Recreational fishers are righteous to protest against insane new Hauraki Gulf Protection Act
Boats towed over Auckland Harbour Bridge in fishing protest convoy
More than 500 vehicles, many towing boats, have crossed the Auckland Harbour Bridge today in a protest against aspects of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Act and other proposed fishing reforms.
The last minute change to the Hauraki Gulf Protection Act is nothing short of more crony capitalism for the Fishing Industry.
Allowing existing commercial fishers to fish in banned areas while stopping recreational fishers is outrageous.
I am of the firm belief that Kiwis have a right to fish on our amazing oceans, I am deeply skeptical of allowing commercial fishing with all the enormous damage they do should be anywhere near inland.
I believe recreational fishers should have access to our inland alongside customary fishing rights for Māori while all commercial fishers have to be far off shore.
Shane Jones relationship with Industrial Fishing is one I simply do not trust.
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Fucking Shane Jones, the fucking corrupt fat fuck.
If it’s a marine conservation area there shouldn’t be any fishing in my view. There is room for discussion about the number, size and location of the areas though. We have quota limits on commercial fishing so recreational fishing needs to respect any bag limits as well. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that an increase in demand for fish from a fixed area can eventually lead to reduced supply so it’s in everyone’s best interests to control the demand. I would put treaty requirements first, genuine recreational fishing next and commercial interests last although I doubt that any government would have the same priorities.