By Emma Jolliff
Malcolm Francis is a catch-and-release fisherman who's been angling for trout in this region for 15 years. He says the best thing about fishing is the wilderness experience, and New Zealand's waterways should be open to all, not blocked off by commercial tourism deals.
“We're seeing high paying visitors coming in and having exclusive access to those areas and I think that is wrong,” says Mr Francis.
Manawatu Fish and Game regional manager Phil Teal says they're investigating how widespread the restrictions are.
“The trout are a public resource and they don't attach to any land title. By restricting access those are being captured by adjoining land owners,” says Mr Teal.
He says two contentious spots are the Upper Rangatikei and the Mohaka Rivers.
“There are access restrictions to about 40 percent of the Upper Rangatikei and that is of concern to us,” says Mr Teal.
He estimates some deals are worth around $10, 000 a year to landowners.
The Walking Access Commission says landowners are allowed to sell access across their land, but selling fishing rights is in breach of the conservation act.
But Ian Rodger, ex-president of Freshwater Anglers, says it's a moot point, whether they're actually selling access or the fishing right.
“I would suggest to you that it is against the law for a farmer, a landholder, to be having an exclusive arrangement, for pecuniary gain, for the sale of that fishing water,” he says.
But the Government says it's not a big problem
“I'm not aware of many cases at all, probably a dozen, where the public are being excluded because no public access is available for fishing spots,” says Agriculture Minister David Carter.
Mr Carter says the Walking Access Commission is working with landowners to resolve any complaints by recreational fishers.
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