed into the Ministry of Primary Industries, appears to have not carried out any meaningful research into when and where blue cod spawn. Management is still based on guesswork and assumptions by bureaucrats in Wellington.

A ban on all blue cod fishing – except for customary – for the Marlborough Sounds now applies to the months of September to December 20. The pity is the ministry has apparently no better knowledge in 2017 than in 2007.

It would seem, based on local anecdotal experience, the months of August and September and perhaps to October 20 would make much, more sense, for a closure, unless credible research defines exactly when and where blue cod spawn. And if they do spawn off the east coast and not in the Sounds then is a ban for the Sounds justified at all?

MRFA are strong advocates for conservation of stocks and an eye to tomorrow. A closed season August to October 20 – until sound, credible research gives that vital knowledge – should remain.

The history that in 10 long years, the ministry has no significant greater knowledge is an indictment of the mismanagement, not necessarily deliberately, but out of ignorance of facts.