Temporary closure around the eastern Coromandel coast to the harvest of scallops

Sue Grey
NZ Outdoors Party
C/o 99 Grace Rd, Turangi
Nelson, Nelson City 7010

suegreylawyer@gmail.com

Spatial Planning and Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.

17/05/2021

Submission:
Support the application by Ngāti Hei for a 2-year temporary closure around the eastern Coromandel coast to the harvest of scallops under section 186A of the Fisheries Act.

SUBMISSION BY NZ OUTDOORS PARTY on Scallop Closure

Prepared and lodged by President and Co-leader- Alan Simmons
alan@fishnhunt.co.nz 0274 980 304

INTRODUCTION

This submission is lodged by the NZ OUTDOORS PARTY, a registered political party under the Electoral Act.

The NZ OUTDOORS PARTY has a rapidly growing and active membership, who value freedom, access to the great Outdoors and New Zealand, including its people, tikanga and environment.

The NZ OUTDOORS PARTY promotes connection of New Zealanders with each other and with nature.

The OUTDOORS PARTY promotes:

democracy where people play an active role in decision making, knowing their views are valued and will be listened to.
freedom from excessive government and international interference in the lives of New Zealanders;
more self-sufficiency for New Zealand and New Zealanders,
better care of our water, land, soil, wildlife and of our people.
natural and organic regenerative approaches to agriculture to promote community wellbeing and thriving rural communities and local businesses.
“localism” to encourage and empower local people to support their local communities and have an active role in decision which affect the health and wellbeing of their community;
food and body sovereignty;
transparent representation and informed decision making which will promote a long-term vision for protecting and promoting the interests of all New Zealanders, our children and grandchildren.
The NZ OUTDOORS PARTY requests the opportunity to be heard in person on this submission.

SUBMISSION The NZ Outdoors Party supports the application by Ngāti Hei for a 2-year temporary closure around the eastern Coromandel coast to all harvest of scallops under section 186A of the Fisheries Act.

I acknowledge the efforts by Ngāti Hei and the local community for effectively applying a rāhui and voluntary ban on scallop harvesting from Opito Bay, in December 2020.

I want David Parker, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, to close the eastern Coromandel scallop fishery to enable the scallop beds to recover from years of dredging.

It is clear to me that the Quota Management System is not working. Scallop numbers have been declining for many years and now there is not enough scallops to meet local needs.

Shellfish dredging and bottom trawling are destructive fishing techniques that impact on our shellfish, fish and other organisms.

I want David Parker, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, to ban all dredging and bottom trawling from inshore waters, out to 12 nautical miles off the coast.

Yours Faithfully,

Sue Grey
NZ Outdoors Party