Tiny Metzger of Bluff makes poha titi from kelp in the same way his tupuna did i nga wa o mua and knows where to collect the live kelp needed to line the totara bark vessels in which the muttonbirds are stored.
He'll have thoughts about the Government's action in opening the kelp beds up for commercial exploitation, though I don't know them. I can guess though.
Here, Alicia Hebbend raises concerns from Ngai Tahu Tribal Council senior fisheries advisor Nigel Scott, who says that he was disappointed that iwi concerns had been ignored over the granting of quota to harvest live kelp.
"The Kelp Bladder provides a unique environment and habitat for sea creatures like fish and crayfish that they rely on". Mr Scott said.
Maori Fisheries will receive 20 per cent of the quota.
“I’m picking we will probably leave it in the water”, Mr Scott said.
Despite the irony of that statement, I suspect he means it and Rakiura Maori in particular, will be deeply disturbed by this exploitive move from the Government and the kelp harvesting industry.
For myself, I'm disgusted by it.
