The Government has continued its war on nature, with two new measures that put fishing industry profits above ocean health, says Greenpeace Aotearoa.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones yesterday announced that levies paid by the fishing industry will be slashed by nearly $5 million dollars - including a reduction in payments to the Department of Conservation.

The levies are used to manage the environmental impacts of commercial fishing. This includes monitoring fish populations, making sure observers are on boats, and researching the impacts fishing is having on the wider ocean environment.

The same day, Shane Jones announced a bill that will extend coastal permits for marine farms by 20 years - with few or no environmental monitoring conditions.

Greenpeace oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper says it’s no secret that Jones is a self-proclaimed ‘apostle of industry’ and raised concerns that reduced levies and unchecked marine farm consents would have impacts on an already struggling ocean.

"New Zealanders want a healthy, thriving ocean, but time and time again, we see an Oceans and Fisheries Minister that caves to industry interests, prioritising private commercial gain over the wellbeing of the oceans," says Hooper.

"All of us depend on a healthy ocean - because it mitigates climate change, supports the vast majority of biodiversity on our planet, and feeds communities. It is not simply a commercial resource, it is of integral importance to the wellbeing of people and planet.

"We know that things like onboard observers which the levies contribute to, increase transparency and keep commercial fishers accountable about what happens out at sea, including when rare corals, fur seals, dolphins and seabirds like albatross are netted and killed."

The cut to levies will also affect research and monitoring of fish numbers and other species and habitats impacted by commercial fishing.

"Cutting levies that pay for monitoring, research and compliance, and the unchecked extension of aquaculture consents, is reckless and shows that Luxon’s anti-nature Government sees the ocean as something to be exploited, with no respect or regard for the life that depends on it.

"If the government really cared about healthy oceans, they would act to protect marine life and listen to the public. New Zealanders overwhelmingly want destructive bottom trawling banned from where it does the most harm, like on seamounts and in the Hauraki Gulf, and they support cameras on the full commercial fishing fleet."

Independent polling shows that 80% of people polled - including 80% of National voters and 78% of NZ First voters - saying they support cameras on boats and almost 80% of people agree that the Government should ban bottom trawling on these seamounts.

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