Tucked away on Wellington’s rugged south coast
is the seaside suburb of Island Bay. During the
early 1900’s, fishing families from Italy, Scotland
and the Shetland Isles travelled here to begin a
new life. Over the years the basic principles of
fishing in Cook Strait have changed only a little.
is the seaside suburb of Island Bay. During the
early 1900’s, fishing families from Italy, Scotland
and the Shetland Isles travelled here to begin a
new life. Over the years the basic principles of
fishing in Cook Strait have changed only a little.
Strong tides and erratic weather have always
been dependable adversaries, but in the 21st
century a new threat has arisen that is changing
forever the traditional way of life for the fisher
families of the bay.
Fish and Ships is a case study of the New Zealand
fishing Industry; told by fishermen descended from
these original pioneers. Since the quota manage-
ment system was implemented in the mid-eighties
the industry has become a minefield of rules and
regulations. The big boys are buying up the quota,
literally ripping the backbone out of an industry
historically dominated by owner-operators.