August 01, 2013
Tūwharetoa looks to boost trout fishery
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board is working with the Department of Conservation on ways to grow the Taupo sports fishery.
The department commissioned an independent review of the fishery after public concerns about the health of the trout fishery and a 20 per cent drop in licence sales over the past five years,.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith says it will now be working with lake owners Tūwharetoa and other stakeholders to implement its recommendations.
The report estimated the fishery was worth at least $29 million a year and generated 300 jobs.
Recommendations include improving the fishery’s governance and management structures, changing licensing to encourage new anglers into the sport, and working better with regional tourism operators.
Trust board chief executive Tamarapa Lloyd says Tūwharetoa wants a more active role in the governance of the fishery, which is a valuable resource to the iwi culturally, socially and economically.
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