If
you doubt my headline you should watch the movie the
Last Ocean
Ross
Sea protection proposal criticised
Environmental
groups are critical of the Government's proposal for a Marine
Protected Area in the Ross Sea, saying it favours protecting
commercial toothfish interests over conservation.
7
September, 2012
The
proposal would mean the fishing of toothfish would be banned in the
area.
The
Government had discussed a joint proposal with the United States but
instead decided to put forward a separate plan.
It
says if its Antarctic proposal is successful it will be the largest
marine protected area in the world, covering an area nine times the
size of New Zealand.
Antarctic
Ocean Alliance coordinator Geoff Keey says many parts of New
Zealand's proposed protection area do not need protection because
they are of no interest to the fishing industry.
"The
real challenge is that there are some critical ecosystems in the
heart of the Ross Sea region which need protection."
Mr
Keey says the Government should restart talks with the United States
which wants wider conservation measures.
Three
of New Zealand's biggest fishing companies - Sanford, Sealord and
Talley's - catch toothfish but the Government's plan will not alter
their commercial interests.
Toothfish
earns New Zealand some $20 million in exports annually and is mainly
sent to the United States.
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