Kermadec Bill must respect all groups' fishing rights

Press release: ACT New Zealand
April 13, 2016. 9:00am

ACT Leader David Seymour is calling on National to respect property rights under the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill.

“The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill is an ineffective conservation law. As National concedes, it will not reduce the number of fish taken, but will increase the concentration fishing in other areas.

“The Bill has been drawn up behind closed doors in Wellington with little regard for the rightful owners of fishing quotas. National misses the point that the location of fishing matters – fish need to be caught near facilities and customers.

“The established rights of the Maori leaders protesting this law deserve respect. But we should give equal consideration to the various non-Maori fishing interests in the region. Politicians should not require iwi objections to be reminded of property rights.

“The government should preserve existing property rights in any legislative act. Failing that, it should compensate those who lost their property rights. The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill meets neither criteria.

“Regard for property rights should be central to a centre-right government. Property rights used to be in National’s party principles. Now, the party’s website doesn’t mention them.”

ENDS

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