Seafood support for EPA decision on TTR

18th June 2014

Media Statement

For Immediate Release

Seafood support for EPA decision on TTR

Fisheries Inshore New Zealand supports the Environmental Protection Authority decision to reject the Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd application to mine the South Taranaki Bight for iron sands.

FINZ CEO Jeremy Helson says the seafood industry submitted against the proposal because the risks and uncertainty were too great.

“There just wasn’t sufficient information from TTR to provide an assurance that their mining wasn’t going to have effects on the marine environment that would harm fish populations and the wider seafood industry,” he says.

“The seafood industry in New Zealand is sustainable and highly regarded internationally. I am pleased that the valuable contribution it makes to the New Zealand economy has been recognised in the TTR decision.”

Dr Helson says the impact on the seafood industry was a factor in making its decision to reject the TTR application, when the EPA stated, “the major reason was uncertainly around the scope and significance of the potential adverse environmental effects, and those on the existing interests (such as the Fishing Interests and Iwi)”.

ENDS

© Scoop Media