Deaths of ocean wildlife are now proven to have been consistently underreported and the numbers of dolphins and birds being killed are drastically higher than previously thought.
“Seven times as many dolphins are being drowned compared to the rate reported by the vessels fishing industry. Three to four times as many albatrosses are taking bait, landing on ships, or being killed. And twice as much fish is being discarded from commercial vessels”. (Rebekah White. Senior Editor. NZ Geographic)
These figures are from the first reports received from cameras installed on a number of ships.
Law requires all fishers to report bycatch, but industry-reported number are consistently lower than when either independent observers or cameras are keeping watch.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones’s response has been to pause the camera rollout and ask officials to look at ways to hand camera footage back to the industry, rather than having the government independently reviewing it, according to Andrea Vance at The Post.
Please do not just read this, shake your head, and move on! Contact your local MP – Write a letter of complaint. Are you happy with Shane Jones’s attitude which, I believe, can only be interpreted as attempting to ‘cover – up’ this information? Is this what we expect from our Oceans and Fisheries Minister? Fisheries are owned by Maori, who advise that they are the only people who can look after our Oceans and Fisheries. After reading the facts above I would ask all Maori to stand up against an out-of-control Oceans and Fisheries hierarchy and make their ability to look after our Oceans and Fisheries a reality. Stand up, not just for yourselves, but all Kiwis. We are in this together.
