Fish Mainland is a new not-profit organisation with the aim of providing a unified voice for the marine recreational fishing community in the South Island and Stewart Island.
Fish Mainland's establishment has received an unprecedented level of support. Its benefits are apparent to fishing clubs, other organisations and individuals. Many of them have recognised the need for collective representation. They realise that if joined together, they can accomplish a lot more than if they continue to work individually or in small groups.
The South Island Iwi and commercial fishing interests also recognise the benefits of having an organisation that is mandated to represent recreational fishers' interests. Fish Mainland has the in-principle support of all nine South Island Iwi, along with the support of the commercial fishing representative organisations that will directly engage with Fish Mainland.
Fish Mainland considers it has designed the best possible means of building a mandate for representation, based on a democratic electoral system. Fish Mainland members will have the right to nominate and elect five regional Directors, and Iwi will appoint two other Directors.
Recently the Minister of Fisheries, Hon Stuart Nash, endorsed the approach taken to establish Fish Mainland. Minister Nash stated, however, that it is not a Government priority to commit funding for Fish Mainland at this time.
This position is understandable, given the need for all available resources to go towards eliminating COVID-19, lifting the Alert Level 4 as soon as is warranted and diminishing the economic disruption that so many are experiencing.
The Working Group that designed Fish Mainland, as acting Directors, has requested the opportunity to re-visit this matter with the Minister when circumstances become more favourable, given the clear benefits for Government when Fish Mainland is established as intended.
Fortunately, The Nature Conservancy, which has supported Fish Mainland’s development during the last two years, is able to help build Fish Mainland’s fundraising capability. The Working Group has already begun to work with their professional fundraisers to pursue opportunities that we hope will allow Fish Mainland to become operational soon and build capability over time.
We urge you to visit Fish Mainland’s website www.fishmainland.nz and show your support by signing up as a member for free and considering whatever donation you can provide during this difficult time.
Spread the word to fellow fishers to ensure they are aware of Fish Mainland and encourage them to show their support by joining and donating.
Please direct any Fish Mainland enquiries to: info@fishmainland.nz