New Zealand’s Black Foils have won the Better Planet award in SailGP’s global Impact League, recognising their contribution to a New Zealand campaign by Live Ocean to end bottom trawling and the record-breaking swim by Jono Ridler that drove it.
Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) issuing of an International Fishing Permit undermines obligations to protect seamounts and other vulnerable marine ecosystems on the high seas.
The debate has gone on long enough. It’s time for action. There are practical steps that can be taken now to reduce the impact of bottom trawling while supporting a managed transition for industry. That should begin with protecting seamounts.
The Swim4TheOcean petition was formally presented and read in Parliament on 29 April. Last week, on 10 June, Live Ocean and Jono Ridler lodged a written submission in support of the petition’s call to end bottom trawling, outlining in more detail our case for change. Our submission highlights that only Government can lead the change, based on the scientific evidence on bottom trawling impacts, the growth in public concern, and how New Zealand remains out of step internationally.
After 90 days in the ocean and a nationwide wave of support, the Swim4TheOcean petition is now being formally taken to Parliament, with 73,647 unique signatures – each one a call to end bottom trawling, starting with seamounts.
Jono Ridler and Live Ocean will meet with political decision-makers from across the House tomorrow, as the Swim4TheOcean message, backed by 73,647 unique signatures is taken to Parliament.
After 90 days in the ocean and a nationwide wave of support, the Swim4TheOcean petition is now being formally taken to Parliament, with 73,647 unique signatures – each one a call to end bottom trawling, starting with seamounts.
Jono Ridler and Live Ocean will return to Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington next week to formally handover the Swim4TheOcean petition to Government, marking the next phase of a campaign that has captured national attention.
Jono Ridler’s 1,367km Swim4TheOcean mission has reached its penultimate day, with the final swim now mapped and his arrival into Wellington set for noon tomorrow.
Jono Ridler has positioned himself at the threshold of Wellington Harbour, wrapping day two of a final push just south of Barrett Reef and setting up for the penultimate day of Swim4TheOcean.
We’re on a mission to create 1,000 postcards to protect the Hauraki Gulf and we need your help.
Send us your favourite ocean photo and a few words about what you love most about the Gulf, and together, we’ll spotlight why the Gulf deserves urgent protection – for us, and for future generations.