Mike Finlayson: Will fisheries reach a tipping point in NZ?

Mike Finlayson

Last week I was privileged to attend the Environmental Defence Society's Tipping Points conference in Auckland. A tipping point is where a system can collapse beyond recovery.

Newfoundland's cod fisheries were a salutary message in how not to manage fish stocks. Commercial fishers knew the fishery was collapsing, as they had to fish harder and longer to catch their quota. It all looked good to the government department that was monitoring it - fish stocks were fine; constant catch levels told them so.

They weren't listening to locals who tried to warn them. What did they know? Turns out they knew a helluva lot. Within two years of being warned the fishery collapsed, with not enough fish left to reproduce and build up numbers again, and 25 years down the track it still hasn't recovered.

Could the same thing be happening here? We are told that our Quota Management System is world-leading and will to protect our fish stocks from collapse. But will it?

I heard plenty of evidence that our commercial fishers are finding it difficult to fill their snapper quota in some areas, and if snapper are having a hard time breeding then the rest of the fishery is in serious trouble.

To compound the problem about 750,000 tonnes of sediment is being washed into the Kaipara Harbour annually.

This is where most west coast snapper originate from, and if sediment build-up reaches a tipping point, and makes it difficult or impossible for snapper to breed, then Houston, we have a problem.

Your regional council is working to reduce sedimentation by doubling the number of poplar poles produced at its nursery at Ruakaka and increasing the environment fund to help more farmers fence and plant their streams and rivers. If you'd like to see exactly how effective riparian management is then have a look at
www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/95616732/science-shows-riparian-plantings-are-keeping-streams-clean; if you are a farmer and want some help then check out www.nrc.govt.nz/Environment/Land/Water-quality-improvement/ for how we can help you make a farm plan that will conserve your soil and improve water quality.

The NRC will also be working with the DOC/Fonterra Living Waters partnership alongside Landcare Research on a $3 million-plus project to improve the Northern Wairoa River's water quality, including sediment mitigation.

It is imperative that we don't get into the blame game and start pointing fingers. There are issues with both town and country. Some town sewerage treatment systems aren't up to scratch, and the difficult part will be who funds the infrastructure upgrades that are required. What happens on the land directly affects our marine environment, and we will need to work together for cleaner water and better fishing.

mikef@nrc.govt.nz