Cod law suit withdrawn

A legal challenge to the Marlborough Sounds blue cod fishing ban is officially off the table as its proponent expresses satisfaction with the creation of the Blue Cod Management Group.

Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod Sustainability Society spokesman Andrew Meehan said the management group, which has been charged with developing a long-term fishery management plan to overturn the ban earlier than its intended four years, meant the lawsuit was futile.

"There's no point for it [the legal challenge] now as what's happening is exactly what we wanted to achieve."

The four-year recreational blue cod fishing ban in the enclosed Sounds was implemented last October by former fisheries minister Jim Anderton to rebuild "dramatically depleted" stocks.

In early November Mr Meehan announced the society's plans to take the "fundamentally flawed" decision, which it said was based on poor consultation and science, to the High Court in Wellington.

It wanted the court to reverse the ban and impose a new fine-scale management plan.

In early January Mr Meehan announced the society was working with the fisheries ministry to avoid litigation and had put its challenge on hold.

Mr Meehan said the society now planned to meet with the management group to discuss its views.

"We are delighted with the progress that has been made and I think many stakeholders like us think this group is going to develop a robust plan."

The Blue Cod Management Group was officially announced by fisheries minister Phil Heatley just over a week ago.

The group, which has been meeting since December, is charged with coming up with a long-term blue cod management plan which Mr Heatley will consider.

The group is chaired by Ministry of Fisheries senior analyst Dave Scranney and includes five people with strong links to the Marlborough Sounds: Beryl Archer, Mark Baxter, John Duncan, Michael Hill, and Eric Jorgensen.

- The Marlborough Express