It is confirmed that the New Zealand authority is taking into consideration the Labour’s deal with Ngati Porou under the Foreshore and Seabed Act, which has dismayed the district’s crayfishing sector, who fear they will be hit hard by the loss of historical fishing grounds. The deal is expected to be signed this month which will allow Ngati Porou to set fishing regulations along the East Coast, close some coastal areas, veto use of the coast for commercial reasons, set fishing regulations, and impose fines of up to $5000 on those who fail to comply.
Experts said that the deal will empower local hapu to declare “wahi tapu”, or sacred sites. Fines of up to $5000 could be imposed if non-Maori try to use the beaches. It will also enable Ngati Porou to change place names. It is informed that among the areas being set aside for territorial customary fishing rights are Matakaoa Point, Horoera, Pakihi, the Waiapu river mouth, Whareponga Beach, and Marau Beach and Paerau Point just north of Tolaga Bay.
Since the finalization of the deal the commercial and recreational crayfishing sectors have expressed grave concern about the loss of further fishing areas. It is found that the establishment of the marine reserve at Pouawa is shifting fishing pressure and competition for fish to other areas. The industry is already facing quota cuts of up to 19 percent this year, as a result of a survey of the biomass that showed the number of crayfish significantly down.
Rock lobster fisheries spokesman Gordon Halley expressed that the issue of closed beaches was of significant concern to the industry. Likewise, recreational fisheries spokesman Hilton Webb expressed extreme concern. Co-spokesman Alain Jorion said he could not see the difference between this deal and apartheid, which all New Zealanders, both Maori and European, had fought so hard against.
