Paua industry gets post-quake lifeline

Struggling paua fishermen in Kaikoura’s post-quake waters are set to receive a $520,000 lifeline from the Government.

November’s earthquake has left the east coast’s paua fishery in disarray; the coastline from south Marlborough to Kaikoura was closed immediately after the quake, and experts have said it could be years before it recovers.

The grant, announced in Kaikoura by Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy and Minister of Finance Steven Joyce yesterday, is designed to help the town’s paua fishing community back on its feet.

The bulk of the fund will be distributed as grants for affected commercial paua fishermen in Kaikoura, with money also pledged for community-based support and recovery of the paua population.

Jason Ruawai, chairman of PAUAMAC3, which covers the Kaikoura area, said the earthquake’s impact was still being felt and it was vital to get this support for the local paua industry.

‘‘It’s about sustaining the fishermen so that they don’t fall over,’’ he said.

’’I hope this will be enough to get our members through this year. This won’t replace what they could have earned, but it’s something.’’

Kaikoura’s paua fishery was the worst hit in New Zealand by November’s earthquake, Ruawai said.

The 7.8-magnitude disaster uplifted seabed along the east coast up to 5 metres and drastically altered intertidal zones.

Members of the PAUAMAC3 area opted to cut their total allowable commercial catch limit by 50 per cent for the upcoming season in an attempt to shore up stock.

Kaikoura fishermen had lobbied the Ministry for Primary Industries for double the amount it allocated but some assistance was better than none, Ruawai said.

’’Any relief is really welcomed by us. Such an event like this is unforeseen and has a big impact.’’

Guy said the Kaikoura paua fishing community was the latest primary sector to get support following November’s disaster.

Assistance to paua fishermen followed on from the ministry’s earthquake recovery fund for farmers in Marlborough, Kaikoura and Hurunui in May.

‘‘The primary sector recovery funds are focused on helping affected farmers, [fishermen] and growers to plan for the future, especially where land use needs to change,’’ Guy said.

The paua fund would allocate up to $360,000 as grants for impacted commercial paua fishermen. Extra funding of $40,000 would go toward community-based support and funding recovery activities.

Marlborough paua fishermen, however, have not been included in the latest round of financial assistance.