The Green Party calls on the Government to prioritize ocean sustainability.
Aotearoa's oceans are facing a "state of decline", with short-term profits taking precedence over long-term health. The Green Party is urging Minister Jones to adopt more sustainable fishing practices and protect at least 30 per cent of Aotearoa's ocean by 2030, as outlined in their proposed Healthy Oceans Act.
The party claims that recent decisions from the Government have undermined sustainability, with proposed changes rewarding industry for overfishing. Green Party spokesperson Teanau Tuiono states that if the Minister truly cared about sustainability, they would ban bottom trawling and champion adaptive fishing practices to protect the oceans for future generations.
Māori and Pasifika communities, who rely heavily on the ocean for their livelihoods, will be most impacted by the crisis. The Green Party is calling on the Government to turn the tide on exploitative fishing practices and prioritize ocean sustainability, not just for environmental reasons but also for its essential role in sustaining life on the planet.
The urgency of the situation has grown significantly, with communities already feeling the effects of depleted fisheries and declining ocean health. Teanau Tuiono emphasizes that it is time for the Government to take action and protect Aotearoa's oceans for their long-term prosperity and wellbeing.