On the 15th of July, minister of Nature, Mr. Ursell Arends held a meeting with a big group of spear fishers. During this meeting he explained to the group his intention to regulate spearfishing through legislation, instead of completely forbidding the activity.
According to a press release, the intention was to introduce a new policy starting today, 1st of August, but the minister explained that in order to leave enough space to include every stakeholder in the process, the period of toleration policy (gedoogbeleid) was extended, while the new policy is being materialized.
In keeping with his promisses, Arends had the opportunity to dialogue with stakeholders – professionals, authorities, fishermen and environmentalists – on the topic of regulation. From the group of fishermen, six people were appointed to partake in the sessions in order to finalize the definitive policy. The people appointed all practice the activity, and this way can bring knowledge and experience from the point of view of the fishermen, to create a policy that all involved parties can support. The people in question are Frederick Quandus, Marvin Thiel, Edward Dirksz, Bogdanovic Carolina, Jonathan Koole and Aby Kock.
Based on conversations with stakeholders and taking into consideration reports, agreements, treaties and advice, the conclusion was reached, with wide support, that spearfishing is one the most sustainable ways of fishing as long as it’s well regulated and controlled.
“Policy is decided among the people and with the people”, Arends said once again. With the new management, spearfishing is allowed to continue in a controlled manner, and in a way that according to the minister, can promote sustainability through cooperation for, among other, data collection.
Arends said to be happy with the progress and collaboration, and expects to be able to finish the process to introduce legislation for responsible and efficient spearfishing.
Currently according to law spearfishing is not permitted. The activity is taking place solely because of a policy of tolerance which allows people who have a permit to practice this activity, but under very strict laws – and according to the fishermen, these are dangerous.
According to Arends, there is an opportunity to use the knowledge and experience of these fishermen to nature’s advantage, and also to collect the necessary data to measure the impact – negative or positive – of policy and regulation on our marine life and the quality of the water in our oceans.
Together with all relevant departments, Arends and his team heard and dialogued with the spearfishermen where they brought forward their positions and worries so that the government, in turn, could take these into consideration when drafting a spearfishing policy.
Arends said in a press release on the 15th of July that they will continue the discussion together with a representative group named by the fishermen, to continue collaboration in order to reach a policy that both fishermen and environmentalists can live with.
