New fishing code of conduct introduced in Dunedin
A FISHING code of conduct has been introduced in Dunedin as the industry works to better its reputation and levels of public trust.
The code makes clear the industry does not condone illegal behaviour, will work with the Government and others to develop policies to ensure it is sustainable, and work to minimise effects on the marine environment.
It promises to continue to invest in science and innovation, look after its people and treat them fairly.
Port Chalmers Fishermen’s Cooperative president Ant Smith said 24 fishermen attended a meeting in Careys Bay last week to hear about the code.
The idea was to get all ‘‘on board and committed to following the principles’’.
Mr Smith said the code of conduct was about fishermen’s commitment to the fishery, the community and stakeholders.
‘‘Every New Zealander has a right to an abundant and clean fishery.’’
That came with responsibilities for the industry, and it wanted to ‘‘stand up and take control of that’’.
Mr Smith said he had been in the industry for 30 years, it was sustainable, and was only getting better.
The quota system in New Zealand had been good for fish stocks, and the industry was doing well.
There was a full wharf of boats at Careys Bay yesterday, where 15 years ago there had been only about six or seven vessels.
He said the code ‘‘went down pretty well’’ at the meeting.
Tim Pankhurst, chief executive of industry group Seafood New Zealand, said the Careys Bay meeting was the 13th, as the code was rolled out nationally.
The genesis of the code was concern the industry’s reputation and public trust ‘‘isn’t as strong as it should be’’.
It was an important and sustainable industry, held in high regard internationally, but less so in New Zealand.
Mr Pankhurst said the industry was under greater scrutiny, and had to not just do the right thing, but be seen to do so.
The code was developed to underpin that.
‘‘We’ve got plenty of detractors out there, and yet we think we’re good people doing good things,’’ he said.
The results of the code’s launch would be assessed at the industry’s conference in August, with quantifiable results like endangered species bycatch, industry death and injury numbers, and fishery sustainability.
Mr Pankhurst said while most did the right thing, there was concern about those in the industry who undertook ‘‘persistent and deliberate misbehaviour’’.
Those people needed to be ‘‘lined up and driven out of the industry’’.
‘‘The days of cowboys are long gone.’’