By JAMES GARDINER
A secret plan by the Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC) to conduct its own inquiry into the performance of the Fisheries Ministry's compliance division has been scuttled.
Industry insiders said some members of the council's board did not want the inquiry to go ahead, despite widespread concern that fisheries officers were not treating all companies equally.
The board is dominated by big fishing company interests.
A compliance committee was formed two years ago, about the same time allegations of corruption and irregularities involving fisheries officers began to surface.
Its members were concerned whether fisheries officers were prosecuting small players, leaving the big companies alone, and if so, why.
All the major companies were represented, many by former compliance officials either from the ministry or other Government agencies.
Two committee members yesterday confirmed they wanted to appoint a retired High Court judge or someone of similar standing to head the review.
"We asked for an initial fund of $45,000 for an admin person," said one. "Instead they offered a staff member from SeaFIC. Last month they decided it was getting too hot."
Both men spoke on condition of anonymity, claiming it was dangerous to cross the fishing industry.
"They've done something incredibly stupid but people know they will lose their jobs if they say anything," one said.
"Last month a number of those board members must have said they don't want this committee to do its job, so first of all we won't give it funds and second we won't recognise it as a SeaFIC committee."
The SeaFIC staff member who chaired the committee said she could not discuss its terms of reference or membership because she was no longer chair. She referred inquiries to the council chief executive, who was not available.
Council chairman Dave Sharp was yesterday vague about detail. He said the committee had some council assistance but that was under review, as were all SeaFIC committees.
Mr Sharp did not know whether the committee intended reviewing the ministry's performance, saying he "would be surprised".
Mr Sharp did not deny the committee's existence. He said: "I don't think it can be called outstandingly successful."
However, a South Island fishing company manager, not a member of the committee, said yesterday that Mr Sharp had told him there had never been a compliance committee - that was all unofficial.
The council was established five years ago to replace the Government-appointed Fishing Industry Board, with the role of promoting the interests of all sectors of the fishing industry, providing information and advice, and co-ordinating resources.
Its members are Mr Sharp, Eric Barratt, Ron Brady, Peter Dawson, Robin Hapi, Phil Lough, Vaughan Wilkinson and Bruce Young.
* james_gardiner@nzherald.co.nz
Secret fishing inquiry hatched - then scuppered
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