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Minutes of a Meeting of Otago Fish & Game Council
held on Thursday 16th June 2011
at Golden Gate Lodge, Cromwell
Commencing at 12.30 pm
1.0 PRESENT:
Monty Wright (Chair), Dave Witherow, John Barlow, Vicky Whyte, Ray Grubb, Dan
Rae, Alan Hammond, Adrian McIntyre and Dr Terry Broad (Ngai Tahu)
In attendance: Niall Watson (CE), Murray Neilson (DoC), Otago Daily Times reporter,
Southland Times reporter, Rasmus Gabrielsson (part meeting).and Cliff Halford (part
meeting).
Apologies: Ian Cole, Dr John Jillett, Dr Colin Aldridge and Mike Turner
2.0 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest.
3.0 MINUTES
It was resolved (Whyte/McIntyre)
That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the Thursday the 14th April
2011 at Tapanui be approved as a true and correct record.
4.0 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES – 14h April 2011
4.1 Diamond Lake – Mr Gabrielsson explained that there had been a useful meeting on
site and that proposals for a land swap in conjunction with tenure review were to be
refined including the laying off of a reasonable buffer zone of wetland adjacent to the
lake. He expected more discussion with DOC and the landholder in an effort to reach
agreement.
4.2 Waitiri Road Stopping - The CE said that he understood the QLDC had decided to
have a seminar on public roads following input from the Walking Access
Commission. He said that while the outcome of road stopping proposals on Waitiri
Station looked satisfactory, QLDC were still intending to use the Public Works Act
rather than the Local Government Act, which denied the opportunity for an appeal to
the Environment Court. The need for a clear paper trail was noted
4.3 Proposed South Island Forum – The CE said that he had raised the matter of the
next South Island Forum with Central South Island. CSI had offered to host the next
event at the Dunedin forum in September 2010.
4.4 Takitoa Wetland – The CE said the Council would not be in a position to apply for a
Game Bird Habitat grant this year but that investigation work had recently been
undertaken involving the digging of test pits. There was discussion about the
stability of the existing bottom bund wall and whether development would proceed
based on ponds or bunds. Mr Watson said that all options were still open. One
suggestion was that bunds be excavated and roughly constructed and left to dry for a
season before being finished off because of the soggy nature of the soil.
4.5 Clutha Salmon – The CE explained that there was a planned Clutha River
management meeting coming up in the next six weeks and that Contact Energy had
been advised of the Council’s interest in sourcing salon for release from within the
Clutha River system.
There was a discussion about options for salmon enhancement and Mrs Whyte
expressed an interest in being involved in any meeting with Contact Energy. It was
noted that fish passes had been ruled out in the past because of their unreliability but
that trap and transport and artificial spawning sites had been considered. The aim at
this stage was to look at the adequacy of spawning grounds once numbers of fish
began to return to the system, noting that there were difficulties with monitoring in
the main stem Clutha River and with gravel starvation because of the Roxburgh Dam.
It was noted that considerable past work had been done on salmon and habitat
enhancement issues in the lower river including the efficacy of smolt releases.
The CE said there would be a report back after the meeting with Contact
In order to allow Cliff Halford to take part in the anglers notice debate it was agreed that item 8.5
be taken out of sequence.
5.0 COMMUNICATION NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL
5.1 Correspondence from NZC to Otago
5.1.1 Guides Licence Regulations
The guides licence proposal was discussed. It was noted that the Minister had
particular concerns over the legality of two proposed features which attempted
to stretch the guides licence beyond it intended purpose.
The CE noted that the guides licence was important for fisheries management
in Otago because it:
allowed the Council to know who was guiding,
enabled communication between the Council and guides and vice versa,
and
provided for a greater financial contribution to management cost from
commercial guides than that required from an ordinary angler, by way
of a guides licence fee.
It was agreed that the guides licence was essential for good management and
that the peripheral issues should be dropped.
It was eventually resolved (Barlow/Rae)
That the Council strongly support the guides licence in its simplest form in
line with the original change to the Act.
5.1.2 2011 Licence Fee Recommendations
The report on the budget round was discussed and the licence fee
recommendations of $116 for an adult whole season fishing licence and $88 for
an adult whole season game licence were noted. It was resolved
(Rae/McIntyre)
That the fees proposed for 2011/2012 be approved
5.2 Correspondence from Otago To NZC
5.2.1 Family Licence Changes
The CE advised that NZC had considered the proposal and referred it to the
licence working party. He said that while it was disappointing not to be able to
introduce it in the coming season the issue was still very much alive and was
now supported by research results from recent market surveys.
6.0 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
6.1 Administration
The CE explained some of the ‘unders’ and ‘overs’ in the income and expenditure
report.
It was resolved (Barlow/Rae)
That the finance and licence sales reports be accepted.
6.2 Species
Canada Goose Management
Mr Halford reported on a meeting with DOC to discuss goose management. He said
that with control of geese now in farmers hands DOC were looking to enable control
measures on DOC land where necessary.
Mr Grubb outlined recent liaison with high country farmers over a range of issues
involving John Barlow, Martin Clements (North Canterbury) and himself. He said
the first big issue for discussion was Canada geese. He reported that he and Martin
Clements had met Federated Farmers (FF) and attended their conference and
indicated the long term relationship with farmers was one they wanted to continue
with defined lines of communication.
He said he had addressed the FF conference and told them that geese were difficult to
manage but that Fish & Game could offer advice on management. He said FF
appeared to want to retain opportunities for hunters and were keen on a South Island
solution.
It was noted that Fish and Game could continue to maintain an expert hunter contact
list based on licenced hunters and a list of goose affected farmers with contact points
for each region. Mr Hammond noted that hunters could not be expected to support
complete removal of sub populations.
After discussion it was resolved (Rae/McIntyre)
That the Council endorse the approach taken and support continued discussions
with High Country Federated Farmers and the High Country Accord through
Messes Grubb, Barlow and Clements.
Grey Teal
Staff were asked to report on Grey Teal monitoring in support of introducing them as
a game bird at some stage in the future.
6.3 Habitat
No discussion
6.4 User Participation
No discussion
6.5 Public Interface
No discussion
6.6 Compliance
No discussion
6.7 Licencing
No discussion
6.8 Council
No discussion
6.9 Planning and Reporting
No discussion
7.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1 Clutha Fisheries Trust
Mr Rae gave a brief outline of recent Trust work including completion of otolith analysis
in Melbourne and attempts to trap the Lindis River spawning run.
7.2 NZC Meeting
Mr Witherow gave a brief report of recent business at the NZC meeting which included
discussion of a non-resident licence for blue ribbon waters, the guides licence,
Trustpower’s proposal to take water from the Rakaia and the Council’s interest in bench-
marking of Council’s staff resourcing requirements.
8.0 STAFF AND TECHNICAL REPORTS
8.1 Mt Watkins Wetland Update
Mr Trotter’s report dated 24 May 2011 was discussed. It was resolved
(Grubb/McIntyre)
That the report be received.
8.2 Update on Performance of the Greenstone Fishery
. There was a discussion about the trends in angler, guide and non resident use and
CE outlined the original objectives of the back country fishery and the controlled
fishery which related to maintaining the quality of the angling experience. In the
case of the controlled fishery the objective had been the control of angler
encounter rates. Controlling non-resident use had not been an objective and
survey results of the controlled fishery showed after an initial blip that proportions
of residents to non-residents were stable.
8.3 A Social Survey of Backcountry Anglers in the Greenstone Catchment
Mr Robertson’s report was discussed at some length. Staff were complimented
on the quality of both reports and there was a general discussion on perceptions of
crowding, demographics, displacement, management objectives, patterns in
anglers use and fish movements. It was eventually resolved (McIntyre/Whyte)
That the reports 8.2 and 8.3 be received.
8.4 2011 Game Season Opening
Mr Halfords report dated 8th June 2011 was discussed. It was resolved (McIntyre/
Barlow)
That the report be received.
8.5 Summary of Anglers Notice Submission and Final Reporting
Mr Halford introduced the report. The issues and recommendations were
considered point by point:
a) Expand Backountry Fisheries To Include Hunter, Young and Wilkin
Rivers
It was noted that a BC fishery did not mean a controlled fishery where anglers
needed to book. The CE advised that there could be some difficulty in managing
the introduction of all three rivers in one year.
However it was eventually resolved (Rae/Witherow)
That the Hunter, Young and Wilkin Rivers be designated backcountry
fisheries for the 2011/12 season.
Mr McIntyre requested his vote be recorded against the motion.
b) Bag Limit or Method Restriction on the Hunter, Young and Wilkin
Rivers
It was noted the method restrictions to fly only or the introduction of a nil bag
would in some respects be contrary to the policy objective in the Sports Fish &
Game Management Plan (SFGMP)…. ‘to minimise and simplify regulations
controlling angling and hunting so that they do not become an impediment to
participation’.
It was resolved (Rae/Barlow)
That the matter be referred for consideration as part of the SFGMP review.
c) Poolburn Bag Limit – Reduced to 2 or maybe 3 fish per day
The matter was discussed at some length. Two contrary views were expressed -
some supporting a continued ability to harvest and the others seeking more
prudent limits in the light of increasing pressure.
It was eventually resolved (Whyte/Hammond)
That the bag limit on Poolburn stay at 3 fish per day.
Mr Broad noted his support for the motion
d) Reduce Reid Lake bag limit from 3 to 1 to be consistent with Diamond
Creek
The matter was discussed and it was resolved (Whyte/Wright)
That the bag limit for Reid Lake be reduced from 3 fish to 1 fish per day.
e) Change Moke Lake Methods to Include Bait
It was noted that the liberalisation of methods fitted with the SFGMP objectives
and it was resolved (Rae/Grubb)
That bait fishing be allowed in Moke Lake
It was also noted that the lake is stocked from time to time and that stocking can
be increased if necessary.
f) Change Rees River Methods to Include Spinning Above Muddy Creek
The matter was discussed, it was noted that the upper Rees River was not a
significant back country fishery and that spin fishing would allow greater
utilisation of the area. It was resolved (Witherow/Grubb)
That legal methods for the Rees River above Muddy Creek allow spinning.
Messes Barlow and Hammond recorded their opposition to the motion.
g) Pomahaka River Method and Bag Limit Restrictions Above Parkhill
Bridge
Method restrictions and bag limits on the Pomahaka were discussed at some
length and it was eventually resolved (McIntyre/Rae)
That the current regulations on the Pomahaka river remain in place.
Mr Grubb requested his opposition to the motion to be noted.
h) Open Lake Tuakitoto and Chanel to Winter Fishing
It was resolved (Wright Moved from the Chair)
That Lake Tuakitoto and Channels be open to winter fishing.
i) Mill Creek
The opportunity to open Mill Creek to fishing above Water Fall Park was
discussed. It was noted that there was some access difficulties and that it was
only a small stream. On the other hand it was noted that the stream did provide
fishing opportunities that might facilitate junior angling.
It was eventually resolved (Rae/Grubb)
That Mill Creek be open to junior anglers if it is legally possible to do so.
j) Lower Bag Limits on Smaller Rivers including Akatore, Tokomario
and Waikouaiti from 3 to 1 Fish Per Day.
Concern was express about a loss of consistency in the regulation. Mr Rae said he
saw no reason for the Tokomario to be included in the line up.
It was eventually resolved (Whyte/Grubb)
That the Akatore and Waikouaiti Rivers bag limits be reduce to 2 fish per
day.
K) Lower Bag Limits on Lake Dunstan, Hawea, Wanaka and Wakatipu
from 6 to 3 or 4 Fish per Day
The matter was discussed at some length. It was eventually moved
(Barlow/Grubb)
That the big lake bag limits be reduced from 6 to 4 fish per day.
Mr Rae then moved an amendment that Lake Dunstan be excluded from the
motion but it lapsed for the want of a seconder.
The original motion was then put to the meeting and was lost.
It was then resolved (Rae/Hammond)
That the status quo remain on Lakes Dunstan, Hawea, Wanaka and
Wakatipu
There was a discussion about the anglers notice format and staff were asked to look at a
simplified format if possible.
It was also noted that the Schedule one of the Angler Notice meant that Otago anglers could
no longer fish once they had caught and taken their daily bag. This had come ito force in
Otago because of a drafting error. It was agreed it reduced opportunity and needed to be
corrected.
9.0 CORRESPONDENCE
It was agreed that correspondence items 9.1 -9.7 be received.
10.0 GENERAL BUSINESS
It was resolved (Grubb/Barlow)
That the meeting go into committee
(See confidential minutes)
It was then resolved (Rae/Whyte)
That the meeting come out of committee.
The meeting closed at 6.00 pm.
