Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill could be better - Seymour

Press release: ACT New Zealand
March 15, 2016. 1:00pm

ACT Leader David Seymour says the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill must be reformed at future readings to make it fair and effective.

“The intent of this bill, to protect a unique marine environment and the life it sustains, is commendable,” says Mr Seymour. “I want to see the Kermadec Sanctuary work, which is why ACT is supporting it to the select committee stage.

“However the bill, as it stands, would simply displace fishing activities, without reducing the total allowable catch. Most of the fish that would be targeted in the Kermadecs are migratory, so displacing fishing won’t stop access to fish stocks, it will just cause arbitrary annoyance and cost to fishers.

“This amounts to an uncompensated regulatory taking, likely to cause real harm to the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry.

“ACT rejects Nick Smith picking on the little guy just because he’s the little guy.

“I’d like to see changes ensuring this bill is both more effective at protecting marine life and more fairly considers the rights of fishers. Until then, this looks like political greenwash.”

ENDS

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