Welcome to the FryUp – a regular look back at the week of fishing in the news.
Marlborough Council calls to ban trawling and dredging
Interesting news from the Marlborough District where bottom trawling and dredging is to be banned in certain sensitive areas of the Sounds under the Resource Management Act.
The Council wants to protect fragile areas and the move is being described as a “big, bold step” by marine biologist Rob Davidson.
“It’s a major step in the right direction. It’s the first time benthic [seabed] protection has been attempted other than marine reserves.”
This is very interesting as previously the only movements in this area have been conducted under the Fisheries Act and only under MPI control. Now, it seems, the regional councils are taking an active interest in ensuring the future survivability of our fisheries as well.
Stuff – The Marlborough District Council bans seabed trawling and dredging at ecologically significant marine sites
Marlborough Express – Marlborough ecosystems being destroyed
Stuff – Calls to ban anchoring, trawling and dredging at Marlborough Sounds seabeds
Did you know? Didymo
Didymo, also known charmingly as “rock snot” has been a scourge of our waterways for many years now. In parts of New Zealand the lakes and rivers are all but choked with the vile, slippery, foul stuff.
But recently a group of scientists have discovered what could be the silver bullet in the fight to rid us of this noxious pest.
Doug Stevens from NZ Fishing has alerted us to the news that this imported algae which has taken over South Island waterways has not made it into the North Island because in the north we have phosphorus in the water to the tune of more than two parts per billion (with a b). Because of our volcanoes we have a natural immunity to it, and that discovery may lead researchers here and in Canada to a solution (no pun intended).
NZ Fishing has the scoop on it all as well as more information from NIWA scientist Cathy Kilroy that is a must read for anyone who dabbles in the fresh water world as well as the salt.
NZFishing – Can didymo be controlled?
Kudos for Clarke
Not content with knowing a good thing when he sees one, Clarke Gayford not only manages to make a living filming himself fishing in some of the world’s most beautiful locations (I’m sure there’s some more to it than that but from here, that’s what it looks like) he also managed to get a discussion on Section 21 of the Fisheries Act into a cover story in the New Zealand Herald’s Canvas magazine.
As he told Kim Knight:
“What a lot of New Zealanders don’t know is that when the Fisheries Act was set up it was really clear – Section 21 of the Act says fish are our sovereign resource. We all, as New Zealanders, have an equal share in it. The first cab off the rank is customary rights, then they allow for mortality, then recreational, then, if there’s any fish left over, that is the commercial take.”
“But the commercial industry, through full-time lobbyists … they’ve tweaked it to their advantage. The fact that as a commercial fisherman, you can take a snapper at 25 centimetres, whereas all recreational takes are set at 30cm – that’s just like turning up to a nightclub and going to the front of the queue every time.”
Well done that man, and with a new TV series in the offing (Fish of the Day, Choice TV, Wednesday 27th July at 8.30pm) we’re sure to see more of both Clarke and the fish he loves to show off in the months ahead.
NZ Herald – Clarke Gayford: Jacinda Ardern is the best thing that’s ever happened to me
Choice TV – Fish of the Day
