No more secrets and lies –review of NZ fishing scandal needs to be open and transparent

While Sea Shepherd applauds MPI for announcing an independent review of the illegal dumping captured on the Ministry’s own cameras, given the scale of abuse and cover-ups the review needs to be held in the public domain and the scope broadened.

Sea Shepherd New Zealand Director Michael Lawry says “The crimes in question occurred four years ago and would likely remained hidden until the University of Auckland report exposed them. MPI initially and repeatedly denied the findings. The Government even foolishly questioned the integrity of the science. Now the Government are silent and MPI are back peddling. Years of illegal fishing was able to thrive in an environment of secrecy and deals. For the regulators and fishing companies to regain the public’s confidence the review needs to be held in the public domain. No more secrets and lies from the regulators, guardians and big fishing”

Sea Shepherd also asks the Ministry to release all remaining videos including the NZ Dolphin death footage. Lawry says “As the scandal goes global with almost certain economic repercussions for the fishing industry, best the Ministry release everything now rather than have it slowly leaked with further damage to the industry prolonged. How many more Hectors and Maui deaths have occurred over the last four years because the abuse was hidden? How many could have been saved?”

ENDS

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