Fishing methods cause worry
Recreational fishermen in the Bay of Islands are concerned about the sustainability of fish numbers due to large-scale commercial fishing in the area.
Kerikeri fisherman Doug Kinnon reported seeing three giant commercial boats using spotter planes and a helicopter to locate schools of fish, before releasing dye into the water and finally hauling on board fish from a school he estimated was around 10 acres in size.
He says he was amazed at the effectiveness of one of Talleys’ commercial boats, Capt MJ Souza, and its operation off the coast of Whangaroa Harbour on January 31. The original Facebook post by Kinnon voicing his concerns has been shared 2500 times, with close to 1000 comments.
Talleys general manager Tony Hazlett says the Captain Souza targets skipjack tuna, and a helicopter is a tool used by the vessel and many others like it around the world.
‘‘This fish is a highly sustainable, sought after and valuable food protein consumed in New Zealand and around the world.’’
When questioned about the use of the fluorescein dye, Hazlett said this was also common practice. ‘‘It is a non hazardous product that easily and readily disperses.’’
Kinnon said he did not see how these operations are sustainable. He had not missed a game fishing season since 1998, and had never seen a commercial operation like this. ‘‘That’s not to say they weren’t there but suddenly the fishing has got good and these guys turn up.’’
The Ministry for Primary Industries monitors commercial fishing operations. The Russell Open Aquarium Group has been following the activity of commercial fishing in Northland for several years.
Group member Gary Morris said they had voiced their concerns with the Northland Regional Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries - which found its use to be legal.
Morris said he has also raised concerns about the likelihood of untargeted species being caught in the large nets used by the commercial boats. Skipjack tuna (which Talleys was targeting) has no quota allocation.
NRC spokesman Ricky Eyre said the council hasn’t received complaints this year, but investigated this issue in 2015 and found that there were no adverse effects.