New Zealand First has questioned the reasons behind the Green Party policy of locking up 20% of New Zealand’s fisheries.

"If implemented, the Green policy would be extremely damaging to our fishing industry and national economy," said New Zealand First Northland candidate Ian Walker.

"Too much so-called environmental protectionism in New Zealand is based on a religious belief rather than sound scientific analysis.

"It is important for New Zealand that we develop well researched sustainable management practices that allow our export industries to thrive, while maintaining the long-term viability of the environment", said Mr Walker.

New Zealand First believes there is a need to improve our knowledge of the marine environment. In a shared management regime New Zealand First will increase research resources into all forms of fishing – recreational, customary, and commercial.

"We believe shared management is the key, with government holding the ultimate decision making power," said Mr Walker.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>