Fishers need to stick together

I am not surprised by Keith Mawson’s frustrated response to Dominic Yukich’s petition to ban commercial fishing near towns and cities ( Taranaki Daily News, November 8).

Our few small commercial fishers have been hit by one restriction after another, many of which have nothing to do with the sustainability of our fishery.

However, not many recreational fishers know that he and the commercial fishers who supply Egmont Fisheries have voluntarily avoided fishing close to New Plymouth to prevent conflict between the two groups.

Keith went even further by hosting an annual meeting between commercial and recreational fishers to identify and resolve any causes of friction.

It is such a proactive visionary move that should remind all of us fishers that there is more that unites us than divides us.

It is easy to throw stones at the commercial guys, but let’s be clear that if we are not sticking together we will surely get picked off separately by the ever growing woke army of lentil eaters.