Call to ban torpedoes
The holiday-makers are definitely coming to the very Far North for leisure and fishing. During the recent Easter break I visited the community of Rangiputa. It blew me way. Boat trailers both sides of that road and many boats fishing in and out of the Awanui harbour. It was open slather with no fisheries inspectors around.
So where do we as a community stand in regard to this influx? Are we going to turn a blind eye to the depletion of fish stocks to a point that catching a snapper in our harbours will be gone in five years time? Houhora Harbour is one of the smallest harbours in New Zealand. This community needs to rally right now to explore the idea of turning this harbour into a marine reserve. The large Parengarenga harbour is controlled by their trust board who are doing a good job in monitoring both commercial and leisure fishing. Awanui harbour is a worry. Commercial fishing is huge. Mullet stocks are down and the flounder have virtually vanished. I spoke to one mullet fisherman and he was keen to see this harbour closed for two years to replenish stocks.
The other big problem is torpedoes. Very popular, everyone owns one. Both East Beach and Ninety Mile, especially in the evenings, are like Queen St because of them. Sure there is a limit but when you put out 25 hooks, who does the checking?
In Australia, most states have banned the torpedo. Now the latest are drones,
more effective than the torpedo. They will drop lines right where the fish are. So what’s the solution? Ban both. Unfortunately, the present government will duck for cover.
Duck shooting this Saturday and it’s going to be a difficult one especially for those shooters in the Kaitaia swamp. Botulism caused by warmer water in the oxidation ponds has killed hundreds of ducks and swans.
A big thank you to John MacPherson for installing hangers to keep the birds away. However, a good number of mallard have been been spotted on rivers, harbours and lakes. Canada Geese have bred well and are numerous. Yes, I will be shooting with the Hilton Jones’ brothers on the Waiharara Lake. Twelve shooters involved, all bunked up for two nights at Ronnie Fenwick’s residence. Top quality food is on the menu with Russell Hilton Jones laying down the law: “There is to be no boil-up!”
Watched the Awanui/ Kaeo match last Saturday. What a game! Big crowd and excellent play. Kaeo certainly gave Awanui the hurry up in the first half. Their forwards are impressive with a couple of speedy backs. But as the game wore on, Awanui got on top; Denny Windleborn controlling the backline and the loose forward trio of Ollie Hilton Jones, Morgan Harvey and Sean Windleborn Rawiri just too good and their team running out comfortable winners.
And that’s how Mat sees it.