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“My statutory role under the Fisheries Act is to strike a balance between the economic benefits of squid – our most valuable fishery – and the impact on sea lions. I have to ensure any impact is sustainable and that is precisely what I did in this case. The Minister of Conservation has a statutory role to advocate a conservation viewpoint and he does this well, but I am required to make a balanced decision taking into account all factors,” Jim Anderton said.Forest and Bird responded in the media.
Mr Anderton,I got a response for Jim's advisor last time I wrote, so it'll be interesting to see if they have any information on the use of by-caught sea lions.
I write to you once again to applaud your response to criticism regarding your decision to increase the allowed by-catch of NZ sea lions for this season.
In fact, I believe your recent decisions have shown that you as Minister of Fisheries are filling the role of "conservationist" more so Minister of Conservation, who plays more of a protectionist role.
To "conserve" something implies that we humans wish to utilize whatever that resource may be, but we moderate our utilization such that it does not effect the ability of future generations to also utilize the resource (aka "sustainable use").
Protection is only useful as a means of conservation when a resource is seriously threatened, which judging the information in your press releases, is not the case for the New Zealand sea lion.
One question I do have is what becomes of the by-caught sea lions?
Indeed, if economic value could be assigned to these resources it creates an incentive for these resources to be conserved (by industry, rather than only by government), just as is the case for other fisheries. While there are direct benefits from the squid fishery, it would be wonderful if the by-caught sea lions were put to good use, also.
It must be difficult to make the right decision in cases such as these when what are essentially "anti-use" groups attack you with quite emotional arguments, but I think you have done a splendid job in this instance, and make a very compelling argument in support of your decision in your press releases.
Congratulations again, and best regards,
June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 February 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 February 2011 March 2011 May 2013 June 2013