23 May 2007 - Wellington

Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Forest & Bird supports Fisheries Minister’s bid for sustainable fishing

Forest & Bird has applauded Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton’s speech yesterday calling for more sustainable fisheries.

Mr Anderton told the seafood industry conference that the fishing industry had to aim for better long-term sustainability.

“To keep on taking fish when you don’t have a good idea how many are left is, in my view, like robbing the bank … How does it help any fishing business in the long term if stocks are ruined?  What sort of basis for building an industry is that?”

Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowlessays she endorses the Minister’s views.

“Forest & Bird has been concerned for a long time about the sustainability of the fishing industry.  Problems such as over-fishing leading to collapse of fish stocks, unacceptable levels of by-catch of sea birds and marine mammals, and bottom trawling cannot continue.”

Kirstie Knowlessays Forest & Bird welcomes the Minister’s plans to amend the Fisheries Act to allow him to take action to ensure fishing practices are sustainable.

It is disappointing that commercial fishing interests, including Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Trustee, are opposing the Minister’s efforts to secure the long-term future of their industry.

The Minister told Forest & Bird’s conference last year that he was frustrated that the existing Fisheries Act prevented him from taking such action.

“We support the intentions of the Minister’s amendment and hope that it will ensure long-term use of fisheries that are genuinely sustainable, maintain healthy ecosystems and protect our vulnerable marine species.”

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