October 30, 2005
Your stories
Here in Nelson, weve repeated our wish to talk with people involved in bottom trawling about their experiences at sea. From other places weve been to, and during previous visits to Nelson, we know that there are lots of fishers out there that are as concerned as we are about the impacts of bottom trawling, both on habitats of the deep sea, and on the ongoing sustainability of their work.
Were keen to ensure Government decision makers have the real story of what is happening out in international waters. Far from asking fishers to confess their sins, as weve heard our request labeled here, were asking concerned fishers to help ensure the future sustainability of the industry and protection for some of the crucial habitats and creatures of the deep sea.
People weve talked with so far have confirmed what weve seen out on the Tasman, what scientists are saying, and what images from Official Information Act requests have shown that bottom trawling in international waters is having a huge impact on the whole range of deep sea life, including the target fisheries.
However what were hearing from the leaders of the fishing industry is something quite different they say their nets dont touch the bottom, that they have nets that fly over the sea floor, carefully catching the target species, orange roughy.
Something doesnt quite add up.
So thats why were keen to talk to people who are or have been working on the boats. If you have a story to tell or pictures you would like to share, you can contact us confidentially on bottomtrawlinginfo@nz.greenpeace.org .
