Govt bid rejection leads to delay

A bid to increase fishing licence fees has been blocked by the Government, leading to a delay in licence sales for the new season from October 1.

Fish and Game New Zealand proposed an increase in the whole season adult's licence from $105 to $109 for the 2009-10 season and that other categories of licences increase by proportion, but that was declined by Associate Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson.

The argument over the fees meant the deadline for having them approved was missed and, instead of going on sale from last month, they are expected to be available from next week.

Fish and Game chief executive Bryce Johnson said the process for setting licence fees was complex, involving consultation with 12 Fish and Game regions, government agencies, approval by the Minister of Conservation and then being gazetted in the annual Anglers Notice before being printed for sale.

That left little room for unexpected disruption.

This year, Fish and Game met its deadlines, seeking a 3.8% increase in the adult licence fee - about the cost of inflation - to recover costs.

Mr Johnson said the increase "amounted to 1c a day or 1 the retail price of flies".

However, Ms Wilkinson declined the increase on the grounds of the economic recession, and the zero increase in Department of Conservation hut fees and Lake Taupo fishery licence fees (administered by Doc).

However, Fish and Game believed her reasons were not valid and appealed the decision, based on the grounds the increase was attributable to the cost of managing the fishery.

Ms Wilkinson reviewed her decision, but determined the licence fees should remain the same.

She acknowledged Fish and Game's recommendations carried a great deal of weight, the increase was less than that sought last year and accepted some costs could not be controlled.

However, she said Fish and Game could rely on reserves to cover any shortfalls during the year.

Mr Johnson said the 2009-10 licence fee was below that required to meet the real costs of managing the sport fishery.

"Erosion of reserves to a level where they no longer provide for good financial management will simply require greater fee increases in the future," he said.

He also warned that key priorities, such as protecting habitat for fish and public access, could be affected.

david.bruce@odt.co.nz

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