myopsida said:
I agree, a great start, but it will make it impossible to get any additional protected areas in coastal and offshore reefs in trawlable depths which are at greatest risk!
M, a 'little bird' tells me that there is 'ongoing consultation' regarding the NE coast of North Island, which has been specifically excluded from consideration in this first proposal (so we'll not discount the possibility of something happening in that region in the not-too-distant future). The Kermadec closure is undoubtedly the most important of all - the scale of that truly impresses me - it is a staggering concession on the part of the industry. My only comment today, because I have been quoted as saying that "I'll give the fishing industry a day off from criticism" (unusually generous of me; it's probably giving myself a day off more than anything), is that I would have liked to have seen something substantial set aside on the Norfolk & Lord Howe Rise's (mostly in international waters, so not really relevant here), and the Macquarie Ridge/Puysegur Trench region.
The good thing about this is that the industry have shown their cards, and they consider the figure of 30% to be the baseline starting point for negotiation.
I remain a positive chappy. The tide has turned.