On Saturday 12 Nov 2011, a couple of Fish Forever campaigners were out on their yacht. They spotted a fleet of boats fishing the Middle Ground...and counted them. The fleet numbered some 35 launches, power boats, yachts, and charter boats. They were all fishing. No doubt, they were fishing for snapper. As sea temperatures reach 18 degrees, snapper is spawning now – they’ve all come in and, consequently, the catch is both plentiful and very big.

This isn’t a tidy, measured report telling you what you already know. This is my story; notes from a marine reserve campaigner. The truth is that the Fish Forever campaign is not one you can be tidy and measured about.  This campaign is hot and twisted and contentious. It’s exciting, exasperating, rewarding and, occasionally, deathly dull. It interferes with your working life, your private life. For one week a month it becomes your life...

This is the first of a series of cartoons we're looking forward to sharing with you. Credit for their creation goes to Grant Hocking - thank you for letting us publish them on our website and for making us smile. 

The Fish Forever team were honoured to be invited for a hui at Waitangi marae last week on Friday 9 Sept. We enjoyed a night of frank, open discussion about the nature of marine protection in Northland and ways of working together for a better future for Tangaroa.

This week's edition of the Bay Chronicle gives over its letters page to responses to Peter Bodeker's open letter to Fish Forever that featured on page 3 of last week's edition. Great to see a variety of viewpoints - a children's frank explanation of why a network of no-take zones make sense, the view of a campaigner and also the view of a scientist who has dedicated his working life to the study of marine life.

Now that the campaign has been granted ASB Funding for preparation of the Discussion Document and other community consultation we are one step closer to the goal for 10% of the Bay to be protected for one generation. Please help us celebrate this milestone - so close to our 1st birthday in fact! - by sharing your stories and photos of the Bay with us on Facebook. If you're a twitterer, join our friend @Wantmorefish on Twitter. 

Today's edition of the Bay Chronicle includes a letter from Peter Bodeker, Chief Executive of New Zealand Seafood Industry Council. The letter is shown below and makes a sweeping attack on the place of marine reserves in the armoury of marine protection tools. He refers to marine reserves as a "blunt and ineffective" fisheries management tool. 

Presentation: Dr Roger Grace and Fish Forever
Venue: Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, Paihia
When: Thursday 5 May 6pm

We'll be presenting to the Swordfish Club in Paihia this Thursday to talk about the Fish Forever campaign with our recreational fishers.

Presenters include: Julie Kidman (chair) and guest speakers Vince Kerr and Dr Roger Grace. Should be an interesting evening.

Absolutely delighted to receive this letter of support from John Dawn on behalf of the Bay of Islands Underwater Club.