ACTION: Talley’s is an ocean killer!

23 August 2025: Greenpeace activists occupied a Talley’s bottom trawling vessel in the Port of Nelson this morning, labelling it an ocean killer.

When bottom trawl nets are dragged over seamounts and other vulnerable areas they turn precious coral into rubble and kill ocean life from sharks to fur seals, dolphins and seabirds.


An activist on end of ship's winch holds a sign saying OCEAN KILLER
© Bryce Groves / Greenpeace

Faced with a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean, and a government that condones bottom trawling, activists have taken a stand today to disrupt this destructive fishing method.



Latest news

Otago Daily Times: Dunedin court date for Greenpeace protesters


11.40am 23 August

Press release: Greenpeace activists arrested in Nelson after occupying bottom trawling vessel

Three Greenpeace activists have been arrested after occupying a Talley’s bottom trawling vessel early this morning in Nelson.


10.30am 23 August

NZ Herald: Greenpeace activist arrested after protest on Talley’s trawler in Nelson


10.28am 23 August

Stuff: Greenpeace activists block Talley’s trawler in Nelson port protest


PRESS RELEASE: Greenpeace activists stop Talley’s trawler from leaving Nelson port, branding it an ‘ocean killer’ www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/pre… #nzpol #oceans

Greenpeace Aotearoa (@greenpeace.org.nz) 2025-08-22T20:47:33.673Z

8.45am 23 August

Press release: Greenpeace activists stop Talley’s trawler from leaving Nelson port, branding it an ‘ocean killer

Nelson: Greenpeace Aotearoa activists have boarded a bottom trawling vessel this morning, stopping it from leaving the Port of Nelson in protest at the company’s links to ocean destruction in both New Zealand waters, Australia’s and the high seas.


8.00am 23 August

Greenpeace activists have occupied Talley’s bottom trawler, Amaltal Columbia, stopping it from leaving port.

Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling for an end to bottom trawling on seamounts and other vulnerable areas.


Media contact

Press contacts at Greenpeace Aotearoa


What is bottom trawling, and why is it bad for the environment?

Bottom trawling is a method of fishing that involves dragging heavy, weighted nets across the sea floor to catch fish. It’s a method favoured by commercial fishing companies because it can catch large quantities but it is incredibly damaging to the seafloor and indiscriminate in the way it kills.

NZ trawler dumps huge coral bottom trawling
PETITION: Ban bottom trawling on seamounts

Join the call to demand that the NZ Govt bans bottom trawling on seamounts and similar deep sea features, and stop issuing permits for bottom trawling in international waters.

Take Action
Greenpeace Aotearoa activists confront the Talley’s bottom trawler Amatal Atlantis on the Chatham Rise, painting “ocean killer” on its hull to protest destructive bottom trawling. The Rainbow Warrior is off the coast of Aotearoa campaigning for an end to New Zealand's destructive bottom trawling in New Zealand waters and the Tasman Sea.
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Press contacts at Greenpeace Aotearoa