Greenpeace – Worst in a generation, environmentalists slam Fisheries Reform Bill

The Fisheries Amendment Bill, which will likely have its first reading in parliament this week, is being labelled the worst fisheries policy in a generation by environmental groups who are calling for it to be rejected to protect ocean health.

The bill, pushed by Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, would significantly reduce public input on ocean management and hand unprecedented control over to the fishing industry – while eroding scrutiny.

It includes the proposal to slap a fine of up to $50,000 on anyone sharing cameras on boats footage, reducing public consultation and incentivising trawling ahead of cleaner fishing methods, plus reducing penalties for exceeding catch limits. It is set to go through its first reading in parliament this week. 

 Greenpeace oceans lead Ellie Hooper says: “This bill is a bonfire. It’s a blank cheque written for the trawling industry, that incentivises the most destructive types of fishing and gives the middle finger to New Zealanders who care about protecting the ocean. It is absolutely one of the worst fisheries policies we’ve seen in decades.

 “Nobody voted for this and already we’ve heard strong objections from New Zealanders across the political spectrum – from recreational fishers to environmentalists and ocean advocates. People want a healthy thriving ocean, a move away from destructive bottom trawling, and to know what the industry impact is on the ocean. These amendments are the opposite of that.

“Political leaders must listen to the public and reject this bill. We’ve already seen National admit huge regret over allowing marine protection to be weakened in Hauraki Gulf. Well now’s the time to have a backbone and vote it down. Jones and NZ First are running fisheries management as if they’re employed by the commercial trawling industry.”

Karli Thomas from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, says more than 100,000 people have called on the government to ban bottom trawling on seamounts, yet the government is ignoring those concerns completely.

“It’s clear that ocean protection, and what New Zealanders want, have been shelved to make way for measures that essentially roll out the red carpet for the commercial fishing industry.

“If this legislation passes it will make it easier for bottom trawlers to carry out wholesale ocean destruction, and evidence of that damage would never see the light of day. Our fishing industry relies on social license and its environmental credentials – but this Bill sets us back decades: literally incentivising the most destructive fishing method, industrial factory trawling, at the expense of those who are trying to fish more sustainably. 

 “We need a healthy ocean where fish populations have a chance to recover, and ocean habitats can thrive. For that to happen the fishing industry must be held accountable. We already know that every year, trawl nets haul up thousands of kilograms of ancient corals, bulldoze the seafloor and kill ocean life including dolphins, seals and seabirds.

“We need more ocean protection, not a weakening of the little protection we already have. Now is the time for politicians to take a stand on behalf of the vast majority of New Zealanders who want to protect the ocean.”

Barry Weeber of ECO said that the legislation was a major step backwards in ecologically sustainable fisheries.

“With the proposed amendments the Minister could ignore the obligations in the principles of the Act that are designed to protect habitats and maintain biodiversity while setting catch limits.”

The proposals also over-turn international obligations including to apply the precautionary approach in making decisions on fisheries management. “The changes give too much power to the Minister while ignoring the needs to consider the impacts of fishing on the marine environment and other interests”, says Weeber.