15 March 2006

Paul Henry swallows Chris Carter's shark story, hook, line and stinker

"Conservation Minister Chris Carter's 'say everything do nothing' ideas on saving the great white got an unexpected boost today from TV One's talk host Paul Henry simply because he was ignorant of the issues", said John Friend ORNZ Marine Coordinator.

"The fact is that it was obvious from the interview conducted by Paul Henry that he had not one insight to offer, nor a decent question regarding the real issues concerning the depleting numbers of the great white shark. It must be a new TVNZ interviewing technique to be so ill-prepared that he couldn't even remember which one was New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council Chairman Keith Ingram and which one was Barry Weeber of Forest and Bird!

"Of course, a rude and shallow interviewing style may make for best blooper; it does precious little to help inform the public.

"We need to clear up the misunderstandings. The Minister will create further problems by pushing for bad legislation. If he really wants to do something for our oceanic sharks then he should address the real problem and not play silly buggers.

"Firstly, he could ban the practice of fining sharks at sea, alive or dead. Shark fins should only be got from legitimately caught sharks from those landed attached to the sharks trunks, so that they are recorded either as by-catch or against quota.

"Secondly, he can ban the importation of shark fin products and trade in jaws.

"And finally, he could apply Government pressure to those Nations who encourage the practice of fining of sharks at sea for the sole purpose of the dried shark fin trade.

"Anything else and the Ministers decision will again make criminals out of normal law abiding citizens, because recreational fishers actually support the high seas protection of our oceanic sharks.

"The challenge is there.not only for the Minister to come to his senses, but also for Paul Henry and TVNZ to apologise. And don't they both need some good publicity for a change?"

ENDS

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