The ITM Fishing Show - August 2011

The ITM Fishing Show

ITM Fishing Show

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Don’t be fooled

I’m really impressed with the conservation and sustainability ethos that seems to be growing amongst recreational fishers.

Our website and Facebook page are flooded with great pics of big snapper, kingies and marlin about to be released. And why not, as these fish captured in a picture can be savoured forever as a personal reminder of a great moment, or shared with friends, family or the whole world via the internet.

The idea of releasing big fish has gained momentum, and now I often hear people proudly boasting of the one they ‘sent home’ and how good it felt. However, there still remains a little cynicism amongst some, who suggest that if they release a fish it’ll just be snatched up by commercial fishermen afterwards. Well, it’s not a race between us and them to catch the last fish, and aside from a few rogue commercial fishers, most are not out to rape and pillage. It’s actually the fisheries managers at government level that would benefit most from more of the conservation and sustainability ethos being demonstrated by the majority of recreational fishers.

A few years back (just before the last election funnily enough), Phil Heatley, National’s spokesperson on fisheries, offered some encouraging ideas on fisheries management, including recreational-only fishing areas. Wow, what a great idea – and a good vote puller too, no doubt. Have you seen any rec-only fishing areas established? I haven’t.

Instead, commercial operators continue to get priority in most fisheries and areas, while a recent article in the Dominion-Post highlighted Mr Heatley’s idea to increase the commercial paua take in inshore areas to prevent the poachers getting them. His logic appears to be that commercial divers should take all the paua accessible to law-abiding recreational gatherers in order to stop the scumbag poachers! Sound fair to you?

Also a few weeks back, I saw a story on the news that kiwi numbers are on the decline. I thought this was an odd story to come out of nowhere, given that in our local area in the Bay of Islands kiwi numbers seem to be booming. Kiwi calls echo through the night, and I can take my kids out to see them running around in plain view. Some residents I’ve spoken to say that the kiwis are becoming a nuisance, leaving droppings on decks and keeping them awake at night. But I think it’s great that as a result of the efforts of private landowners and caring citizens, kiwis are flourishing in the north and wild kiwi can be seen running around in the open.

So the news item on TV seemed out of whack with what I was seeing. Then it registered, and I said aloud to my wife, “In the next week or so DoC is going to announce more 1080 drops.” And, sadly, I was right. The propaganda machine gets a story out to make people believe that our iconic bird is in danger of extinction, therefore justifying a terrible poison to be scattered over our land, a poison that is banned almost everywhere in the world. Shame on DoC for treating us with such contempt and trying to sell us lies! Perhaps they too can learn from the intelligent, passionate and truly conservation minded outdoors people of New Zealand.

OK, enough politics from me. I’m actually going to get out fishing this month, so will have some fishing to write about next month. Till then…
Keep ‘em tight,
Matt
www.thefishingshow.co.nz
 

 
The ITM Fishing Show August 2011 billings
7.00pm on TV3

August 6
Saltwater trifecta
Matt and the lads head off to a remote west coast spot, where they catch big snapper, kingfish and shallow water hapuku. But it’s the lengths that Matt and the boys go to in order to catch the sought-after trifecta that will impress even the most hardcore of fishermen.

August 13
Spearo vs angler
After years of skepticism, Matt finally takes the plunge into the exciting world of spear fishing, alongside three-times world champion Pedro Carbonell from Spain. Matt doesn’t speak Spanish and Pedro doesn’t speak English, yet both try to demonstrate the merits of their respective harvesting methods – spearfishing vs angling. Soon, there are crays, scallops, John dory, trevally and snapper aboard the boat, but can they land the biggest prize of all – a hard-fighting New Zealand kingfish?

August 20
On the fly
Matt and the team chopper into some of the most amazing country New Zealand has to offer, and get stuck into some epic freshwater action. Check out the stunning footage and amazing location and challenge your existing perceptions of backcountry trout fishing as Matt progresses from bumbling novice to graceful (well almost) fly fisherman in the space of an afternoon.

August 27
Shark odyssey – mako
Join Matt and the team as they continue their quest to learn more about the sharks found around New Zealand’s coast. This week we get up close and personal with one of the greatest predators of them all – the mako shark. It’s long been believed that dolphins will protect people from sharks, and we get to see what happens first-hand, as we have mako sharks, dolphins and people in the water within metres of each other. There are plenty of laughs, insights and action from both above and below the surface – an episode not to be missed.
 

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