Wobbly Coalition all at sea over fisheries monitoring
Evidence given to the Environment Select Committee from the Department of Conservation (DOC) today just goes to show the
deeply divided factions occurring within the Coalition Government, National’s Fisheries spokesperson Gerry Brownlee
says.
“Speaking at DOC’s annual review, the Director General Lou Sanson was asked what input his department has had on the new
Government’s decision to firstly postpone and then, this week, cancel the introduction of cameras on fishing boats.
“Mr Sanson and DOC have always been spirited advocates of on-board cameras as one of the best practical measures needed
to protect our declining marine bird species.
“He told the committee that DOC ‘absolutely’ maintains its position that cameras on fishing boats are essential if we
are to reverse the decline in the sort of seabird species we see in our waters.
“It’s therefore quite extraordinary that his Minister, Eugenie Sage, has so quickly and thoroughly distanced herself
from Stuart Nash’s decision to cancel the roll-out that the National Government initiated.
“It doesn’t take a rocket-scientist to work out that Mr Nash is being leant on by Coalition partner, New Zealand First.
“I’m surprised that as a junior Coalition partner, the Greens have allowed themselves to be side-lined in this way,” Mr
Brownlee says.