|
Who is the NZFFA?
The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (Inc) is an affiliation of angling clubs from throughout NZ. It has been operating continuously since 1974. It is an independent organisation that represents the collective interests of the anglers who participate in freshwater sports fishing in New Zealand.
Affiliated clubs and members have full participation and voting rights within the Federation, including pparticipation in the AGM and the election of executive
officers.
The Federation works to identify and resolve national issues affecting freshwater angling in NZ, and supports member clubs and organisations in their
efforts to resolve local issues.
The Federation's strength lies in its independence and the number of anglers it represents. The easiest and most enjoyable way to participate is to join a local fishing club that is affiliated to the Federation.
However, club, individual, associate and corporate membership is available. More on the Federation: - How, and why was the NZFFA started?
- Original Aims
- Past Activities
- Relevance Today
- Current Aims and Objectives
- Current policies
- Some of todays Activities
- The last word
How, and why was the NZFFA started?
Formed in 1974 to unite the fragmented voices of anglers into one strong voice.
Proposed by Joe Townsend and Jim Connelly, building on the success of the Federation of Hawkes Bay Angling Clubs (formed to
fight the threat of trout farming).
Inaugral meeting at Turangi, with representatives from Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa and
Wellington.
The meeting expressed the view that there was great dissatisfaction amongst anglers over increasing alienation from the
management of the fisheries from national authorities and government departments.
Original Aims
From the inaugural meeting
- To protect and further the sport of angling
- To oppose and direct or indirect commercial exploitation of the sports fish and fisheries
- To oppose the charging of rights for access or sport to the public
- To encourage a full democratic voice for anglers in the administration of their sport
- To promote liaison and unification between angling clubs and groups
- To promote, by way of publicity, these ideals
Past Activities
(Some are also present activities)
- Trout farming
- Salmon farming
- Importation of trout and salmon flesh
- Channel Catfish
- Marron Crayfish
- Grass and Koi Carp
- Dam Construction
- Habitat Destruction
Relevance Today
- Many of the past threats to our freshwater recreational fisheries are still there, or keep popping back up
- There is a whole raft of new ones!
- There are more agencies, government departments and interest groups to deal with today, than there were in the past.
Current Aims and Objectives
- To protect, enhance and foster the sport and fellowship of freshwater angling.
- To foster the development and strength of angling clubs and like organisations, and to promote unity, liaison and exchange
of information between such clubs and organisations.
- To advocate the protection of New Zealand natural environment and, in particular, its freshwater ecosystems.
- To advocate the protection of New Zealand wild trout and salmon fisheries and oppose their commercial exploitation, as a
commodity, in any form.
- To promote public awareness and understanding of New Zealand's freshwater ecosystems and associated fish species,
including native species, trout and salmon.
- To promote continued and undiminished availability of public freshwater angling opportunity.
- To advocate the principle of free access to fishing water on which the egalitarian pursuit of freshwater angling is founded.
- To advocate the rights of anglers to directly participate in the administration of their sport.
- To promote communication to anglers and prospective anglers, to enhance their ability to better enjoy the sport, and develop
an appropriate sporting ethic.
- To keep members and the public informed of any plans or proposals that may have a detrimental effect on the natural
environment of New Zealand, and in particular freshwater fisheries.
- To give support to, or work in association with, any other society, organisation or agency, where such support or association
is desirable to ensure the better protection of the natural environment and to facilitate achievement of the Federations
objectives.
- To originate and distribute information by any medium which the Federation may think desirable, for the promotion of its
objectives.
Current Policies
Habitat and Species Protection:
The Federation opposes the importation and/or liberation, either for commercial farming or other reasons, of any live exotic
freshwater species it considers to pose a threat to existing NZ sport fish or their habitat.
The Federation opposes the liberation and use of diploid grass carp as an unnecessary risk, and advocates the use of triploid
grass carp where they are considered necessary for aquatic weed control purposes.
The Federation opposes the commercial farming and/or canning of trout, and the importation of fresh salmonoid flesh as risks to
NZ freshwater sports fish, and the tourism and freshwater fishing industries the sport supports in New Zealand.
Protection of anglers rights of access and the right to fish:
The Federation advocates to ensure sport fishing is available to all, under the same regulations and restrictions, administered by
DOC (Taupo) and the NZ Fish and Game Council.
The Federation endorses the establishment of a non- resident (NZ) fishing licence to be administered through the New Zealand
Fish and Game Council.
The Federation strongly opposes the introduction of tradeable water rights in any form.
The Federation is strongly opposed to landowners charging for fishing rights or the right of access to fisheries.
The Federation is currently working with PANZ and NZ Fish and Game to lobby Government for sensible laws covering access to
fisheries.
Some of today’s issues
- Biosecurity and aquatic disease issues (eg Didymo)
- Access and privatisation
- Dams
- Water pollution
- Habitat degradation
- Water abstraction
- Tradeable water rights
- Trout Farming
- Salmon and Trout flesh importation/sale
- Treaty issues
- Grass carp, Bullhead catfish, coarse and noxious fish
- Foreign ownership
The last word
Who is the NZFFA?
The Federation isn’t the President or the executive
The Federation is you, the concerned NZ angler
We thank you for your support, and for your contributions to furthering the sport locally
With your help, we are working to protect the recreation we all enjoy, and the “fellowship of the angle”
|
About Us
