May 18, 2016
Greens slam quota effectiveness
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says the quota fisheries management system is fundamentally flawed and needs a review.
The QMS has come under scrutiny because of claims by Auckland University researchers of gross under-reporting of catch stretching back decades.
Fishing companies have rejected the report.
Ms Turei says even if the research is wrong, the quota management system hasn’t stopped some fisheries getting close to collapse.
That has also concerned iwi.
"Some iwi are doing amazing things, they’re retiring their quota, this is particularly for tuna (eels), there are lots of iwi who say they won’t fish their allowable catch because they’re worried about the stocks so there are some really good things happening, but overall the quota management system is not making sure we have a sustainable fish stock," Ms Turei says.
She says the fishing industry has too much control of the way fisheries policy is developed.
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