Despite three public information sessions outlining the Ministry of Primary Industries proposed changes to snapper quotas the public is still left with a sour taste in their mouth.

On Thursday around 300 people turned out for the third and final national MPI information meeting at the Coastguard building – but were left disappointed.

Last month, MPI released a paper outlining three options for snapper regulations in SNA 1, which spans the Bay of Plenty, Hauraki Gulf and East Northland – and could see the recreational snapper limits slashed from nine to just three per person.

The release opens up a six-week consultation process for recreational and commercial fishermen to debate who should be responsible for replenishing the fishery.

Thursday's meeting follows the two meetings in Whangarei and Parnell, Auckland.

Attending the meeting was Independent Tauranga MP Brendan Horan who says people were left angry and disappointed in what was a one-sided presentation.

'People went there expecting to be able to have dialogue and instead they got posters and MPI staff talking to the posters,” says Brendan.

'I spoke to MPI staff and it's not their fault that they are only doing their bidding. But my concern is the Government is going to turn around and say ‘we ran consultation all over new Zealand'.”

Snapper 1 is New Zealand's most popular recreational fishery and is the country's fifth-most-valuable commercial fishery by asset value.

According to MPI, proposed recreational options include reducing bag limits from nine to three, increasing the minimum legal size from 27cm to 35cm, or opting for a combination of the two.

With no allocated time for feedback from the fishermen themselves, the sessions lack balance, debate or a cost benefit analysis of New Zealand recreational fishers, says Brendan.

'What has happened is quite heavy handed and commercial fishermen are unhappy and so are recreational and the only ones that are happy are the big players like Sandfords'.”

He believes the Government is not looking at the bigger picture with more than the fishers being punished – including boat makers, tackle and game shops and the tourism and accommodation industry.

'It's a billion dollar industry and none of that has been put up. It's terribly one sided and all three options punish recreational fishers.”

After putting his petition online on Thursday, the signatures are beginning to gain momentum with 900 added just online in 24 hours. In two weeks' time he will present the signatures to Parliament opposing the MPI proposals.

LegaSea spokesperson Mandy Kupenga is adamant commercial exploitation of snapper resources alienates the public from an important food source if proposed management changes are implemented.

LegaSea is a population-based advocacy group concerned with keeping fish stocks at a sustainable level for future generations.

'Many families are struggling to put decent food on the table and if the Ministry goes ahead with their plans then there will be more hardship, especially in the regions,” says Mandy.

'What we're facing is a loss of fundamental rights, a loss of income for business owners, and importantly a loss of food on the table for families.”

She says it is ludicrous all of the main options proposed mean massive cuts to recreational catch while abhorrent dumping of hundreds and thousands of undersized snapper occurs each year – by the commercial sector.

When contacted by SunLive, the Ministry of Primary Industries was unable to be reached for comment.

To further help people understand what's at stake and answer questions LegaSea is holding a series of public meetings throughout the snapper 1 region starting in Whakatane on the 5^th of August and finishing in Auckland on the 15^th of August.

More information can be found at http://www.legasea.co.nz/ while to send a submission head to http://www.legasea.co.nz/snapper1.php

To sign Brendan's petition click here.