Freshwater fishery facts

Date:  15 October 2018

Anglers may have encountered theories about the potential negative impacts of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill on salmon and trout fishing in New Zealand. The DOC Taupo Fishery Management Team would like to reassure anglers that the Bill makes no change to the management of sports fishing, other than to clarify existing roles and priorities.

The intention of the Bill is to provide native fish with similar legal tools as those already available to protect native plants and animals in this country. Ultimately both native fish and sports fish benefit from a good environment, and this Bill is an attempt to provide the right legal tools, so both can thrive.

Taupo Fishery Manager Dave Conley said, “As managers of one of the largest sports fisheries in the country, we do not see the Bill as a threat to trout fishing in the Taupo fishery, and believe it will not impact on anglers – they will still be subject to the normal Taupo Fishery Regulations that determine where, when and how trout can be caught.”

“I appreciate there has been a great deal of discussion about the bill, and whilst the fishery management team doesn’t agree with much of what is being alleged about the proposed changes, it is important for concerned anglers to participate in the democratic process and submit on their concerns, Mr Conley said. “The value of the select committee process is to ensure legitimate concerns with the draft bill can be addressed.”

Regarding some specific issues raised with the Bill, DOC states both trout farming, and the sale of trout is currently illegal in New Zealand and the Bill will not change this. Also, the Bill does not provide for new Treaty settlement arrangements, and whether future settlements will affect indigenous or sports fish is a matter for Parliament to determine.

In terms of the potential for removing trout and salmon from waterways, the Bill makes no difference to current arrangements. This rarely used facility already exists and has only been actioned in very specific situations and following thorough consultation with Fish & Game New Zealand.

Submissions on the Bill close on October 25^th, and can be made via the Parliament website.

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