The Blue Cod Action Group Agenda

The Blue Cod Action Group

Agenda • • • House keeping etc – 5 minutes Message from Scott Williamson Central Inshore Manager Introductions and a brief personal summary of back ground and interest in Marlborough Sounds. – (20 minutes to 18: 20) Round the table discussion on what each member would like to see the group achieve (white Board) - (30 Minutes to 18: 50) Roles, focus, opportunities and possible outcomes of the group – David Scranney (30 minutes to 19: 20) Refreshment break 15 minutes reconvene 19: 35 Draft TOR- comments invited - David Scranney (20 minutes to 20: 00) Timelines and what needs to be achieved – David Scranney (15 minutes to 20: 15) How will we get there? David Scranney (20 minutes to 20: 35) Objectives – themes (voluntary, regulatory and advisory) Actions Timeline(s) Communications Research and information • • Fisheries management awareness and up-skilling David Scranney (5 minutes to 20: 40) Marlborough Sounds Socio-economic fishery study – Chris Batstone (Cawthron Institute) (15 minutes to 20: 55) Home work (5 minutes) Date of Next meeting (Suggested 29 th of January 2009)

Who are we? • 7 members from across Sounds’ communities • Inclusive but small enough to be effective • Includes Iwi, FPAG, ratepayers, Rec Forum, Sound. Fish, Marlborough Rec Fishers • Mandate from FPAG to deal with Sound’s blue cod rec fishery issues.

CIFF FPAG Commercial Te Tau Ihu Customary Wider Marlborough Community NZRFC TASFISH Local Iwi TOS Forum Action Group Recreational TOS Forum Sound. Fish Ratepayers and residents associations MRFA MDC RMA Charter boat operators & lodges Visiting rec fishers holiday makers and tourists Diagram: Schematic Blue cod Action Group linkages across recreational and customary stakeholders groups in the Marlborough Sounds

Why are we here? • Localised depletion of Blue cod since at least 2001 in the Sounds • Community need have a sustainable fishery • Previous ‘remedies’ have not worked • Recreational fishing pressure increasing • Window of opportunity to work on enduring solutions • Your experience and community ties.

Mandate and ties to Challenger Finfish Plan Fish Plan Advisory Group Stock level management Customary Recreational Te Tau Ihu Forum Customary/Rec/Commercial Environmental Commercial To. S Rec Forum Blue cod Action Group Recreational fishing Blue cod Marlborough Sounds Recreational fishing

Focus of the group Environmental Factors No influence Rec fishing regulations Ferries Influence FPAG Aquaculture Rec Forum Control Visitors A successful group = greater influence Recreational fishing Bach Owners Marlborough Sounds Voluntary measures Tackle retailers Community voice RMA Commercial fishing Tourist information Charter Operators Residents Customary Forum Water quality Forestry

Objectives 1. Develop a blue cod rebuilding programme for the Marlborough Sounds – The programme framework should include elements of: Ø Regulatory tools (eg, MLS, bag limits etc) Ø Voluntary measures backed by enduring education programme Ø Community communication to increase understanding of the issues 2. The rebuilding programme will be considered viable by Scientists and likely time line acceptable by the community 3. A successful rebuilding programme must have a high degree of community buy-in Ø Forum members provide a two way information conduit to the community Ø Consultation process for regulatory change 4. Regulatory and voluntary measures are in place before October 2012 Ø This means the group will have reached all decisions and communicated these August 2011.

Constraints • Fisheries Act 1996 – the rules • MFish Managers and Science consider measures sufficient to achieve Objective 1 and 2 • Decisions based on ‘best available information. ’ • Community support; the greater the ‘buy-in’ for regulatory change the higher the chance the Minster of Fisheries will sign-off. • Those who believe there isn’t a problem. • How will we know if measures are working? – monitoring…. . • Time line

4 Paths to enlightenment (Road map to success) October 2012 Now Future (when? ? ) Voluntary means (direct control) 1 Eg, circle hooks, ? ? ? Fish. Away tube Rec Fishery closed 2 Regulatory controls (influence) We need to Eg, MLS, daily bag limit, work on as a group Depleted populations of blue cod 3 Community views split Community support (influence) Eg, consultation, communication 4 Effective compliance (influence) Rec Fishery Open (access provided) Rebuilt populations that are sustainably fished Community unison

Roles MFish Action Group • • • Inform the Minister of the Action Group’s work Provide specific and detailed information for the Action Group’s work Provide education material to ensure members are able to participate fully Ensure Action Group are updates of all relevant MFish activities • • • Represent the views of members constituents Alert the Ministry of issues of importance in the Marlborough Sounds Identify specific issues and hurdles that the group and Ministry need to focus on Disseminate information to constituents Actively participate in discussions and actions Assist in raising public awareness of blue cod management in the Marlborough Sounds

Resources • Communication – dedicated web page, leaflets, posters, The Fishing Paper Column, and other media, your networks • Best fisher practices – Pamphlets, posters, Regulatory tools, promotional material • Fishery Science and management up-skilling – Fishery reports, Science talks, bibliographies, research, management talks

Home work • If you have comments on the TOR please provide these to David Scranney by December 19 (sign-off next meeting) • Please check minutes of meeting and provide comments (Email) • Before next meeting consult with your constituents and come to next meeting with ideas for: – What communication channels do we need to reach the community – What voluntary measures do we need to attain our goals (Path 1) – Ways to give the COMMUNITY as voice to inform fishers on how they need to behave. – Are you happy with the name of the group? Alternatives?