Ruth
DYSON
Conservation Spokesperson
David
CUNLIFFE
Fisheries Spokesperson
19 March 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Labour MPs welcome longfin eel petition

A petition to save the longfin eel (tuna), being presented to Parliament today, is an important step towards protecting the threatened species, Labour MPs say.

“The New Zealand native Longfin eel are seriously threatened because of habitat change. Today’s petition shows New Zealander’s are passionate about protecting this iconic species,” Labour’s Conservation spokesperson Ruth Dyson said.

“The eel fishery is only 82 tons, which is down a whopping 96% since the 1960s. We urgently need to replenish eel stocks while recasting sustainable New Zealand eel as the ultra-premium option in traditional European and new Asian markets,” Labour’s Fisheries spokesperson David Cunliffe said.

“Sustainable management based on good science gives the potential for a win-win for eels and the economy.”

Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene has also spoken out in support of today’s petition. He says Tuna are a taonga to Māori with Hapu and iwi playing a leading role in the campaign to save the eels. Mr Tirikatene previously worked for Ngāi Tahu Seafood in iwi fisheries developments.

“Today’s petition is just the beginning of an important campaign,” Ruth Dyson said.
“The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment will soon table a report on the state of New Zealand longfin eel. Labour hopes this report will prompt an overdue conversation between commercial and recreational fishers, iwi and Government," David Cunliffe said.

"All New Zealanders should join that conversation, because the longfin eel is now as endangered as the Great Spotted Kiwi,” Ruth Dyson said.

© Scoop Media

World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>