Oceans on the agenda as environmental groups pitch to politicians – Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders

Marine issues, and policy solutions will be aired at a Marine Policy Forum hosted by the charity Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders from 2-4.30pm on Saturday 18 April at Te Manawa, Westgate, Auckland.

Māui and Hector’s dolphins are at the heart of damaging ocean impacts including bottom trawling, seabed mining, overfishing, pollution and climate change.

These issues have extinction-level impacts on other species as well, and whole ecosystem costs. So what’s good for Māui and Hector’s dolphins is good for wider marine health, according to event organiser and Dolphin Defenders chair, Christine Rose.

Rose says “We’re bringing together a whole range of environmental and oceans-interested groups to discuss common issues with politicians”.

“In recent months we’ve seen huge scale public concern about ocean health. From the massive response to Jono Ridler’s record-breaking swim over bottom trawling, to the outrage over Shane Jones’ fisheries reforms. Ocean issues touch us all.”

“Marine issues apparently resonate with politicians too”, says Mrs Rose, with attendance from Labour, the Greens, Opportunity, ACT, National and the Animal Justice Party. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, was invited but has not replied.

Environmental and associated organisations attending include the Northern NZ Seabird Trust, Birdcare Aotearoa and the Te Henga Tūturiwhatu – dotterel minders. There will be presentations from Protect Rockpools spokespeople, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Bream Bay Guardians. Legasea, the NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust and Save Animals from Exploitation / SAFE, Greenpeace, WWF and the Environmental Defence Society will also be speaking.

“We’re really excited to have the legend Jono Ridler at the event as well’, says Mrs Rose.