Greens unveil new ocean protection plan

The Green Party has unveiled a plan to increase marine protections and ban bottom trawling in parts of the ocean.

Co-leaders Marama Davidson and James Shaw yesterday announced the party’s nature policy forO¯ the 2020 election at ra¯kei (Bastion Point) in Auckland.

The party says its new Thriving Oceans Plan will dramatically increase marine protected areas.

It would ban commercial fishing practices including bottom trawling on seamounts and setnetting in the habitat of endangered wildlife.

In a statement, the party said it wanted to review the fishing Quota Management System, in partnership with Ma¯ori, and within a framework that upheld Treaty rights.

As part of the plan, $50 million would be invested to help the fishing industry transition to what the party views as more sustainable methods. It would speed up the implementation of monitoring cameras on fishing boats. The plan also involves phasing out lowquality, non-recyclable plastic as a way of reducing the amount of plastic waste in oceans.

In a statement ahead of the announcement, Davidson described the Thriving Oceans Plan as ‘‘the boldest vision for the protection of our oceans that this country has seen from a political party in decades’’.

‘‘Marine protected areas are one of the best tools we have to protect our oceans. By establishing a much wider network of these areas, we can ensure marine habitats thrive and fisheries can replenish,’’ she said.

‘‘Set-nets and bottom trawling on seamounts have major impacts on the marine environment.

‘‘Set-nets cause unacceptable levels of bycatch of dolphins and seabirds, and bottom impact methods effectively ‘plough up’ the seabed, destroying precious habitats.

‘‘This is why we will place much stronger restrictions on their use, and ban bottom trawling on seamounts.’’

The plan would also end bottom impact trawling, dredging, and Danish seining in the Hauraki Gulf.

It would zone parts of the Gulf for additional protection, including areas for customary takes and iwi and hapu¯ management, along with no-take marine reserves and scientific research areas.