Greenpeace has launched a petition calling for the Government to ban seabed mining in New Zealand’s waters. The call comes as mining company Trans Tasman Resources Ltd (TTR) awaits the verdict of the Supreme Court on whether a controversial seabed mining project off the South Taranaki coast can go ahead. READ MORE:* Te Paati Māori bill seeks to ban seabed mining* No seabed mining in Taranaki waters as court decision overturns EPA consent* Appeal begins over seabed mining for ironsands off Taranaki coastIn a statement, Greenpeace oceans campaigner Jessica Desmond said a legislative ban is needed to ensure the long term health of the ocean. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the Greenpeace petition aligned with a private member’s bill she launched last month to ban seabed mining, which she hopes will be drawn from the parliamentary ballot soon. It would also retrospectively withdraw existing seabed mining consents and exploration rights under the EEZ Act and Crown Minerals Act and prohibit the ability to apply for exploration rights for seabed mining under the Crown Minerals Act.

Source: Stuff April 22, 2021 01:30 UTC