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.
Faced with a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean, and a government that condones bottom trawling, activists have taken a stand to disrupt this destructive fishing method.
Watch activists occupy the trawler
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.
Juan Parada, Greenpeace ocean campaigner
“Bottom trawling is a highly destructive fishing practice that wreaks havoc on ocean life. If we want healthy oceans for the future, bottom trawling must stop in the places it does the most harm – and that’s why we’re demanding an end to bottom trawling on seamounts.
“Today, these activists have taken a stand to disrupt this fishing method, in the face of a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean and a government that’s willing to condone the industry’s actions.
“Talley’s have left a trail of destruction from New Zealand waters right across the high seas of the Tasman and into Australia. Their trawl nets turn precious coral into rubble, and kill ocean life from sharks, to fur seals, dolphins, and seabirds. This must end.”
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
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.
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
Press contacts at Greenpeace Aotearoa
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