27 May 2010

NZ seafood rejected on international market again

Major international shipping company, Maersk, has refused to ship orange roughy, adding to the rising tide of international rejection of the NZ seafood industry, the Green Party said today.

“First international supermarket chains refused to sell NZ orange roughy, now shipping companies will not even move it. How far down the chain must the message get before the NZ seafood industry catches up with the wave of environmental awareness which is sweeping the world?” said Green Party Oceans Spokesperson Gareth Hughes.

“New Zealand orange roughy has been fished to near collapse using highly destructive bottom trawling methods. Even with consumers becoming very conscientious about protecting our oceans, we continue to be one of the world’s largest suppliers of orange roughy,” Mr Hughes said.

“We could have a better performing industry if our fisheries were managed with precaution and our export brand was enhanced. Consumers have power, and because of them, companies like Maersk, which carries around 40% of New Zealand’s seaborne trade, are sending some clear signals to our Government.

“The Green Party is supporting a petition campaign led by the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) calling for a Government Inquiry into the New Zealand seafood industry – particularly addressing concerns around sustainability, job security, and maximising the value of the industry. This latest development illustrates just how necessary this is,” Mr Hughes said.

Link to petition
http://www.sfwu.org.nz/

ENDS

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