In a press release the New Zeladn Seafood Industry Council mentioned that the proposed steps for establishing MPAs has generated serious concern to the seafood industry. The Council’s CEO Owen Symmans said that the fishing is a legitimate and important activity – both commercially and recreationally – for New Zealand. He added that the seafood industry is providing food, be it for our families or the world and the industry want to be very sure that the benefits of any bio-diversity protection mechanism are not outweighed by the cost.
He further adds that the industry support the measures and have a vested interest in protecting New Zealand’s marine bio-diversity and ensuring long term sustainability of the country’s fisheries. But he expressed that the process of MPA lacks any opportunity for national co-ordination or for any national overview other than government.
According to Symmans the MPAs would have maximum impact on commercial, recreational and customary fishing. He added that the involvement Marine Protection Planning Forums excludes national representative bodies from the process. He said this would affect the commercial, customary and recreational fishers.
Symmans said the seafood industry of New Zealand is harvested in an environmentally sound way, as required under existing legislation, and is the fifth biggest export earner for New Zealand’s economy.
