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National Kahawai Day

National Kahawai Day is celebrated annually on the 28th of May in New Zealand to honour the significance of the kahawai fish (Arripis trutta) and to raise awareness about the challenges facing this important species. The day is closely linked to the efforts of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, a New Zealand-based organisation dedicated to the sustainable management of New Zealand’s fisheries.

Kahawai: The Fish

Kahawai, also known as Australian salmon, are a pelagic species found in coastal and offshore waters around New Zealand. They are highly valued by recreational fishers for their fighting ability and are also an important part of the marine ecosystem. Kahawai are known for their distinctive silver bodies and strong, streamlined shapes.

History

National Kahawai Day was established to commemorate the Kahawai Legal Challenge, a landmark case led by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council.

In 1986 the government introduced the Quota Management System (QMS) in an attempt to rebuild severely depleted fisheries. Kahawai were not included at the outset of the QMS because the government’s focus was on managing more valuable species such as snapper and crayfish.

Kahawai were considered the poor cousin in terms of management. In the 1980s industrial fishers used purse seiners and spotter planes to hunt kahawai rather than pay fees to catch QMS species. It was essentially an off-season fishery to keep the boats and crews working. During this period thousands of tonnes of kahawai were caught.

Many Kiwis were oblivious to the fact that very little respect was shown to the kahawai. Those that knew and objected were largely ignored by fisheries managers. People were offended that commercial interests were not selling kahawai as food, instead they were exporting them for very low returns to customers such as the Australian crayfish bait and fishmeal market.

The Kahawai Legal Challenge

The Kahawai Legal Challenge was initiated in response to declining kahawai stocks and increasing concerns about the management practices that prioritised commercial fishing quotas over recreational fishing interests.

In 2004 the Ministry of Fisheries issued a consultation document proposing several options for the future management of kahawai. The Initial Position Paper (IPP) was dated January 2004. Submissions in response to the proposals were due by 16th April 2004. option4, the NZ Big Game Fishing Council (now NZ Sport Fishing Council) and the NZ Angling & Casting Association strongly objected to the proposals and combined their efforts to submit by the deadline.

The Minister released his decision and the Final Advice Paper on 10th August 2004, with a commitment to review the decision in 2005. All parties to the original, joint submission were outraged at the decision and took action to challenge the decision.

The Minister’s decisions were considered unfair as they were not designed to rebuild the fishery to an abundant level within a reasonable timeframe. Moreover, the decisions locked recreational fishers into a proportional share while the fishery was at its lowest ever point. No account was given to the loss of access suffered by recreational fishers due to the lack of fish available, and the tonnages set aside to provide for recreational fishing were based on all-time low catches. On top of this, people were outraged that the Ministry was insisting that there was “no scarcity” of kahawai numbers.

So in 2005, another kahawai proposal document was released by the Ministry. Recreational groups combined their resources to submit on the new proposals, arguing that a 10% proportional reduction in catches on top of the 15% cut in 2004 did not address the fundamental issues of the causes of depletion nor did it provide for a faster rebuild of kahawai stocks.

The plaintiffs argued that the Ministry of Fisheries had failed to adequately consider the recreational value of kahawai and the environmental impacts of overfishing. They contended that the management decisions did not align with the principles of the Fisheries Act 1996, which requires the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources while ensuring that the needs of future generations are met.

In 2007, the High Court ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, recognising the importance of recreational fishing and the need for a more balanced approach to fisheries management. The judgment required the Ministry of Fisheries to reconsider its management decisions and to take into account the social, cultural, and economic value of kahawai to recreational fishers.

This decision was a milestone for recreational fishers and set a precedent for future fisheries management in New Zealand. It highlighted the need for transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the consideration of recreational and environmental interests alongside commercial priorities.

After this win in court, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council established LegaSea as it's public outreach organisation, to help people better understand what is going on and why more fish in the water is good for all New Zealanders.

Challenges Facing Kahawai Today

Despite the successes of the Kahawai Legal Challenge, kahawai still face several challenges:

Overfishing: While recreational fishing has been recognised and protected, commercial fishing pressures remain significant. The balance between commercial and recreational interests continues to be a contentious issue.

Habitat Degradation: Coastal development, pollution, and climate change are impacting the habitats where kahawai spawn and feed. Protecting these habitats is crucial for maintaining healthy kahawai populations.

Management Practices: Effective fisheries management requires constant monitoring and adaptation. Ensuring that management practices are based on the best available science is essential for the sustainability of kahawai stocks.

How to Celebrate National Kahawai Day

On National Kahawai Day, communities across New Zealand come together to celebrate this iconic fish. Activities typically include:

Fishing Competitions: Recreational fishers participate in friendly competitions to catch kahawai, with an emphasis on sustainable fishing practices.

Educational Workshops: Events are held to educate the public about kahawai, their habitats, and the importance of sustainable fisheries management.

Community Gatherings: Communities organise gatherings and barbecues to enjoy freshly caught kahawai and to share stories about fishing experiences.

National Kahawai Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts required to protect New Zealand’s marine resources and the importance of community involvement in conservation initiatives.

References

LegaSea. “Kahawai Legal Challenge.” LegaSea, www.legasea.co.nz/kahawai-legal-challenge.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. “Kahawai.” Fisheries New Zealand, www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/kahawai.

High Court of New Zealand. “Kahawai Legal Challenge Judgment.” 2007.

Initial Position Paper: http://www.option4.co.nz/kahawai/documents/kahipp104.pdf

Final Advice Paper: http://www.option4.co.nz/kahawai/documents/kahfap804.pdf

NZ Sport Fishing Council/LegaSea Submission: http://www.option4.co.nz/pdf/kahsoption4.pdf