Fishing sustainability issues to the fore: Media release 2 March 2010

Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.

Introduction

Department of Conservation (DOC) are urging you to think about the contribution you make to sustainable fishing through Seaweek this year which starts this Sunday 7th March.

Date: 02 March 2010

Trudi Ngawhare, Community Relations Ranger, says the main goal of Seaweek is to have activities that inspire everyone to celebrate and learn from our sea, increasing our affinity to look after our marine environment. “We have a wonderful resource which we utilize in so many ways, it’s useful to take stock and look at our impact individually asking how will we manage this privilege now and into the future?"

“The 2010 theme, 'Fish for the Future', has drawn out various conversations about what sustainable fishing means and it’s great to be able to focus on that in a way which is fun and educational.”

DOC are joining up with Ministry of Fisheries for school activities, with support from Gisborne District Council and Turanga Ararau Conservation Corp. “The marine environment is important to many groups in the community, it makes sense that we come together to inspire others to celebrate the sea. We had such a good response from schools up the Coast and in Gisborne, so we are all looking forward to a fun Seaweek with our communities” says Ms Ngawhare.

To kick-off local events Al Fleming (Forest & Bird) will provide a marine presentation at 7.30pm on Monday 8 March at Hearing Association entry by coin donation. DOC will be visiting some primary schools in the upper Eastern Bay of Plenty through to Tokomaru Bay and Gisborne (8-10 March) providing presentations on marine environment. An education day for Wainui Beach School and Rere School is planned at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve on 11 and 12 March. A beach clean-up by Forest & Bird at Te Tapuwae o Rongokako is also scheduled, those interested meet at Pouawa Riverside at 10am on Wednesday 10 March.

Two competitions DOC/Turanga FM “Best Composition” closes Friday 5 March and Tairawhiti Environment Centre Sea Week Poetry and Pictures closes 14 March. Keep an eye out for the “Fish of the Day” during Sea Week in the paper (Gisborne Herald) next Monday 8th March.