20 Aug 2013

Maori, Pakeha unite over possible snapper cuts

6:31 am on 20 August 2013

Former Labour MP Dover Samuels says the prospect of cuts to the recreational snapper quota has united Maori and Pakeha fish lovers throughout the north.

Mr Samuels - who was once a commercial fisherman himself - still fishes but just to feed whanau and friends.

He says commercial fishing boats dump thousands of tonnes of fish every year, and there's been outrage at public meetings in Tai Tokerau that the Government is even thinking about slashing the personal limit to three snapper.

Mr Samuels says it's the birthright of New Zealanders to be able to catch fish for the table, and that should always trump commercial interests. As well, he believes Northland's east coast snapper fishery in is good heart.