by frog
This Wednesday is Members’ day. One of the bills up for first reading is Metiria Turei’s Marine Animals Protection Law Reform Bill.
The Environmental Defence Society’s chair, Gary Taylor, writes today about how the high-profile decline of marine animals and the threat this poses for our economy. He says that the bill is a great opportunity to fine-tune the law to ensure we protect them, and utilise the resources of the sea sustainably (he cites the Waitrose example I blogged last week). He argues that this is crucial if we are to continue to enjoy what the Conservation Minister Tim Groser has described as our “point of difference…[a] brand value based around world class environmental standards.” Gary Taylor writes:
New Zealand is a marine mammal and seabird “hotspot”. At least 38 species of dolphin and whale are found here, just under half the world’s total. We also have more than 80 species of seabirds, more than anywhere else in the world. Many of the birds are endemic to New Zealand.
Dolphins, seabirds, sea lions and fur seals are often caught as a byproduct of fishing, despite strenuous efforts by fishers to avoid such collateral damage. That places the fishing industry at risk. …
We do have protection-oriented legislation in New Zealand, but the Marine Mammals Protection Act is now more than 30 years old and has not been effectively invoked even to save Maui’s dolphin, the world’s rarest marine mammal.
Not one species has a population management plan – a key conservation measure – not even our rarest. There is something wrong about that and it’s time for a hard look at how we can improve the law to ensure our marine mammals and seabirds cease their slide towards extinction. …
[The Marine Animals Bill] is an opportunity for the Government to demonstrate that it means what it says about world-class environmental standards. It should support referral of the bill to a select committee where all these issues can be considered and we can create a more sustainable, ethical and environmentally responsible legal framework for fishing – which, after all, is in the best long-term interests our fishing industry.
You have until Wednesday to give your local MP a call and urge them to support the Bill to select committee.
Published in Environment & Resource Management by frog on Mon, July 27th, 2009
Tags: dolphins, fishing, marine animals, Metiria Turei, oceans, seabirds
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Will it be a conscience vote?
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I doubt it. It’s an issue of conservation policy, so is expected to be treated by all parties as a party vote. So email your MP NOW to influence them before tomorrow morning’s caucus meeting…
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When I contacted my local MP Amy Adams I tried to persuade her that eviro-schools was not a party issue it was an environmental issue.
The reply was indifferent.
I agree with the bill but I wonder if it goes far enough. I would like to see selected areas off the NZ coast completely banned to commercial fishing for a couple of years so that the habitat can revive.
This can be enforced by the navy instead of wasting it’s time doing manoeuvres in other waters.
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Would be a milestone for the marine animals for sure.
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Is there a list of local MP phone numbers?
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Ye I found a list of NZ MP members on the net, just search.
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this is great news!
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NewZealand is a marine mammal. At least 38 species of dolphin and whale are found here, just under half the world’s total. We also have more than 80 species of seabirds, more than anywhere else in the world. Many of the birds are endemic to NewZealand.
regards
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Any rumours on how the Nats might vote on this?
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Darman, you’re right about us having lots of species of whales and dolphins in New Zealand, and then there are the porpoises, seals and sea lions. But I’m not clear how you get from that to the conclusion that New Zealand is a marine mammal.
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Looks like the Nats are against: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10587281
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I have just been contacted again by the National Party concerning the Enviro schools letter I sent A. Adams it has been refered to the minister of education. They must be reading my Blogs?
Anyway I suggest you all contact the minister of the environment or conservation and persuade him that this issue is above party politics.
I believe it is.
Then if it is accepted on that premise then it is a conscience vote.
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