Our once beloved ocean is drowning in silence, not from overfishing itself, but from the unseen victims of bycatch.

Everyday, a diverse range of non-target marine life are caught up in the big nets of commercial fishers, simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These animals were never meant to be captured, yet they still pay the price.

What is the driving cause of the decline in marine life in our beloved New Zealand seas?

Bycatch

Bycatch is the result of commercial fishing organizations operating using massive nets to capture a target species of fish (e.g., tuna, salmon, and kingfish). However, in the process, a wide range of unintended marine life are captured in crossfire. The average amount of bycaught produce caught in these fishing nets tends to range from 10%-60% of the final catch. Shockingly, many of these animals tend to include New Zealand's indigenous dolphins, whales, and sea turtles.

We are calling for urgent action to reform the laws governing commercial fishing in New Zealand. The current policies approved by the minister of oceans and fisheries permit large fishing companies to operate in sensitive marine life habitats, home to many native sea life. As a result protected and native dolphin species, sea turtles, and seabirds are all being captured unintentionally and end up discarded, often dead. We are encouraging the government to influence big fines for those who violate the code of conduct regarding bycatch.

We are protesting for the government to enforce 

• Stricter and harsher rules and regulations towards bycatch limits and regulations
• Substantial fines for those who violate bycatch protocols 
• Ban on large-scale fishing in protected marine-life sensitive areas 
   

Our marine life is in crisis, and its our responsibility to protect them!

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