Fishing cameras draw criticism
The fishing industry says a Government plan to put cameras on board commercial fishing vessels has been ‘‘driven by a level of hysteria around discarding’’ fish.
Stuff has seen an industry letter sent to the Government this month expressing ‘‘real concerns about the use of cameras without understanding what their purpose is’’.
In June, Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash confirmed he would push ahead with plans to put cameras on commercial fishing boats.
He hoped to put a proposal to ministers this month, but needed to get agreement from NZ First and the Greens.
But the letter – written by Andrew Talley of Talley’s Group and leaked to Stuff – says the Government is ‘‘jumping to a heavyhanded solution without actually understanding the cause’’.
Discarding fish would ‘‘continue to happen, cameras or no cameras, while the current policy settings remain unchanged’’, the letter says.
Talley acknowledged the letter and said he stood by it.
The family-owned fishery company was the second highest donor at last year’s election, funding candidates from three different political parties.
The company doled out $49,000 to 10 politicians. NZ First MP Shane Jones was the biggest winner, getting $10,000 from Talley’s.
In June, Nash said he was hoping to get NZ First on board with the idea. ‘‘We must work together,’’ he said.
But with Jones and NZ First’s outspoken opposition to cameras, it could put the coalition in a tangle.
Discarding will continue to happen, cameras or no cameras, while the current policy settings remain unchanged, Talley wrote.
‘‘[Cameras] don’t recognise or address in any way why we are catching too many small fish, why the bycatch of a particular species is so unavoidable or for example, why fishers are discarding species at sea that landed are worth significant money.
‘‘It’s blatant that the driver for cameras is misplaced and until we get the incentives on fishers right nothing will change. Continuing to ignore this as successive managers have presents a huge risk to New Zealand fisheries.’’
Dion Tuuta, chief executive of Te Ohu Kaimoana, had not seen the letter – but agreed that ‘‘cameras alone would not sufficiently address the issues’’.
‘‘The introduction of cameras could have significant economic impacts on the industry, which in turn would affect New Zealanders. We would encourage more discussion that can bring sensible policy that is not emotively driven.’’
Seafood New Zealand were looking forward to a ‘‘thorough consultation process and the issues the industry has raised will be addressed to everyone’s satisfaction before any final decisions on cameras on vessels are made’’.
However, Nash told Stuff he has pulled back on plans after talking to industry people throughout the country.
‘‘I have heard rumours I have a mandate to put cameras in – I don’t,’’ he said.
‘‘I know there are major concerns that need to be sorted before any talk around cameras goes ahead, and I don’t think the immediate introduction of cameras would work if it went ahead.’’
Instead, Nash is seeking Cabinet approval to create a discussion document which would seek feedback from across the industry.
‘‘Once we have feedback ... then I would start consulting with our coalition partners,’’ Nash said.
‘‘I take this very seriously and the industry has a number of issues, I want to consult in a meaningful way right across the sector.’’
‘‘[Cameras] don’t recognise or address in any way why we are catching too many small fish.’’ Andrew Talley of Talley’s Group in a letter to the Government