According to Fisheries Inshore New Zealand (FINZ), between 2016 and 2020, Deepwater fisheries had an output value of $2.7 billion; their average fish yield was 292,223 tonnes; and arrow squid had an average catch value of $90.9 million. In the year ended March 2020, fish exports from Aotearoa totaled $1.8 billion, making fisheries Aotearoa’s 7th largest export commodity.
According to Stats NZ, for the year ended March 2023, the total tourism expenditure was $37.7 billion, making the tourism industry Aotearoa’s 2nd largest export commodity. Aotearoa’s unique, endemic, and endangered species, including New Zealand sea lions/pakake, are a major component of the tourism industry; therefore, giving our endemic and endangered wildlife a fighting chance, and intercepting their trajectory towards extinction, is not just morally our responsibility, but it will significantly benefit our economy.
Shane Jones and his party scrapping the Fishing Related Mortality Limit (FRML) of 52 pakake per year, will absolve fisheries of any responsibility towards pakake protection. Like any other entity and individual, fisheries should be held accountable for their direct and indirect impacts on endemic and endangered wildlife, including New Zealand sea lions/pakake.
Join me and speak up for pakake, who cannot speak for themselves. We are demanding that the FRML of 52 pakake per year be reinstated.
Participate in a photoshoot, shot by the amazing local photographer Kaitlin Bowe.
WHEN: 28/04/24 at 10.00am. Will finish by 12.00pm at the latest.
WHERE: Middle Beach (between St Clair and St Kilda) in Dunedin. Meet on Moana Rua Road.
WEAR: Simple, cream or brown coloured clothing. (Cows are cream/grey coloured and bulls are brown/black coloured).
BRING: A sign (optional) that states: “Reinstate the FRML”, “Protect Pakake”, “Save Sea Lions”, “Protect Endemic, Endangered Species”, “Fish Responsibly”.
Please do not participate in the photoshoot, if you do not consent to having your photo distributed.