Increase fine for Orca ‘Body Slam’!
Increase fine for Orca ‘Body Slam’!
The issue
Petition: Increase fine for man who body slammed orca!
Man jumps off boat, in attempt to body slam orca.
Infringement fine: only $600!
We say this is not enough and fails to set a strong example against such cruelty.
Background:
"A video shared to Instagram in February showed a man jump from a boat into the sea off the coast of Devonport, Auckland (New Zealand) near two orca (male and calf). At one point in the video the man yells “I touched it” to other people on the boat, before asking “did you get it?”, in apparent reference to the filming of his antics. Other people aboard the vessel laugh and cheer as they watch. As well as the initial attempt to dive onto the animal, the man stays in the water and then swims toward it again in a second attempt to touch it. After the video was shared with Department of Conservation, DOC authorities then went to his home address to speak to him about the incident. "He basically refused to speak to us. He didn't provide an explanation, so yeah, we are unable to understand why he did it.", Principal Investigation Officer stated."
Orca & other Marine Mammals:
Orca are highly intelligent and social creatures and display complex behaviours that demonstrate their advanced intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is our responsibility to protect these creatures from harm and to ensure that they are treated with the respect they deserve.
New Zealand Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 1978
The New Zealand Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was established in 1978 to protect marine mammals within New Zealand waters. The MMPA makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.
"Anyone charged with harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a marine mammal faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine to a maximum of $250,000."
In our opinion the recent penalty of only $600 is insufficient to uphold the principles of the MMPA.
This penalty is far too lenient and fails to set a strong example against such harassment, cruelty and ignorance.
Learn more about the MMPA:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/sharing-our-coasts-with-marine-mammals/
We need to ensure that penalties for harming marine life are stringent enough to prevent future abuses and to reflect the severity of the crime.
Call to Action
We are calling on authorities to increase the fine in this particular case!
A higher penalty will send a clear message that abuse towards marine life is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
By signing this petition, you are standing up for orca and other marine animals. You are demanding justice for these intelligent creatures and urging authorities to take meaningful action to protect them under the MMPA.
Please join us in calling for a stricter enforcement against this ignorant behaviour!
Together, we can ensure a safer and more respectful world for orcas and all ocean inhabitants. Thank you for your support in protecting our marine life and ensuring justice for orca.
306
The issue
Petition: Increase fine for man who body slammed orca!
Man jumps off boat, in attempt to body slam orca.
Infringement fine: only $600!
We say this is not enough and fails to set a strong example against such cruelty.
Background:
"A video shared to Instagram in February showed a man jump from a boat into the sea off the coast of Devonport, Auckland (New Zealand) near two orca (male and calf). At one point in the video the man yells “I touched it” to other people on the boat, before asking “did you get it?”, in apparent reference to the filming of his antics. Other people aboard the vessel laugh and cheer as they watch. As well as the initial attempt to dive onto the animal, the man stays in the water and then swims toward it again in a second attempt to touch it. After the video was shared with Department of Conservation, DOC authorities then went to his home address to speak to him about the incident. "He basically refused to speak to us. He didn't provide an explanation, so yeah, we are unable to understand why he did it.", Principal Investigation Officer stated."
Orca & other Marine Mammals:
Orca are highly intelligent and social creatures and display complex behaviours that demonstrate their advanced intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is our responsibility to protect these creatures from harm and to ensure that they are treated with the respect they deserve.
New Zealand Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 1978
The New Zealand Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was established in 1978 to protect marine mammals within New Zealand waters. The MMPA makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.
"Anyone charged with harassing, disturbing, injuring or killing a marine mammal faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine to a maximum of $250,000."
In our opinion the recent penalty of only $600 is insufficient to uphold the principles of the MMPA.
This penalty is far too lenient and fails to set a strong example against such harassment, cruelty and ignorance.
Learn more about the MMPA:
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/sharing-our-coasts-with-marine-mammals/
We need to ensure that penalties for harming marine life are stringent enough to prevent future abuses and to reflect the severity of the crime.
Call to Action
We are calling on authorities to increase the fine in this particular case!
A higher penalty will send a clear message that abuse towards marine life is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
By signing this petition, you are standing up for orca and other marine animals. You are demanding justice for these intelligent creatures and urging authorities to take meaningful action to protect them under the MMPA.
Please join us in calling for a stricter enforcement against this ignorant behaviour!
Together, we can ensure a safer and more respectful world for orcas and all ocean inhabitants. Thank you for your support in protecting our marine life and ensuring justice for orca.
306
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Petition created on 21 May 2024