Jesus Christ was the only person who could make a meal out of three fish, former Labour Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Fisheries Dover Samuels said yesterday.
Mr Samuels, a small-scale commercial fisherman at Matauri Bay for 30 years, said proposals which could cut the daily snapper bag limit from nine to three for recreational fishers were the "thin edge of wedge" for increasing the commercial catch at the expense of people catching food for family.
By contrast, Whangarei MP and former National Minister of Fisheries Phil Heatley was predictably more sympathetic toward the Government review of the snapper fishery between Cape Reinga and East Cape.
He said yesterday the review was about making a good fishery healthier and options open to Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy included increasing the recreational catch.
Mr Heatley said it was essential for fishers to make submissions before August 23 so the minister could assess public concerns over the proposals.