New Zealand is not backing ocean protection. Embarrassing. And the world is noticing.

We're the only country still carrying out destructive bottom trawling the High Seas of the South Pacific.

#ProtectTheOceans #BanBottomTrawling

https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/22-07-2025/new-zealand-isnt-just-failing-to-act-on-ocean-protection-its-actively-undoing-progress

The awesomely named "Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B)" is emblematic of putting profits over ocean health. 🌊

You can tell the government to ban bottom trawling now.
Just send them an email.
(Example text in reply toot)

This is a NZ Orange roughy fishery that is in freefall. MPI is consulting what to do about it. They need to prioritise sustainability over profits. The ESCR ORH3B must be closed immediately. Even the most conservative option may fall short.

Some background:

newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/08/stud

newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/15/roug

rnz.co.nz/news/business/566375

Submissions are open until July 30th, 5 pm.

mpi.govt.nz/consultations/revi

The awesomely named "Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B)" is emblematic of putting profits over ocean health. 🌊

You can tell the government to ban bottom trawling now.
Just send them an email.
(Example text in reply toot)

This is a NZ Orange roughy fishery that is in freefall. MPI is consulting what to do about it. They need to prioritise sustainability over profits. The ESCR ORH3B must be closed immediately. Even the most conservative option may fall short.

Some background:

newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/08/stud

newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/15/roug

rnz.co.nz/news/business/566375

Submissions are open until July 30th, 5 pm.

mpi.govt.nz/consultations/revi

This is the story of just one courageous fisheries observer willing to speak out.

We do not know the exact extent or frequency of situations like this, but it is certain that his experience was not unique. 🐟

Greed and the profit motive are powerful incentives, the safety of onboard observers should be a priority. This is also why we need cameras on all fishing vessels. 📹

Bloody terror at sea sparks call for camera reform
newsroom.co.nz/2025/07/21/bloo

The view from a kiwi Marine Biologist, over at the United Nations Oceans Conference, and her feelings about New Zealand's government's lack of interest in the protection of the ocean.
All while the world gets on with bold action to protect the oceans. 🌊

Worth a read!

New Zealand isn’t just failing to act on ocean protection, it’s actively undoing progress | The Spinoff
thespinoff.co.nz/society/22-07