I mean absolutely no disrespect to Paula Bennett, the author of this article that appeared in the NZ Herald, in fact it is good that she writes so candidly, her viewpoints probably represent a snap shot of the majority of kiwi fisherfolk today.
Of course she is acting with the best intentions in mind, but I thought that the article really needs a closer dissection in case we might be unwitting undermining current conservation efforts.
Firstly we start with the big one...Fishing Competitions, and the question really is how do competitions serve conservation of fisheries? Indeed indigenous Whangarei Iwi have tried opposing Fishing Competitions because they did not reflect what a view of what the moana was for ... providing life giving kai (food), but they have been overridden by our dominant Western cultural values. I have also elsewhere in my Blogs introduce indigenous viewpoints that describe 'our thoughts' as being fundamental in our relationship to fishing...and the spirit of competition, albeit such a esteemed part of our Western culture, many would have it, has no place on the water.
Next many such Marlin fishing competitions described are out to set new records for biggest fish on light lines. This is in contrast to Pacific Island cultures who fish for such fish to feed their tribes, sometimes from dug out canoes, but always using strong lines that minimise any tormenting fight time for fish.
In contrast light lines, hours of play and then a tag and release cannot be seen to benefit the fish or fisheries at all. Indeed an exhausted fish, tagged and release does just what one might expect of such a wounded animal...research says it flees as far and as wide as it can away from the source of its torment. Tag and release then becomes a very dubious science technique.
Moving on to sustainable fishing...One boat caught 100 fish and kept 8?
Even using circle hooks and not gut hooking any, it seems a very destructive to the fish...and then she says it was all about having a good time...for who...surely not the fish? I'll wager that that many more fish died than the 8 kept. Even bringing fish up from depth can irreparably harm their swim bladders. It seemed the fish were legal large ones, (breeders) so I'd say such competitions, even if taking photos and measures, can hardly be accounted sustainably friendly.
It's all very well touting niceties such as 'we gave them away' or 'only taking enough for a feed' 'utilizing the whole fish', the joy of being on the ocean', but the reality is that catching 100 fish, keeping 8 and then taking some moral high ground over those bottom trawlers doesn't add up.
I think the author has enjoyed a days very good fishing, but without keeping a track of her efforts then it is very hard to know if indeed marine life is becoming more abundant or otherwise. At least commercial fishers keep a CELR ( Catch Effort Landing Return) to help sustainability.
All to 'snapper only' and 'photos' competition rule, we fish with a maxim of 'You hook, you cook it'. With the few fishing competitions I once entered the best fish, no matter its species, were kept and filleted, with the local Fish'n'Chip shop bringing them back as a meal of superbly battered fresh fish, chips and lemon slices, so that all and sundry could enjoy a community feed.
What an awesome way to encourage the next generation into fishing.
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