Crayfish tensions rise

Tensions are running high aboard some Wairarapa crayfish boats at a critical time for the industry with a voluntary halving of the annual $10 million take now almost a reality.
Daryl Sykes, Rock Lobster Industry Council executive officer and former Wairarapa fisherman, is aware of concerns raised by some fishermen that new vessels to the region have taken to the water in past weeks as the present season draws to a close.
"These are usual seasonal squabbles that have perhaps been aggravated by new players coming in at a time when the season is winding down," Mr Sykes said yesterday.
"Local fishermen like the idea of giving fishing grounds a rest before the new seasons starts in April, and these new boats don't fit well with that concept."
He earlier told the Times-Age that there was significant support for an industry initiative among the 86 owners of CRA 4 quota shares to voluntarily reduce the 2007 commercial catch limits from 577 tonnes to 325 tonnes.
The initiative is being proposed to halt an observed stock decline and add value to the commercial landings by increasing the proportion of catches taken in the higher value autumn and winter period.
CRA 4 is a quota management area that includes Wairarapa, Wellington and Hawke's Bay.
The Wairarapa commercial crayfishing fleet comprised 65 vessels at the peak of the 2005/06 commercial season, with the majority of boats operating from coastal bases in isolated rural areas.
The CRA 4 commercial catch has a landed value in excess of $16 million, Mr Sykes said, with about 70 per cent of that total caught off the Wairarapa coast.
He said the industry had earlier agreed that 95 per cent of quota owners needed to consent to reducing commercial catch limits.
He said a small number of quota owners had earlier feared they would forfeit their permits if the industry initiative caused them to drop below a three tonne catch entitlement, but he is now "confident these issues can be satisfactorily addressed".
Mr Sykes said corporate stakeholders in the region had also pledged support for proposed reductions.
A timetable for the running of the initiative would be confirmed as early as next week, he said.
"Technical issues have been resolved and corporate concerns that were raised have been satisfied. Now all we need to do is tidy up the paperwork and an announcement is imminent regarding the decision and a timetable for the initiative."
Mr Sykes said an extensive stock-monitoring programme is now in place to ensure the fishery does not decline to dangerous levels.
The next industry committee meeting for the region is to be held on February 21, he said, and written notice "will be sent to all CR 4 industry members once the initiative is certain".