Environment Minister David Parker. Photo: RNZEnvironment Minister David Parker says he is open to the idea of phasing out bottom trawling in areas that have not already been trawled. WWF New Zealand ocean programme manager Lucy Jacob said bottom trawling was the underwater equivalent of bulldozing an entire area. Sage wanted the government to act quickly to protect seamounts as a priority, before moving to restrict trawling in areas where it was already taking place. Environment Minister David Parker offered a compromise instead.

Source: Otago Daily Times July 11, 2021 04:18 UTC