Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will continue to establish a network of marine reserves and other protected
areas for the protection of marine biodiversity.
Labour will put measures in place to achieve further reductions in fisheries bycatch of
marine mammals and seabirds, including by mandatory targets and mitigation
measures.
Labour will increase protection for spawning fish and other critical life cycle stages
(including in freshwater) in order to sustain fish populations.
Given that oceans are essentially a shared worldwide resource, protection of our oceans
must also be a shared international responsibility. Labour will take a firm stance on
advocating international protection of marine natural resources.
Labour will promote the development of effective regional fisheries management
organisations (RFMOs) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS), including RFMOs for the Tasman Sea and South Pacific, to achieve
sustainable ecosystem-based management of oceans and fisheries and protection of
the marine environment.
Labour will work to reduce the environmental pressures caused by subsidies that
promote over-capacity and over-exploitation, and to remove trade barriers to
sustainably produced seafood products.
Labour will advocate the development of a network of marine reserves and other
marine protected areas around Antarctica, especially in the Ross Sea, and the
restriction of fishing activity to levels appropriate for the sensitive nature of the
Antarctic environment and its important intrinsic and wilderness values.
Māori customary rights
Fishing is part of the cultural heritage of Māori. Both recreational and commercial fishing are
important to Māori because they have always fished to feed their whanau, and traditionally
kai moana was traded among iwi, hapū and European settlers.
New Zealand must uphold Māori fishing rights and customs.
Labour will continue to implement the Māori customary fishing regulations.
Labour will facilitate the development of taiapure and mataitai reserves to enhance
the sustainability of kai moana and to complement marine reserves.
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