Greenpeace oceans campaign volunteer Roshahn Smith with the Sad Fish mascot on a nine-week nationwide tour to safeguard the future of New Zealand fisheries.
While in New Plymouth, Sad Fish and two Greenpeace volunteers
will attend public events and visit the town's supermarket to talk
with shoppers and staff. They will be distributing information on
what people can do to ensure the survival of New Zealand fisheries
including bi-lingual versions of the Greenpeace Red Fish Guide
which lists 12 seafood species people should avoid buying (1).
Greenpeace is asking supermarkets to stop selling these species,
unless sustainably caught and to implement truly sustainable
seafood policies.
Currently some New Zealand fisheries are being overfished using
unsustainable methods like bottom trawling which destroy the marine
environment. Three of the eight orange roughy fisheries have been
fished to collapse and closed.
One of Sad Fish's travelling companions, Roshahn Smith said the
tour was delivering a serious message in a fun way.
"Sad Fish has instant appeal. He's very friendly and
approachable and by the end of the tour will be recognised around
the country. He even has a Facebook page (2) so people can follow
his progress.
"New Zealanders love to fish and we want to keep it that way.
Our mascot is sad because parts of our oceans are being destroyed
and some fish stocks are being depleted but there are things we can
be doing right now to stop this."
In May this year, Greenpeace released the report While Stocks
Last - Supermarkets and the Future of Seafood (3) outlining the
link between seafood retailers, consumers and the fishing
industry.
"The more people who demand truly sustainable seafood from their
retailers, the more incentive and pressure there will be on
industrial fisheries to provide sustainably caught fish.
"The Red Fish Guide gives examples of the sustainability
questions people can ask their seafood retailers. If they can't be
answered satisfactorily they should vote with their feet and buy
their seafood from a retailer who can."
The Sad Fish team will be at a public stall in Powderham Street
on Wednesday, October 28, from 1pm. They will also host a meeting
for supporters and members of the public on Tuesday evening at Salt
restaurant at 6pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully
protected marine reserves, covering 40 per cent of our oceans. They
are essential to ensure clean and healthy oceans and protect marine
life from overfishing and habitat destruction. Healthy oceans can
also play a vital role in building resilience against the
devastating effects of climate change.
Other contacts: Chris Harris, Greenpeace New Zealand campaign director, 021 971 234
Phil Crawford Greenpeace New Zealand media and communications, 021 2299 594
Roshahn Smith, Greenpeace New Zealand oceans volunteer, 021 238 9217
VVPR info: Photos of Roshahn Smith and Sad Fish available for publication from;
http://www.greenpeace.gen.nz/media/main.php/v/press/sad-fish-tour/
Notes: (1) www.greenpeace.org.nz/sos
(2) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sad-Fish/133087533156?ref=mf
(3) http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/press/reports/while-stocks-last
Exp. contact date: 2009-12-05 00:00:00