Auckland Fishermen Plan Major Protest Against Gulf Protection Rules

On March 16, 2024, Auckland will witness a significant protest as fishermen, boaters, divers, and paddlers unite to express their dissatisfaction with the Government’s new regulations concerning the Hauraki Gulf. This demonstration, dubbed the One Ocean protest, involves participants towing various watercraft, from small dinghies to jet skis, through the city in a bid to “block the city with boats.” Organiser Ben Chissell has stated that the protest stems from escalating frustration among recreational fishers who believe the new rules are both unfair and illogical.

Chissell argues that the Government has imposed restrictions on recreational fishing areas while allowing commercial fishers to operate in newly designated highly protected areas (HPAs). “If recreational fishers are banned to protect the Gulf, commercial fishers should be banned too,” he asserts. The protest reflects a broader concern regarding the management of the Hauraki Gulf, which has seen significant ecological decline over the past decade.

The recent enactment of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act represents the largest expansion of marine protection in over ten years. This legislation establishes a network of new marine protected zones aimed at safeguarding sensitive habitats by prohibiting practices such as bottom trawling. It also creates HPAs where most commercial and recreational fishing is prohibited to facilitate the recovery of marine ecosystems.

Despite these protective measures, the act has faced criticism for permitting five commercial ring-net fishing operators exclusive access to certain high-protection areas, specifically in Kawau Bay and Motutapu. These operators are allowed to fish for species such as mullet and trevally during the winter months. Critics, including Chissell, view this decision as detrimental to the overall goals of the legislation.

According to Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation, the exemption for these commercial operators was necessary to provide essential protein to Māori and Pacific Island communities in South Auckland. However, documents from the Department of Conservation (DOC) reveal that officials had warned against granting such exemptions, indicating that it could undermine biodiversity outcomes and create equity issues by selectively allowing access to certain commercial interests while banning recreational fishers.

The contentious nature of this decision has led to intense debate among stakeholders. Environmental advocates at WWF-NZ have criticized the move as a result of “sleazy, backdoor lobbying,” while Seafood New Zealand defends ring-netting as a low-impact fishing method. They argue that allowing this form of fishing represents a necessary transition to protect livelihoods, although Chissell firmly disagrees, asserting that the government is still permitting commercial fishing in HPAs.

Chissell, who is organizing the protest, emphasizes the importance of addressing the precedent this decision sets for future marine protections. He highlights that the protest is not merely about fishing rights but about the principle of equitable access to resources. With backing from major fishing equipment manufacturers such as Shimano and Daiwa, the protest aims to amplify concerns over both ecological sustainability and fairness in fishing rights.

The upcoming demonstration will mark Chissell’s first experience in organizing such an event. He and many participants are expected to tow their boats approximately 30 kilometers from Albany to Mission Bay at dawn. Chissell notes the necessity of raising awareness about the ongoing issues affecting the Gulf, stating, “We care about the precedent, we care about the loopholes, the grey areas.”

As the protest approaches, the Government has expressed its respect for peaceful assembly, although officials have warned against any actions that may lead to harassment of commercial fishers. Both Potaka and Shane Jones, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, have pointed out that the legislation was a compromise, negotiating between varying interests within the fishing community.

The Hauraki Gulf remains a critical ecological area, and the recent legislative changes highlight the ongoing struggle to balance conservation efforts with the needs of local communities. The outcome of the protest may further influence the discourse surrounding marine protection and fishing rights in New Zealand.