Bay of Plenty Regional Council's decision to stop "calling the bar" will cost lives, says Whakatāne Sport Fishing Club president Heyden Johnston.
Regional council harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters said skippers are best placed to decide whether to cross the bar on the river entrance.
But fishing club president Johnston, who has been on the water in Whakatāne for 40 years, is concerned.
He says the regional council is relinquishing liability when it should be leading the way with a safety first approach.
Photo: 123RF
