Smell the roses

Ihave a rudimentary idea about which end of a rod should point at the water – by no stretch of the imagination could I be called a fishing enthusiast.

So I was a little bemused by the storm of controversy generated by the Government’s recently-announced plans for creating two recreational marine parks – one in the Hauraki Gulf and the other in the Marlborough Sounds.

I’m delighted for the estimated 21,000 recreational fishers that use the Gulf on a typical summer’s day, and for their hunter-gatherer colleagues in the Sounds. And I fully support any initiative designed to preserve/conserve and manage our resources more effectively. History doesn’t paint global commercial fishing in an admirable light.

I also understand that commercial fishing is a tough industry with wafer-thin margins – bigger no-go areas won’t make things any easier. On balance, therefore, the Government’s proposal could be viewed as a delicate compromise.

Ironically, though, from my discussions with those who are passionate about all things fishing, the establishment of an imaginary border separating recreational fishermen from their commercial cousins might not actually make a material difference.

Put simplistically, the fish will still have to move through the “danger zone” – swimming from the open sea through the commercial areas to get to the recreational areas. They may never get the opportunity to be tempted by the baits dangled over the side of John Citizen’s boat.

This also means any hopes that the new parks would foster growth among the populations of various fish species might be a little forlorn. These inconveniences aside, I still believe the concept is worthy of support.

But the raging controversy’s also triggered a different thought process in my mind. I can’t decide whether we – as a nation – are incredibly lucky and privileged even to be having this kind of argument, or whether we are chronically myopic.

When much of the rest of the world is wrestling with random terrorist attacks, homeless refugees, extreme drought, starvation, economic ruin and corrupt/inept rulers, a casual observer might view arguments about the merits or otherwise of recreational fishing parks as a little indulgent.

Happy boating.