Opponents label National's fishing policy 'desperate' and a 'flip-flop'
New Zealand's National Party has proposed a new fishing policy that includes marine reserves and restrictions on commercial fishing methods. Opponents, including NZ First, have criticized the plan as unresearched and potentially harmful to the economy and consumer prices.
Why it matters
The policy highlights internal tensions within potential coalition partners and raises questions about the balance between environmental conservation and economic stability in New Zealand.
New Zealand First says National's fishing policy is desperate and unresearched, and would have huge impacts on employment and the costs of fish.
Meanwhile, environmental groups and parties to National's left say National cannot be trusted on the issue, given the party's track record this term.
After a spearfishing trip departing from Auckland's Takapuna Beach on Saturday, National leader Christopher Luxon announced the policy to ban ring-net fishing in the Hauraki Gulf , establish a new Waiheke Island marine reserve, ban commercial sales of marlin, and review bottom trawling on sea mounts with a view to reducing use of the technique over time.
NZ First's Shane Jones has been championing the fishing industry this term of government, so the policy would appear to be a shot across his bow - and Luxon said he did not care what Jones might think of it.
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