Jones moves to green light ocean destruction through reforms

Greenpeace says moves to weaken ocean protection through dodgy fisheries “reforms” will be met with strong opposition, as Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announces he wants to proceed with a raft of proposed changes to fisheries laws.

The controversial changes are some of the largest in decades, and would restrict public access to cameras on boats footage, remove the requirement for fishers to land all their catch, and stop legal challenges to catch limits that have been successful in protecting species in recent years.

The reforms will also give the Minister the ability to set catch limits for five years,

Greenpeace oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper says these proposals give the industry carte blanche on ocean destruction, weaken transparency and block the public from having input into fisheries decisions.

“These changes spell disaster for the already struggling ocean around us.

“Championed by the Minister for Oceans & Fisheries, the changes green light ocean destruction and remove the already minimal checks and balances designed to keep the fishing industry accountable”, she says.

“It is yet another example of how this government is pandering to the fishing industry while ignoring the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders who want more ocean protection, not less. New Zealanders want a healthy, thriving ocean where fish are plentiful and ecosystems are thriving.

“These reforms will mean more destruction, more decline in fish populations, and will allow the industry to go back to operating in the dark – hiding the impact they have.”

One of the proposed reforms is to restrict access to footage from cameras on boats to industry and government only.

“This is not how it should work,” says Hooper.

“There are far more people in this country than just the commercial fishing industry who have a right to know how the ocean is being impacted, and have a say on what happens about protecting it.”

Hooper also warns that setting catch limits for five years could spell disaster for fish numbers, noting the recent collapse of the Chatham Rise Orange Roughy fishery, which has been so mismanaged it could now be at 8% of its original size.

“Greenpeace, backed by thousands of New Zealanders, stands for defending nature and ocean health. We are calling for an urgent end to destructive bottom trawling on seamounts and other vulnerable features, and for all footage from cameras on boats to be made accessible via the OIA (Offical Information Act).

“During a biodiversity and ocean crisis, we will strongly oppose moves to expedite destruction at the hands of the commercial fishing industry, as will the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who also back ocean protection.”