Response to an article in the Central Hawkes Bay Mail, labeling the NZFFA a bunch of stirrers!

The New Zealand Federation Of Freshwater Anglers agrees with Trevor Cardo (25/1/2011 CHB Mail) on the need for courtesy when on private property.  The Federation agrees, that anglers should seek permission were possible from the
landowner before entering private land to fish.  The NZFFA is totally opposed to the concept of wander at will and asks all Anglers to abide with the New Zealand Walking Access Commissions code of conduct when on private property.

The Federations concerns are not that we expect more than any other angler, far from it.  Our concerns arise because of the exclusive capture of some of New Zealands finest fishing waters, which are been closed up for commercial gain from those who wish to make profit out of a public resource.

Trevor has labeled, the NZFFA and myself as stirrers.  What the NZFFA wishes to achieve is to protect our egalitarian freshwater fishery as it was, before exclusive capture raised its ugly head.  We wish to stop this activity, so future generations of young New Zealanders and Overseas Visitors can have access to all rivers within New Zealand without having to pay large amounts of money to fish its outstanding waters.  We have no problem with anglers hiring
guides and charging clients, but stand firm on exclusive capture by those who practice this form of profiteering.

If the NZFFA is labeled stirrers or a red necks, to help stamp out illegal charging to fish New Zealand rivers, we will wear that title with pride.

Again I quote the Wild Life Act Sec 23, which states that no person shall sell for fee or reward the rights to hunt or kill game etc, and the Conservation Law Reform Act Section 26ZN which states every person commits an offence who sells or lets the right to fish in any freshwater.

Jim Hale
President NZFFA.