REPRESENTATIVES from 55 fishing clubs around New Zealand are in Whakatāne today and tomorrow for the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council annual general meeting.

The AGM and prizegiving is being hosted by the Whakatāne Sport Fishing Club, with about 160 people expected to attend from clubs ranging from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

Members will discuss the NZSFC’s community impact, how they can spread water safety awareness and share their upcoming programmes to inspire fishing activity and safety in different demographics.

Whakatāne local and NZSFC board member Heyden Johnston said topics would include the council’s LegaSea outreach, and how through the non-profit the council can fulfil its goal of giving back to the community.

The Kai Ika Project, a movement to utilise fish waste and provide to the community, will be introduced to Whakatāne following successful set-ups in Auckland and Wellington.

Edible parts of the fish that would normally have been thrown away,  will instead be distributed through the community foodbanks, marae, churches, and other organisations.

“It’s been a massive success, we are going to take everything learned from across the nation to find how we can best implement the programme in Whakatāne,” Mr Johnson said.

Members will decide funding contributions for the New Zealand Marine Research Foundation and discuss the issue of mushy flesh affecting northern areas.

Communications and operations manager Mike Plant said many things were causing this issue but research pointed to a reduction of baitfish in the water causing fish such as snapper to starve and present with mushy flesh.

Mr Plant said water safety was a big priority with all fishing clubs this year, referencing this year’s decision by the Bay of Plenty harbourmaster to stop calling the bar and leave skippers to assess the condition before crossing.

In response, the NZSFC and Whakatāne Fishing Club will be holding seminars about safe bar crossing and making sure information is available online and in physical form.

They are additionally working alongside the Coastguard and Hutchwilco to promote safety at sea.

“We want to make sure everyone comes home, to look at ourselves and see what we can do better,” Mr Plant said.

The public are welcome to view the AGM event over the two days from the mezzanine.