It wasn’t me, I wasn’t there ...

22nd October

(with apologies to John Campbell)

The NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers, a national association of freshwater fishermen, expressed its disappointment, but not surprise, at yesterdays publication of 'Environment Aotearoa 2015’ detailing the continuing decline of NZ’s lowland water quality, deterioration of aquatic habitat and diversity, nitrogen levels increasing in most lowland rivers, and a 29% increase in nitrogen leaching from intensive agriculture.

“The science comes as no surprise to our members” said President David Haynes, “they have to see it, feel it and smell it whenever they fish such waters. “What is worrying is that independent water scientists are suggesting that these horrific figures are probably significantly understated and misleading. It is also worrying that there can be up to a 40 year lag phase before the pollution already identified in the soil makes its way to our rivers and aquifers. What a legacy to leave our children and grandchildren!

What was particularly disappointing was not so much the size and scope of the problems, but the immediate howls of denial from both the industries responsible and the Government MP’s, officials and agencies on whose watch this problem has festered.

“The degradation of public waterways and fisheries, its causes and its solutions have been known for many years, he said. And yet, this Government has enacted some of the world’s weakest National Water Standards, has no coherent, comprehensive plans or policies to combat such pollution, has a climate change mitigation policy that the rest of the world regards with derision, and apparently still thinks it can double agricultural production with impunity. The current Conservation Ministers press release on the subject didn’t even bother to mention water quality, while the Environment Minister bemoaned the gaps in the report that were the direct result of his predecessor and colleagues policies.

Despite dairy farming being specifically identified in the report as a major and increasing contributing factor in water quality decline, Dairy Industry organisation DairyNZ was quick to claim it was everyone else’s problem, and that it was ‘leading the way in protecting the rural environment’. That doesn’t sound like ownership to us.

Likewise, Regional Councils quickly claimed that they were frustrated by central government decisions, and lacked the tools and ability to quickly respond to such problems. This despite being responsible for agricultural pollution plans, and several of them relentlessly pursuing huge dam schemes on rivers with the specific aim of increasing and intensifying agricultural production.

“There is a singular lack of will to acknowledge or tackle this problem at a central or regional government level, or by the agricultural industries responsible, said Mr Haynes. We see this as a grave and increasing threat to our waterways, and to the natural biodiversity and fisheries, and the recreational and tourist industries they sustain.

ENDS

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