Bethune has a break before resuming battle

Battles in the backyard with his twin brother steeled eco warrior Pete Bethune for life on the frontline of conservation.

Renowned for his confrontational style of conservation, the former skipper of the Sea Shepherd vessel Andy Gil, that was rammed by a Japanese whaler in 2010, has been in Southland visiting his brother Barry during Easter.

Relaxing at his brother’s home in Ryall Bush after a trip to Fiordland, Pete Bethune said the brothers had always been close and the sibling skirmishes in Hamilton had definitely ‘‘toughened’’ him up for life on the high seas.

Pete Bethune, who founded his own organisation, Earthrace Conservation, after splitting with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said he loved returning to Southland.

‘‘I’ve been around the world four times and visited many places in the world but Fiordland is my favourite,’’ he said.

‘‘It is still remote and brutal which means there is no-one there.’’

While many of his conservation battles were on foreign shores, Pete Bethune said he kept a watch on the state of New Zealand’s efforts. During his stay in Southland he had become concerned about the Government’s proposal to allow commercial paua fishing in areas off limits to the industry.

‘‘It’s good to still have areas of recreational areas only,’’ he said.

‘‘I have seen too many places in the world where commercial interests have come in, dominated fisheries and squeezed out the recreational fishers.’’

On a national conservation front, he said he had been disappointed by the National Government’s policies.

‘‘There has barely been a good decision for conservation and if there is not more value put on the environment, New Zealand will lose its 100 per cent pure brand,’’ he said.

However, New Zealand did not presently need the services of his team of highly trained eco warriors.

Comprising former special forces members, the team from Earthrace are preparing to embark for the shores of Africa and Central and South America to deal with illegal fishing fleets.

The group’s exploits would possibly be turned into a TV series and be aired in New Zealand later this year.

Photo: JOHN HAWKINS/FAIRFAX NZ 627814190 Brothers in arms: Conservationist and eco warrior Pete Bethune, left, has been visiting his twin brother Barry and enjoying spending time in his favourite place in the world, Fiordland.