Kia ora Friend, Kahawai - "strong in the water". Today marks the 15th anniversary of the day the Supreme Court ruled on the Kahawai Legal Challenge.
On May 28th 2009 the Supreme Court found that while the Minister has wide discretion when making fisheries management decisions, the allowances that must be set aside for Māori customary and recreational interests must be reasonable, in all circumstances. And, that in some circumstances, when providing for our social, economic and cultural wellbeing, it may be reasonable for the Minister to fix the commercial catch limit at zero.
While the Minister's 2010 kahawai decision was disappointing, application of that discretion in 2013 meant the Minister set aside a greater allowance for recreational interests in the northeast snapper fishery (SNA 1) in 2013. More recently, we celebrated David Parker's precautionary decision for the west coast snapper stock (SNA 8) in 2021.
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The Kahawai Legal Challenge to the Minister of Fisheries' 2004 and 2005 decisions for the future management of kahawai was heard in the High Court in 2006. The Court's 2007 decision was a win for recreational interests. Subsequent Court of Appeal (2008) and Supreme Court (2010) decisions clarified a number of contentious points of law and unfortunately overturned some of the earlier rulings from the High Court. Significantly, the Challenge was the first time that recreational fishers and Māori had worked together through the Courts to challenge how all fisheries are managed. The common objective was to achieve more sustainable use of our fish. |
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Kahawai is a taonga [treasure] and one of the very few fish that used to be caught relatively easily from the rocks, rivermouth or beach. Now, many of our children have grown up without knowing what a kahawai tastes like, or experienced the total joy when a kahawai is pulling hard on the line. |
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The 2024 Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show |
The Hutchwilco Boat Show has wrapped up, and what an incredible weekend it was! We had a significant presence, and it was fantastic to connect with so many people who are passionate about LegaSea and fisheries management. LegaSea Stand Our team was thrilled to engage with visitors about the pressing issues facing our fisheries. We had insightful conversations about the Quota Management System, the over harvest of kahawai (see image above), the scarcity of scallops, and the future of fishing for the next generation. Your concerns and thoughts were invaluable. |
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We also offered the chance to win a bounty of LegaSea prizes worth $3000, which attracted many participants. Additionally, Barkers was there, showcasing some of the finest LegaSea merchandise at unbeatable boat show prices and there was plenty of LegaSea/Barkers merch wandering the event the whole weekend. |
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The Kai Ika Project - Smoked Fish
For those feeling peckish, the Kai Ika team provided delicious smoked fish wings outside the bar. These smoky snacks were not only tasty but also demonstrated a sustainable way to utilise more parts of the fish - which helped demonstrate the Kai Ika kaupapa. It was a delight to see so many people enjoying them while supporting our mission to distribute fish heads and frames to a broader community.
Filleting Masterclass
Our filleting masterclasses, led by Dave Ahoia and Dallas Abel, were a highlight of the weekend. With over 30 years of experience, Dave demonstrated to the showgoers the art of filleting, skinning, boning, and processing fish heads and frames. |
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| Dave, the master filleter, in action at this years Boat Show. |
| The sessions were tailored for all skill levels, and participants were left with a deeper understanding of how to maximise the recovery of every fish and hopefully a better idea of how to effectively fillet fish. He even knocked a few off blindfolded! The sessions were tailored for all skill levels, and participants were left with a deeper understanding of how to maximise the recovery of every fish and hopefully a better idea of how to effectively fillet fish. He even knocked a few off blindfolded! |
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Overall, this year's Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show was one of the best yet. We met some incredible people, worked alongside our amazing partners, and witnessed firsthand the passion Kiwis have for the ocean and its health. An enormous thank you to XPO Exhibitions and the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show for making this event possible and helping us bring our passion for the seas to life. We can't wait to see you all again next year! |
Ngā mihi nui, Benn and the LegaSea team LegaSea appreciates the ongoing support of our Platinum and Gold partners - |
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