Fishing guide licences would be a step forward

I AGREE in principle with the licensing of guides, but would like a provision for the removal of a licence for any guide who arranges exclusive access to waters which were once open to all. The licensing of guides should be a Fish and Game responsibility. Stuart Greenshields

Tauranga

OTAGO Fish and Game Council’s support for the urgent implementation of the guide’s licence (ODT, 13.11.17) is based on sound management requirements, namely:

1. All those people working legally as professional fishing guides will be known to Fish and Game councils.

2. Commercial guides will contribute financially to Fish and Game management costs for their guiding activities.

3. Fish and Game councils will be able to directly consult guides on relevant management issues as they arise and viceversa.

4. Guides and their clients can be routinely surveyed about their fishing success and satisfaction.

There are challenges in managing overall pressure on sports fisheries, including some relating to the tourism boom and illicit guiding activity. The guide’s licence is not an end in itself but an essential part of any management framework.

The delays in establishing supporting regulations for the guide’s licence have been a frustration but Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage’s welcoming response to the idea of fresh proposals from the New Zealand Fish and Game Council is most encouraging.

Niall Watson Chief executive, Otago Fish and

Game Council

Correspondents are reminded that we do not publish letters which have been sent to other newspapers, publications or other people. — Editor

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BIBLE READING: Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. — Romans 3:20.