One rule for all

There were a couple of articles in the Express on December 23 about blue cod.

One was the court case [‘‘Fishery rulling one-off – judge’’]. The minister and his ministry wallies have egg on their faces. What a waste of taxpayers’ money. Ministry rangers running around policing silly laws.

On the ideas of Sounds’ Connection’s Mark Baxter, and recreational blue cod rules – how about this as ideas for recreational fishing: a voluntary size limit of 33cm (same as commercial), fishing 12 months of year (same as commercial), bag limit of four cod and no transit rule so both recreational and commercial fishers can bring fish in, filleting allowed. Yeah, and cut back the commercial quota.

A caught blue cod is a caught blue cod whether it is a recreational angler or a commercial cod potter.

Why does the minister restrict the recreational fishing to eight months a year while commercial fishers have a full year? Is it because the National Party president is a big shareholder in a fisheries company?

We fishers are sick of what’s going on. NEIL WILSON Blenheim

From this article readers may have concluded that:

The DHB’s ‘‘challenging’’ financial position was only ascertained in February this year, and that the financial recovery plan only started at that time; and

As the previous chief executive, I earned more than double what the new chief executive does. Neither is true. Before I retired in December 2012, management and clinical staff had already identified $5 million in savings. These initiatives provided scope for much of the financial recovery this year.

Like the chairman and current chief executive, I would like to add my admiration for the savings staff have achieved this year; I understand better than most that this would not have been easy.

The article implied I was paid an annual salary in the $560-580,000 bracket. My salary, for the purposes of the direct comparison drawn for the four and half month period of the new CEO’s salary of $120-130,000, would have been $140-150,000.

The article failed to clarify that any departing employee’s final payment usually includes nonregular items such as accumulated leave, which in my case was quite extensive. JOHN PETERS Former chief executive, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board

Photo: KAT DUGGAN Cod challenge: Sounds Connection co-owner Mark Baxter says there are plenty of blue cod in the Sounds. Recreational fishermen such as letter writer Neil Wilson want the rules changed.