New Zealand in pole position to protect Antarctic waters

Auckland, 13 July 2012 – Environmental groups responding to a report today (1) that the Antarctic is under serious threat from fishing and mineral exploration say the New Zealand Government is in pole position to champion new protection measures for the region.

In October this year 25 countries, including New Zealand, will meet to discuss creating a network of marine reserves in the Antarctic (2). As a first step, the Antarctic Ocean Alliance (AOA), a coalition of leading environmental and conservation organisations, including Greenpeace, is urging comprehensive protection of the Ross Sea region (3).

Antarctic waters are home to almost 10,000 unique and diverse species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet (4). Due to minimal human intrusion the Ross Sea has been referred to as ‘the last ocean’.

“As the most pristine marine ecosystem remaining on Earth it is vital to ensure the Ross Sea is protected for generations to come and for the good of all nations,” says Greenpeace New Zealand campaigner Steve Abel.

“New Zealand’s current proposal for the Ross Sea favours our fishing interests rather than protecting critical biodiversity hotspots.”

Before today’s report scientists were already warning that commercial fishing for Antarctic toothfish, started by New Zealand in 1996, was threatening the Ross Sea ecosystem. (5)

“As New Zealand played a leading role in the protection of the lands of Antarctica it must continue that legacy and be a leader in creating measures to protect her surrounding ocean.”

More than 58,000 people have joined the AOA online ‘watch’ by sending messages of support for a network of Antarctic marine reserves. Over the last 10 days more than 10,000 New Zealanders have sent emails to the Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs Murray McCully urging the New Zealand Government to support the AOA proposal for wide protection of the Ross Sea region.

Ends

Notes to editor

1) http://www.sciencecodex.com/antarctica_faces_major_threats_in_the_21st_century_says_texas_am_researcher-94908
2) http://www.ccamlr.org/
3) http://www.antarcticocean.org
4) http://www.antarcticocean.org/pdf/circum/11241-AOA-Circumpolar-Report-FINAL.pdf
5) http://asoc.org/storage/documents/MPAs/Ross_Sea_Scientists_Statement_October_2011.pdf
6) http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/en/take-action/Take-action-online/Save-the-Last-Ocean/

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On The 2013 Budget

Among Thursday’s main talking points:

We are apparently on track for a margin-of-error $75 million surplus, now in sight for 2014/15. But this sickly creature is hobbling out of the lab on the basis of all kinds of facilitative conjuring: such as trimming by $200 million the amount of new spending next time around.

With this strictly nominal surplus in sight, the 1984-ish justification for eternal austerity will have a news talisman: namely, getting Crown debt down to 20% of GDP by 2020. More>>

Budget Report, Lockup Audio & Images: Budget Day 2013 As always and especially after the managerial mishaps of the past few weeks and months, (e.g. Aaron Gilmore, the Mighty River Power share float, the GCSB mishaps) Budget Day 2013 was always going to be a pageant of reassurance... More>>

Budget 2013 Comment: Plain Sailing, But It's No America's Cup Pattrick Smellie: Compared to the last four budgets, this year's reflects an economy moving out of recession and into calmer waters... Yet if the fastest annual growth rate we can expect over the next two years is 3 percent - with the Christchurch rebuild in full swing - then you'd have to say New Zealand's underlying low-growth problem is far from fixed. More>>

Auckland Discord: Govt’s Power Hungry Housing Approach A Threat - Labour

Last week the Government said this, ‘The Government commits not to use any proposed or existing powers ... to override the council's planning and consenting processes’. But its housing Bill says this; ‘If an accord cannot be reached in an area of severe housing unaffordability, the Government can intervene by establishing special housing areas and issuing consents for developers’. More>>

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Housing accords legislation passes first reading - Legislation For Housing Accords, Land Supply - Housing package improves affordability, access
• Greens - Budget numbers show National’s failure on home affordability
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce - Budget 2013: Housing intervention needed
• Out-Link - Gareth Morgan: Response to housing problem limp-wristed
• Earlier, Pre-Budget - Auckland Accord announced

Extending Protest Ban, Relaxing Permit Rules: Govt Abuses Urgency To Extend Anadarko Amendment

The Government is trying to pass legislation under urgency which would make the Anadarko Amendment – which limits protest at sea – apply to an additional 1.7 million square kilometres, the Green Party said today. More>>

ALSO:

• Parliament Today - Parliament Resumes To Pass Budget Bills
• Labour - Government to extend protest ban
• Greenpeace NZ - Oil Companies Lacking ‘Expertise’ and ‘Financial Ability’ Set to Be Handed Drilling Permits
• 2010 image via: Pacific.Scoop - Media watcher gives NZ press nil score card for China oil spill coverage