Two matters have been brought to my attention this week. The Fresh Water Action Plan and angler behaviour.

Fresh Water Action Plan

I have appreciated receiving this statement from EDS.  The Advocates committee has followed with interest the development of this plan.

Media Release: EDS welcomes first stage of freshwater action plan

The Environmental Defence Society welcomes today’s announcement by Ministers Adams and Guy that the Government has finalised the first stage of an action plan to improve the way freshwater is managed.

“The Government has adopted the Land and Water Forum’s recommendation that a collaborative planning process be made available for freshwater issues,” said EDS Chairman Gary Taylor.

“This will give councils an alternative to the current plan making process. Collaboration is quite different from consultation. It engages parties in constructive dialogue, rather than adversarial behaviour and litigation. And having limited appeal rights incentivises people to engage.

“The first stage of the reforms will also involve the creation of a National Objectives Framework, which was a key recommendation of the Land and Water Forum.

“The development of a robust National Objectives Framework is critical to the future of freshwater policy, as it will guide objective and limit setting around the country. If the objectives are too weak, the package of reforms simply won’t achieve the improved water quality New Zealanders are seeking.

“EDS is looking forward to the opportunity to engage on the content of the National Objectives Framework.

“Ministers have also dropped the idea of changing the process for Water Conservation Orders. That is a very good thing. Water Conservation Orders are important protection measures for wild and scenic rivers and need to be retained.

“What would be helpful now would be for Ministers to release a timeline for implementation of the balance of the Land and Water Forum’s recommendations,” Mr Taylor concluded.

 

 

Angler Etiquette

I received this email from a concerned member about behaviour at the Bridge Pool.

Hi,

I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to fish the Tongariro River on a number of days over the year.  I understand the Licence regulations and stick to them. When I bag out I bag out – I stop fishing (albeit I prefer on most occasions to release).

It concerns me greatly (as it does with a number of anglers) to see the debacle that is going on in the upper bridge pool at present. I fished it on and off on Thursday to Saturday and saw several locals drag out 10+ fish each day, all killed, a number given away. This is a disgrace, the quality of fish being killed are 2 – 3 year breeding stock which will impact on future years runs. You need to get stuck into these guys and stop this in its tracks, it a really bad look for Turangi, the Tongariro and the sport of fly fishing in general. If these guys can learn to count to 3 it will help things hugely, tell them also to get the campsite off the river, again a really bad look for this world renowned fishery.

I trust you take on board these comments and put in place actions to deal with this fiasco.

Further as a suggestion I would propose you put in place a 50m reserve downstream of the bridge. The fish only stop there because of this man made structure. That way the fish will get up into the bridge system and allow anglers to have a shot at them over the entire river.

Sincerely,

A response received

Why isn’t the writer, or anyone else seeing this illegal nonsense, calling the Taupo Ranger on 0274424962?  We should all have this number in our cell phones.  Tight lines

and

the important message is that DOC cannot  police the rules without community support.
All the best

Some years ago when I was a committee member of TALTAC I assisted Alan Cooper the then President of TALTAC put up signs around the Tongariro River stating Fishing manners. Alan was very strong on fishing manners. One sign still remains on the track leading from the Blue Pool to the sand Pool.  The manners stated are the manners around the world. The Tongariro as a major trout fishing river attracts a wide range of anglers from novices to experts. Unfortunately, with the good chance of catching a fish, ignorance and bad manners are far too common.

The Advocates are a voice and are pleased to bring your concerns to the notice of DOC as Fishery Managers. This matter has been brought to the attention of Dave Lumley as DOC Fishery Manager.

Finally

I am enjoying clear blue skies, calm, cold and snow covered mountains avoiding the wet and cold Low Pressure system stalled over the Tongariro River

 

Eric Wilson

Secretary/Treasurer