Hello sponsors and supporters

Please feel free to circulate these updates as you deem fit.

Now to the update and please keep up the fantastic effort of getting the info out and raising the profile for funds. As you can well understand to do this salvage job is a monumental task that will require a huge team effort. And I am pleased to say we have an excellent team developing and on behalf of the NZRFC Recreational Fishing New Zealand's  "Fish for the future" I thank you all for your committed support.

This is a unique chance for the us all to gain acknowledgment for our commitment to our fishery and "putting something back". It is about public relations and building bridges with other stakeholders in our shared fishery. In doing so it is an important opportunity for the fishing community to demonstrate its unity and a willingness to work together in our shared fishery.

Well done to those who share the vision.

I can now confirm that we have made the commitment to purchase the farms .5 to 2kgs kingfish stock which after NIWA inspection are healthy and suitable for transfer into the wild. This is important because size is a major consideration. The farm is at North Cape and hour north of Kaitaia a long way to transport live fish at any time. Sale of the larger fish for consumption and export continues with a light at the end of this particular tunnel. We are hopeful that from now on only mortalities will be packed for ..............t

A challenge yes and one with the kind support from the professionals we will achieve.

This confirmation is subject to receiving Mfish approval early next week for their release and meet Bio securities guidelines by demonstrating the fish are disease free. I am led to believe we can meet these requirements and also satisfy the question from any environmental concern that there is no potential to release any disease, bug or parasite that is not already found naturally on kingfish in the wild.

While much of the detail has still to be worked through, we have asked for approval from the farm principles to give us an extension time to effect the necessary tagging and transfer safely of these fish into the wild. A monumental task with the larger fish being released in the north and the smaller fish many of which are from this years stock of fingerlings now the size of spring kahawai with make up the bulk of the loads that venture further south. We are at present identifying suitable sites that are near shore and provide habitat shelter and good bait food stocks.

The release site into the Hauraki Gulf has been identified as the Noises group of islands which is a known kingfish habitat, has excellent shelter cover and an abundant supply of small bait fish.
To get the truck out to the site Brett Subritzky of Waiheke Shipping has offered his barge the Port Kennedy for this task. Thanks Brett.

We are hopeful to have a website up and running shortly where all these updates will be and photos of progress, so keep an eye out for www.kingfishgowild.co.nz. Should be up and running in a modest form by Monday. We thank Larry from web4u for his kind efforts and support.

Donations are continuing with the game clubs in the north all committed. The OBC from Auckland leads the City in its commitment and Mercury Bay are with us as are many many more. Acknowledgements will follow.

To secure the fish was the easy part and the money coming in from the recreational sector will do this. A magnificent effort in such a short time by those who have supported. I am honoured as President of the NZRFC to be part of a fine recreational fishing community who care.

The hard and costly part follows and I would not have been able to commit to this project with out the huge buy in of a corporate sponsor. This announcement will be made in due course but I have to say that their support has given me the confidence and will enabled this project to proceed beyond an emotive dream.

In saying this we still need to keep the fund raising going, so please start reaching for your cheque books as I will be looking for money from next week to start meeting our commitments.

The hard work is about to begin and we are looking for those who can assist in many ways. Even if its just a bit of time or helping in tagging a lot of fish up north. Sorry the pays terrible but the company will be good.

This has been an amazing past 3 days and just as well my wife is away, because my business has been on hold. I have just realised its Friday and past beer o'clock.

Have a good weekend all and once again thanks.

Regards

Keith Ingram
President
NZ Recreational Fishing Council
4 Prince Regent Drive
Half Moon Bay
Auckland

Ph: 09 5334336
Fax:09 5334337
Mob:0274584747
Keith

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