Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 21, 2018 17:27:38 GMT 12
WHITEBAITERS TAKE AIM AT CONSERVATION BILL
Whitebaiters from around New Zealand are joining forces with the West Coast Whitebaiters Association in a bid to have the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill thrown out of Parliament.
West Coast Whitebaiters Association president Cheryl Riley said it seemed the legislation was being "sneaked" through Parliament.
Support had rolled in from whitebaiters around the country saying the bill was flawed, with little or no consultation, and included a "racial element".
"Whitebaiters, farmers and rural communities are deeply suspicious that the bill is being sneaked through Parliament without anyone noticing," Mrs Riley, of Hokitika, said.
Commercial eel industry, flounder and mullet fishermen were also opposed, and expressed doubts about how iwi exemptions could be implemented.
Bill Chisholm, representing freshwater fishermen, said the proposed exemption for Maori under treaty settlement rights could prompt accusations of race-based legislation.....
www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/whitebaiters-take-aim-conservation-bill
Whitebaiters from around New Zealand are joining forces with the West Coast Whitebaiters Association in a bid to have the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Bill thrown out of Parliament.
West Coast Whitebaiters Association president Cheryl Riley said it seemed the legislation was being "sneaked" through Parliament.
Support had rolled in from whitebaiters around the country saying the bill was flawed, with little or no consultation, and included a "racial element".
"Whitebaiters, farmers and rural communities are deeply suspicious that the bill is being sneaked through Parliament without anyone noticing," Mrs Riley, of Hokitika, said.
Commercial eel industry, flounder and mullet fishermen were also opposed, and expressed doubts about how iwi exemptions could be implemented.
Bill Chisholm, representing freshwater fishermen, said the proposed exemption for Maori under treaty settlement rights could prompt accusations of race-based legislation.....
www.odt.co.nz/regions/west-coast/whitebaiters-take-aim-conservation-bill