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Maori and recreational divers in Otago have met with the Ministry of Primary Industries at Otakou Marae this week to spell out their objections to opening up four closed areas to commercial divers.
Paua to the People spokesperson Kees Meuws says the reserves were closed off 20 years ago, and they are proving a useful resource for the non-commercial sector.
He says the industry underestimated the use and value of the areas to non-commercial users, and its
application was driven by greed, not need.
"They have the whole coastline to fish. They have a lot of areas where they can go and fish and take their quota. What they are proposing is opening up these little smidges in the edges just so they can get their catch quicker," Mr Meuws says.
Paua to the People hopes for a response from Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy before the end of the year.
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