Jones fronts Northland clubs
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones met Northland sport fishing clubs in Paihia yesterday, speaking directly with members about marlin management and the wider role of the sector. Filming from the Kerikeri Inlet after the meeting, Jones thanked club representatives and said he would take their views on board.
He noted the strength of the sport fishing scene in Northland, pointing to bait suppliers, charter skippers, boatbuilders, and the businesses that rely on a healthy recreational fishery. Jones described the session as productive and appreciated the chance to front up in person.
He also drew a sharp contrast with Saturday’s protest in Auckland, saying the discussions in Paihia were “a thousand percent better”, and adding that he still did not understand the concerns of those who joined the Harbour Bridge convoy.
No comment on Hauraki Gulf High Protection Areas
Although Jones spoke openly about marlin and the value of recreational fishing in Northland, he did not mention the High Protection Areas (HPAs) in the Hauraki Gulf.
Those new rules continue to frustrate many recreational users, especially as they allow some commercial fishing to continue while shutting out recreational fishers. For groups campaigning on access and fairness, this was the issue they expected the minister to address first.
That silence will stand out for Auckland and Gulf communities still waiting for a clear explanation of how the HPA framework was shaped and why recreational fishing was restricted while parts of the commercial sector were not.
And next…
Jones says he plans to keep meeting recreational representatives, but the lack of any comment on the Gulf means the broader access debate remains unresolved. For many, that conversation is now more pressing than marlin bycatch rules alone.
Boating NZ will continue to follow developments as pressure builds from both Northland and Auckland.
