“All Fishers Are Equal Before Fish”. The Significance of Integrating the Recreational Sector into Fisheries Management

Abstract

There is increasing recognition of the sociocultural, economic, and ecological significance of recreational fishing as a fundamental element of the global wild capture fisheries. In New Zealand, recreational fishing is a very popular activity that many New Zealanders identify with, and that provides a variety of social, cultural and economic benefits for New Zealanders. Despite the significance of the recreational fishing sector as a resource user and contributor to fisheries impacts, it has gained little attention within fisheries management in New Zealand. Using the Hauraki Gulf as a case study, this research investigates the efforts to manage the New Zealand recreational fisheries sector within the current centralised management regime. To ensure the future sustainability of the fisheries resources and the health of the marine ecosystem, this research argues the importance of integrating the recreational fisheries sector into fisheries management. This involves examining current fisheries management in New Zealand, specifically the Quota Management System (QMS), and factors affecting the integration of the recreational sector. This research also considers the potential of Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) as a holistic approach to provide for the interests, needs and values of all stakeholders while also maintaining the health and function of the marine ecosystem. To achieve the research objectives, a qualitative methodology was adopted. In addition to the case study, key methods employed for this research were semi-structured interviews with recreational fishers and other stakeholders, and questionnaires with recreational fishers. The key findings highlight the importance of understanding the complex and dynamic nature of the sector so as to improve management of the sector. The research also indicates that participation and involvement of the recreational sector in fisheries management would remain limited if the legislative rights of the recreational sector under the Fisheries Act were not addressed and the distrust recreational fishers have towards the commercial sector and government was not resolved. Finally, the successful integration of the recreational sector also depends on the ability of recreational fishers to organise themselves and resolve their internal issues. The failure to do so would most likely see the continuation of current centralised fisheries management regime, where recreational fishers remain reliant on the voting booths to make their voices heard, and their direct influence on decision making remains limited.