Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Green Party welcomes the progress made in installing cameras on about 300 inshore fishing boats, but wants the government to act faster and industry to contribute more funding.

“Our oceans are taonga. Government and industry must act urgently to protect them by ending overfishing and accidental deaths of seabirds, fur seals and other marine mammals on fishing lines and nets . Faster deployment of cameras on boats can help do that, ”said Eugenie Sage, Green Party spokesperson for Oceans and Fisheries.

“The government’s reaffirmation of its 2019 commitment to cameras and confirmation of funding is helpful, but 2024 is far away and we have already been many years behind. We must recognize the urgency of the situation and install cameras on the fleet now.

“If the government is going to subsidize the industry by paying a substantial portion of the now estimated cost of $ 68 million, then the funding model should be designed to encourage rapid adoption. This must be before 2024.

“Cameras on boats are an essential tool for ensuring accurate reporting of catches and bycatch. They are needed now.

“The fishing industry has for too long been indifferent to its environmental impacts. It must be more responsible and recognize that the health of our oceans depends on stopping overfishing and eliminating bad practices such as the killing of protected species.

“New Zealanders shouldn’t have to subsidize the commercial fishing industry by paying the full cost of the cameras – the industry should pay a significant share.”