The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand has slammed the government for retaining commercial catch allowances for kahawai one zone, which stretches from North Cape down to the East Cape.

Association co-chairman, Tony Orman, says the government's decision will continue the mismanagement of a fishery.

'It's giving the green light to continued plundering by corporate purse seiners and the red light to the public's recreational need,” says Tony.

He says under fisheries law the minister was required to give full consideration to social, economic and cultural well-being.

'It was even doubtful if the plundering of kahawai was in economic interests of New Zealand as at its selling price of about 40 cents a kilogram, the fishery was of extremely low value commercially.”

Tony says Minister of Fisheries, Phil Heatley, has shown an indifferent approach in light of court challenges over mismanagement of kahawai.

'He has reduced overall allowances for recreational interests by 48 per cent and for customary fishing by 60 per cent.”

'The commercial catch limit remains the same. This is inequitable, as all three sectors have the same percentage cuts.”