b'Feature Expect to see more trawlers out on the west coast targeting snapper as they are allowed to take up to 2240 tonnes annually! Photo credit: LegaSeaFisheries NZ has missed an opportunity to prioritise feeding Kiwis first. Clearly the Ministers priority is to increase the export of snapper across the ditch to Australia for as little as $11.80 a kilo.Our priority is more fish in the waters on the west coast of the North Island. A healthier fishery would benefit everyone, from people who fish for a living to those that cast an occasional line out from the wharf. In making his decision, its obvious the Minister has not acted in the long-term interests of our kids or the environment.BAITFISH AT RISKJack mackerel and pilchard stocks on the west coast were also reviewed this year. The Minister has decided to increase the commercial catch limits for both of these trawl caught baitfish species. We opposed any commercial catch increases for Jack mackerel, and a modest increase forAnglers on the west coast have the North Island pilchard populationenjoyed good snapper fishing with better stocks that finally (PIL 8) because they are an importantrecovered after the commercial link in the marine food chain. overfishing from the 1980s.34FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE'