Fishing and environmental have brushed aside their differences and have joined hands to combat the decline of fish stocks and marine ecosystems in New Zealand. The groups include the NZ Recreational Fishing Council, the NZ Big Game Fishing Council, option4, the Hokianga Accord, Forest & Bird, Greenpeace and ECO. They are calling on Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley to take urgent action to return the marine environment and fisheries to good health.
They met with Heatley and asked him to take strict measures and cautious fisheries management approach. It is told that the groups are troubled by the Government’s strategic vision for fisheries – Fisheries 2030 – which Heatley is considering now. New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council president Geoff Rowling said that it ignores recreational and customary fishing and the environment. He added that it seems to be about deregulation and putting money in the pockets of the commercial sector.
Fishing advocate group option4 spokesperson Trish Rea opined that it is scandalous the Ministry of Fisheries is allowing the wholesale slaughter of coastal fisheries when most people want more abundant fisheries and a healthier marine environment. The alliance is calling for urgent action to restore our oceans to a healthy and abundant state, with more fish in the water.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Karli Thomas emphasises the common ground between the organisations. He told that they all want to see a healthy ocean and more fish in the water – that’s good whether you’re a greenie, a fisherman or both. NZ Big Game Fishing Council president Richard Baker is optimistic that Mr Heatley said that they are optimists that the Minister will heed our call for a more cautious management approach to be taken when considering our treasured fisheries and the needs of future generations of New Zealanders.
