According to the information the Mahia Maori Committee has applied to the Fisheries Ministry (Mfish), on behalf of Rongomaiwahine, to turn the non-commercial fishing areas into mataitai — traditional fishing grounds protected by local people. The Maori groups want to move the Horokaka, Toka Tamure and Te Hoe fishing areas into local control, with a separate committee of stakeholders, including commercial fishermen, to govern the area.
It is informed that the area has mainly crayfish, but also paua, kina, surf clams and pipi.Committee secretary Morehu Cooper expressed that it would allow for better management of the fishery if the application was successful. He also said that it takes Mfish a few years to notice trends. He added that Maori people will be able to notice and react straight away.
Kelvin Ellison, a Mahia commercial fisherman of 32 years, said it would be a positive step but there may be a problem with policing. Commercial boats fished the area illegally a few years ago. He informed that there were markers in place to mark non-commercial boundaries but these were cut down by people who fished the area. Committee kaumatua Sophie Dodd said a 1943 petition set the three areas aside as non-commercial fishing areas. Mfish spatial allocations manager Dr Randall Bess said there had been none so far. Ministry guidelines ensure a meeting with local stakeholders is held 20 days after submissions are due.
