Fishing industry attempts to derail Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary

WWF-New Zealand has criticised the fishing industry’s attempt to derail the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.

Today, the New Zealand Fishing Industry Association filed legal proceedings against the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill.

“The Kermadec Islands and the surrounding oceans are one of the most special and pristine marine environments in the world,” said WWF-New Zealand Senior Campaigner Alex Smith.

“It is extremely disappointing that the New Zealand Fishing Industry Association is seeking to derail protection for this unique area.

“The fishing industry is trying to veto marine protection seemingly on the basis that they have a property right over the ocean.

“This is simply not true; they have a right to catch fish, but that has always been subject to regulation to look after the health of our oceans.

“Their assertion that the New Zealand government has no right to create marine protection in our deep seas is simply wrong.”

“We had hoped that the fishing industry would stand behind efforts to look after the health of our oceans that their industry depends on, but sadly today we have seen them seek to undermine marine protection.”

New Zealand’s oceans face a number of serious issues from by-catch, climate change and over fishing. As a result, there is a wide range of marine mammals and seabirds at risk of extinction.

“The fishing industry’s claim that we don’t need any further marine protection in New Zealand does nor bear up to scrutiny,” Alex Smith said

“If the fishing industry is successful in blocking protection for the Kermadecs, this will set a damaging precedent that will make it very difficult for any further marine protected areas to be established.

“All the science reinforces the fact that the Kermadecs is an exceptional area – with globally recognised biodiversity and geodiversity hotspots – and it must be protected for future generations now.”

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