May 11, 2017
Over time various government functions have been passed over to Crown institutes and established researchers. This hand-over is acceptable if stakeholders have had a say, and if the transfer is to accredited parties. However, the passover of more fisheries management functions and administrative powers to FishServe, a company owned and operated by the fishing industry […]
April 14, 2017
When the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) failed to prosecute industrial fishing boat captains for dumping catch it blamed legal advice for the decision. Now we are told that legal advice never existed. Instead, MPI used misleading information and misdirected both the Minister and the public as to why blatant dumping of fish recorded on […]
April 12, 2017
What’s going on in our fisheries? In the past week there has been claims and counter-claims about the cosy relationships between fisheries officials and corporate commercial interests. For years these dealings have been shaded from public view. Thanks to your support LegaSea and others have put the spotlight on these arrangements and we are now […]
April 6, 2017
LegaSea has responded to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) annual review of rock lobster sustainability measures. MPI’s January discussion paper proposed the following changes to the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) – 9% decrease to the commercial catch level in CRA 3 (East Cape, Gisborne) 23% or 27% reduction to the commercial catch level […]
April 5, 2017
At LegaSea we are regularly asked, “What is the story with everyone reporting their recreational catch?” and “do you support individual reporting?” Short answer, no. We prefer an independent assessment of all catch to avoid any bias that may arise from self-reporting. We currently have internationally acclaimed, robust and reliable recreational estimation method designed by […]
April 4, 2017
After the Kaikoura earthquake in November, the Minister for Primary Industries enacted his emergency powers under the Fisheries Act 1996 to close off fishing in the Kaikoura area. This was in light of shocking photos that emerged of large areas of seabed being forced from the water, with all the sea life still attached. There […]
April 3, 2017
Recreational catch reporting is often touted as the missing link in the fisheries management equation. Truth is New Zealand has a world-leading method of estimating recreational catch. It is highly independent to avoid the bias associated with self-reported catch that often plagues estimates of commercial catch, and licensing requirements. More information does not always equal […]
March 31, 2017
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council March 2017 Between January and March 2017 a survey was conducted to measure people’s perceptions of the state of the rock lobster (crayfish) fishery on the northeast coast of the North Island, known in management terms as CRA 2. Over 800 responses were received, with many respondents having dived or […]
March 31, 2017
A big shout out to Chester’s Plumbing and Bathroom Supplies, New Lynn, for their ongoing support of LegaSea. Chester’s donated $5000 to LegaSea during their annual Fanatical Fishos competition at the end of February. Chester’s has donated several thousand dollars annually for the past 21 years and this makes them one of the longest serving […]
March 20, 2017
A landmark survey of people who pot and dive for crayfish on the northeast coast between Pakiri and East Cape defies Ministry for Primary Industries’ assurances that the fishery is doing well. More than three quarters (78.6%) of the 822 survey respondents described the size and availability of crayfish in this popular fishery as 1 […]
