Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 29 March 2005

ORNZ questions National’s motives over marine reserves

The Outdoor Recreation party’s marine coordinator John Friend is questioning the National Party’s, and particularly Southland MP Bill English’s, motives in opposing the proposed marine reserve at Nugget Point in Otago.

“Three years ago Mr English announced that, if National became the Government, it would create 9 new marine reserves in its first term,” said Mr Friend.

“Obviously, National are so desperate to reverse their recent slide in the public opinion polls that they have resorted to trying to curry favour with the recreational fishing sector of the New Zealand public.

“At last, they’re finally realising that the public are not in favour of their, and the Department of Conservation’s, policy of shutting up large tracts of our coastline for marine reserves,” said Mr Friend.

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