living in closed space

[Mike Copeland]

G'day All

I have wanted to share a story that captures where I got to before I learned
of open space.  This was the life experience that has enabled open space to
hit fertile ground with me.



I began working as a conservation advocate on New Zealand's South Island's
West Coast in 2001. This place has traditionally survived on extraction:
gold, coal, timber, minerals, fishing etc.  Conservation isn't exactly
flavor of the month here.

My first task was to raise awareness and work with recreational fishers on
the issue of set net bycatch of Hector's Dolphins. These dolphins are native
to NZ's shores with fewer than 5,000 left and are classed as "endangered."

I talked with the fishers about the problem of their nets catching dolphin.
They swore black and blue they'd never caught a dolphin in years of fishing
etc.. . Well, some trust must have been established because that summer two
fishers rang and reported they'd caught dolphin and we duly recovered the
bodies.

A few months later, in winter, I went back to the fishers to pick up log
books Iwhich the fishers agreed to fill out to help us understand their
fishing practises. No one had filled them out. One fisher swore if we banned
set nets, he'd continue to fish and we could lock him up for all he cared.
These fishers had a chance to help us understand their fishing practises so
if decisions were made to control set nets they would be informed decisions.

 I went to the fisher who had caught a dolphin and he had entered the
fatality in his log; the only entry. We had an amicable discussion.  We were
looking out to sea from his garage and I asked him "you know, now you've
caught a dolphin will you keep setting your net" He shuffled and looked out
to sea and replied "I can't understand it, it was an incredibly clear day
and the calmest day I've ever known."

I wonder if you're getting the picture?  What I heard these fishers saying
was I realise I'm catching dolphin, I realise they are endangered, and I
want to keep fishing. If you ban set netting then you are imposing
restrictions on me which I'll flaunt.  Do we do nothing and allow the
dolphin catch until there are no more dolphin?  Do we impose a set net ban
and take it in the neck from the fishing fraternatiy who once again are
victims of imposed restrictions.  Who has the responsibilty with this one?
What sort of space is that to be living with? I can tell you I began
seriously questioning what the heck I was doing!

 This was the life that OST has opened up new possibilties for; a space
between a rock and a hard place that is, well, very open!

For this I am grateful.

Mike Copeland




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