Fishing: Little bait to attract your vote

Both major political parties have given assurances they won't introduce licensing for amateur fishers.

There is little difference in the fisheries policies of Labour and National, with the Government nervous about the effect some of its conservationist actions have had on recreational fishing, and thus more willing to listen.

Both parties are committed to the Quota Management System and say they will increase the number of fisheries compliance officers and make efforts to tackle poaching, while Labour says it will tighten customary fishing rules.

National pledges to cut compliance costs and red tape for industry; to halt the introduction of high-seas migratory fish into the quota system until international agreements are in place, and to revoke plans to give Maori quota to high-seas fish; and to stop the Department of Conservation from acting in a dual role over marine reserve applications.

Labour's focus is on environmental issues, including prevention of seabird and marine mammal bycatch and safeguards for Maui's and Hector's dolphins.

Labour says it will continue liaison with recreational fishers through the new advisory panel. Unfortunately, that panel is seen by many amateur groups as party-appointed and with a Labour bias.

Labour will continue a review of amateur regulations as advised by the Recreational Fishing Council. But again, the council is not a voice of authority for some amateurs.

Both parties say they will encourage research into stock management and sustainability - but are short on detail.

The kahawai issue that is of such importance to amateurs appears to have slipped by both.

In the background to any fisheries policy is the work of the ministry, driven by the fact that New Zealand earns about $1.3 billion a year from the export of seafood. The sector employs 10,000 people directly and provides on-shore jobs for a further 16,000.

That is always going to swing decisions over the amateur sector, which struggles for cohesion as well as the financial clout to ensure representation. It is only the recent work of option4 that has bought issues such as kahawai management under the quota into focus.

Labour has added 50 species to the system in the past three years, from shellfish and sea cucumbers to crabs, mullet and big pelagics.

The amount of work required for recreational interests to be assessed and represented is huge.

Whichever party wins, disagreements loom between industry and the recreational sector. First there's the kahawai case, which is now before the High Court, with option4 and others seeking an order that the minister review his decision, and second, the allocation of snapper stocks in the North Island west coast area SNA8, which is severely depleted.

Amateurs would like to see greater consideration given to their views in terms of quota management decisions and preservation issues, including marine reserves, plus more research to quantify stocks. Neither party appears to further that.

The fishing has been great as weather has been good. The regular southeasterlies which kill the bite have been punctuated by days where a limit bag of snapper in the 2-4kg range is readily available.

The fish are in very close to rocks and often in very shallow water. Gutting shows they are feeding on limpets, periwinkles, small crabs and worms.

The bite is often very soft, even with big fish. Best method is strayling with as little weight as possible, using a slow retrieve or conversely allowing the bait to slowly walk across the bottom as it is taken away with current.

All baits seem to work and tougher ones such as squid and octopus, or fresh fillets, give better durability.

On the Manukau, trevally are schooling and some are up to 5kg line-busters. They are round the mussel beds, especially from Cornwallis towards the mouth.

Best baits are pipi or tuatua, on 3/0 hooks.

There are also gurnard in the flats above the channels at full tide and on the sides on the outgoing runs. Use green or red-and-blue flashers and cubes of bonito.