The debate over extending the limit of the Abel Tasman National Park becomes a red-hot topic in fishing circles. Some big changes has been noticed in the reserve as blue cod and crayfish have increased in numbers and size while scallop numbers have bounced back since the 1835ha reserve was established between the northern end of Bark Bay and the Awaroa Head in November 1993.
It is obvious that if the marine reserve bans all forms of fishing its life will recover to its near natural state. Nelson recreational fisherman Daryl Crimp says there’s not enough science involved in it. He added that the main problem with marine reserves, as they stand, is the whole process has been hijacked for the wrong reasons. According to him the Marine Reserve Act was put in place to set aside areas for scientific research. But he opposes the Green movement trying to lock areas up under the pretext of protection.
Department of Conservation’s Nelson-based marine scientist Andrew Baxter points out that it’s important to protect the ordinary, representative areas as well as the unique ones. He added that the Marine Protected Areas Policy, which has been signed off by the Government and that will improve the process for establishing marine reserves, addressing some of the concerns of fishing groups.
Malcolm Haddon of the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute told that marine protected areas can reduce sustainability of surrounding fisheries. According to him when large marine protected areas are introduced, they put more fishing pressure on surrounding areas. That can cause serious harm to the remaining fishery if the quotas are not reduced appropriately. It is fact that New Zealand has one of the largest coastlines in the world and only a small percentage is taken up by protected areas.
