Government looks at fishing quota for amateur anglers

Commercial fishers may receive compensation under a plan to entrench the rights of recreational fishers and Maori.

Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton yesterday released a discussion document on proposals for managing shared fisheries - sea life caught by recreational, commercial and customary fishers, such as snapper, blue cod, kahawai, paua and rock lobster.

One proposal would see the Government maintain and protect a minimum tonnage of some species for amateur fishers, which would have priority over the commercial take. Tonnages would be reduced only if the species was no longer commercially fished and it was becoming unsustainable.

If such a change significantly affected commercial fishers' economic interests the Government would look at compensation, Mr Anderton said.

"If we have to change the quantity of fish that can be caught between the sectors involved, then there are property rights issues there and we are going to give serious consideration to compensating for losses," he said.

"It's not an invitation for a blank cheque - for example, from a sustainability point of view there's no requirement for compensation and none will be paid. But where there is a reallocation for the purposes of improving one or other of the participants in the shared fishery, then compensation will be considered."

Mr Anderton asked for goodwill from all sides of the debate so everyone could get the best deal possible and everyone had certainty for the future.

Other key points in the discussion document were:

* Ministry of Fisheries to develop ways to get better information about how many fish are caught by amateurs.

* Greater flexibility in setting total allowable catch limits.

* Clarity on the provision for Maori customary take.

* Systems for setting and adjusting allowable amateur and commercial catches.

* Creation of a Government-funded trust to represent amateur fishers' interests.

Keith Ingram, president of the Recreational Fishing Council, said the Government had gone some significant way to recognise the concerns of recreational fishers. He also endorsed the proposed Amateur Fishing Trust.

The Seafood Industry Council said it had "grave concerns" about the discussion paper.

"The document's intent is not what we expected," said chief executive Owen Symmans. "We already have an internationally recognised quota management system ... we're concerned that this document is about reallocation away from the commercial sector."

Mr Symmans said the recreational, customary and commercial sectors already shared resources.

"We have to take any sign of reallocation away from commercial interests very, very seriously."