Better process called for in marine conservation

Thursday, 2 June 2016, 10:39 am
Press Release: Seafood New Zealand

June 2, 2016

Better process called for in marine conservation

The Seafood Industry supports marine conservation but the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill is simplistic.

Appearing before the Local Government and Environment Select Committee today, the industry called for a more sophisticated process of evaluating marine conservation needs, the management responses available and properly acknowledging existing and future rights.

There is already a high degree of marine conservation within the proposed area through a no-take marine reserve, full protection of the seabed through Benthic Protection Areas and sustainable commercial catches for fisheries operating in the area.

The question of what additional conservation measures might be necessary should be identified and developed through a policy process that identifies what risks human activities might pose to the marine environment.

That approach didn’t happen with this Bill, which was developed without consultation with affected parties, the committee was told.

As well as Seafood New Zealand, Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd, the Rock Lobster Industry Council, Fisheries Inshore New Zealand, Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Fishing Industry Association and Paua Industry Council made submissions to the Committee.

The Seafood New Zealand submission can be found on the link below.

Seafood NZ's Submission

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