Paua divers take action

Commercial paua divers in Wairarapa are taking the fight to poachers now plundering the coastline to feed a multi-million dollar black market.
Legitimate operators are to brand their vehicles and boats with orange identification signs and use global positioning system data loggers while diving throughout the Paua 2 allocation area, which stretches from Turakirae Heads in Wellington to Blackhead Point in Central Hawkes Bay, Paua 2 Industry Association chairman Tony Craig said.
Mr Craig, who also works as Aotearoa Fisheries quota manager, said the Masterton launch on Thursday night of the branding and data logging is the first step by the association to protect the sustainability of an annual take of 121 tonnes of paua valued at more than $4 million.
"The ministry reckons another 180 tonnes with a black market value of up to $2 million is taken every year as well and the launch of this branding and data logging initiative is the industry adding weight to the clampdown on poaching," Mr Craig said.
"We're taking action to better manage and protect a $45m asset nationally that's at an increasing risk of erosion," he said.
"Our initiative, which also includes informative signs on bag limits and sizes, aims to differentiate legitimate divers from poachers. If members of the public see shore-based groups or boatloads of people hauling in sacks of paua and if there's no brand they'll know they're poachers.
"The branding and data logging will also help build a names and numbers profile for the ministry of who's in the water. And that will be right down to bays and reefs because depths and positions will be logged and overlaid with catch statistics.
"The data units are worn on the diver's vests and mean we stay in control and can make management decisions accordingly, as well as helping the ministry target their enforcement efforts given that it's very limited."
Over the next month the association will also seek "active participation" with the proposed closure of South Wairarapa areas as mataitai reserves involving 3km of the coast at Pukaroro, and 9km at Matakitaki a Kupe "where traditionally, 20 per cent of the commercial fishery has been harvested", he said.
Commercial Wairarapa divers already voluntarily forsake harvesting near inhabited areas at Ngawi and Riversdale, Mr Craig said, and despite having "some sympathy" with the call for the two mataitai reserves "we've responsibly managed this fishery for 30 years" and the reserves risk depletion in neighbouring areas.
"The downstream impact could have dire sustainability consequences on the remaining fishing areas and a significant negative social and economic impact on the Wairarapa community.
"Locals need to fully understand the implications prior to submissions closing mid-November and we are suggesting other options to meet the needs of local iwi," Mr Craig said.