36 | Speaking up for fishing T T from page 34 NZ Federation of Commercial Fishers - Talleys REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “There’s a lot that people can’t see, and the anti-fishing lobby really take advantage of this by painting an awful picture that distorts the truth,” Doug says. “Fishers are trawling over sandy and muddy seafloor, not coral or rocks – they can’t risk wrecking their nets. Their carbon footprint is a lot less than other food producers, being close to shore and low-impact. They keep wide berths around the many marine reserves and areas closed to fishing. “They use technology and talent to target their catch, deploy effective acoustic devices to deter dolphins from coming too close, and set nets with mesh large enough for smaller fish to swim out of. “They report their catch, and bycatch, in near real-time, through satellites and GPS mapping. As well as reporting, there is intensive recording through on-board cameras installed in recent years.” Doug says while people love to eat fish, they sometimes get caught up in the hate promulgated against fishers. The anti-fishing campaign’s characterisation of the industry as an environmental rogue is grossly unfair, he says. It also takes its toll – keeping industry wellbeing organisations like FirstMate busy. Over the years, the federation has produced resources, the latest being a unique animated video showing the seafloor mapping of inshore fishing grounds, with a focus on the top of the South Island. The animation is data visualisation, where Ministry for Primary Industries’ data (fishing spatial data from the 12 nautical mile inshore limit) has been turned into a heat map. People are often surprised when they see just how compact the inshore fishing trawl footprint is, says Doug, and appreciate seeing where their gurnard comes from. Another new resource is a series of nine short videos that, using a 3D representation, break down the different parts of a trawl net, as it looks like underwater. It’s all part of the federation’s aim to be open about fishing, and to help people make a balanced, informed view about fishing and about the foods they buy and consume. REFRIGERATION SPECIALISTS IN: 8 Gloucester St Nelson, Ph: 03 546 9219, Email: office@sturrocks.co.nz www.sturrockandgreenwood.co.nz • Commercial refrigeration • Marine refrigeration • Industrial refrigeration • Cool room / freezer room design and build • Cool room hire • Air-conditioning • Heat pumps • Commercial cabinet sales and service AFFORDABLE, PREMIUM GRADE COMMERCIAL FISHING GEAR, THAT WON'T LET YOU DOWN Seafish Systems has been providing top quality products to the commercial fishing industry for more than 25 years. Being a family operated business, our overheads are low, allowing us to provide premium products at a ordable pricing. SEAFISH HAS A NEW CAPTAIN! Visit us at our NEW LOCATION: www.seafishsystems.co.nz 10/69 Captain Springs Road, Onehunga 021 272 2543 We're on a Mission to Beat Every NZ Price. Come on In! Wellington spear fisher Cole Robinson (left) won the Sunderland Marine Young Fisher of the Year Award at this year’s Federation Conference awards. Cole is pictured with his Strait Speared business partner,Thomas Strawbridge. Photo: Paul Petch.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=