Press release- NZFFA
The Government has replaced the Resource Management Act (RMA) with two new laws Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill which the NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers say weakens environmental protection.
Federation spokesman Jason Foord said the RMA specifically protected rivers by recognising the habitat of trout and salmon as a key indicator species for freshwater health.
“It’s a parallel to the canary in the coal-mine concept,” he said. “If the needs of trout and salmon are met, then that sets a benchmark of quality for aquatic health which then benefits indigenous fish, invertebrates and public recreation such as swimming, canoeing and others.”
Minister for RMA Reform Chris Bishop whose electorate is in Lower Hutt said in welcoming the RMA replacement laws that they would “deliver effectively for the environment”. However under the original Resource Management Act, the Hutt River over some three decades in the minister’s electorate had been cleaned up and was now a rapidly restored brown trout fishery and a popular public swimming and recreation area.
Jason Foord said Minister Chris Bishop’s track record as co-promoter with Resource Minister Shane Jones for the Fast Track Approval Act did not inspire confidence.
“Perhaps he could explain to his electorate why he sees the Hutt River trout fishery as of lesser importance than before? The point is by specifying trout and salmon populations, it sets a bench mark for life-supporting capacity. Now it’s vague and nebulous and frankly making the environmental future fragile especially in the light of Fast Track type laws,” said Jason Foord.
In addition the new laws fail to safeguard and enhance public access which is vital for not just the angling public but other outdoor recreationalists such as swimming, picnicking, boating and others, he said.
Well done NZFFA
I wonder how exploitive ministers like Chris Bishop and Shane Jones and the sycophantic ministers around them will explain to their grandchildren why the environment has been trashed? Make no mistake, this gutting of the RMA is the ugly sister of their Fast Track Approvals Bill.
The politicians concerned should note that 178,000 people (most are voters) buy a Fish and Game licence each year and so are in the outdoors noticing the consequences of poor guardianship of our environment.