Anglers wade into reserve proposal

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Anglers are preparing to fight a marine reserve proposal for a 10km stretch of coastline considered to be one of Auckland's prime fishing spots.

A fishing ban around Tiritiri Matangi Island and the Whangaparaoa Peninsula is being promoted by the New Zealand Underwater Association.

Association president Jeroen Jongejans said he expected a "not in my backyard response" from Auckland anglers but urgent action was needed to stop the deterioration of the natural marine life.

Protecting the habitats and species in the sea, seabed and foreshore was a natural extension to the sanctuary for plants and birds on Tiritiri Matangi Island and the Shakespear Regional Park on the peninsula.

Mr Jongejans was confident the Tiritiri Island scheme would meet broader criteria for marine reserves as proposed under legislation now before a parliamentary select committee.

Shakespear Pt has four submerged ship hulks and Shearer Rock has the Royal Tar wreck.

Mr Jongejans said their lure for divers would add to the natural charms of the area to give a tourism boost to the local economy.

Reserve promoters have won the Rodney District Council's backing in seeking public comments on their proposal by February 28 as a prelude to asking the Minister of Conservation to create a reserve.

But anglers say a reserve would rob them of prized grounds for snapper and kingfish in sheltered waters that are suited to their small boats.

Peninsula resident John Cooper said he was one of hundreds of residents who could go out in a small boat and catch a meal on a good day.

He said the proposal, coupled with the existing Long Bay reserve, would mean nearly half of the 40km coastline from Long Bay to the Orewa River would be excluded from fishing.

In addition, anglers would lose access to the coast around Tiritiri Matangi Island, including popular Shearer Rock.

As well as reef fish, the proposed reserve area yields scallops, pipi, cockles and kina.

Many visitors to the regional park gathered shellfish as part of their day out, said a nearby resident Jim Welch.

On Christmas Day he counted 96 people gathering shellfish and 108 on Boxing Day. On a fine day up to 150 small boats fished between the park and the island.

"Where are they going to go if the reserve goes ahead?"

Opposition was mounting, said another resident, Jeff Romeril, who is president of the Big Game Fishing Council and a board member of the Recreational Fishing Council.

He said anglers could not go outside the reserve without a risky crossing of open waters.

The underwater association said its survey of 336 visitors to the island last summer showed enormous support for the reserve.

It showed 83 per cent of all visitors supported the idea, with 57 per cent support among those just fishing.

Support had also come from the Forest and Bird Society, which is awaiting ministerial approval for its application for a marine reserve at Te Matuku Bay, Waiheke Island.