The New Zealand government has been accused of proposing international rules that stipulate where bottom trawling can be practiced by fishing vessels, despite overwhelming international criticism against the practice due to the damage it can cause to marine ecosystems. However the Ministry for Primary Industries have argued that they are merely asking for guidance on how the impact of trawling is assessed rather than pushing for a rule change. Bottom trawling uses heavy weighted nets to gather deep seas fish, and conservationists have stated that this can be very damaging to marine life such as coral and may be causing irreversible damage. Both Talley’s and Sealord, New Zealand owned fishing companies currently bottom trawl in both local and international waters. Greenpeace have stated that globally, countries are moving away from bottom trawling and that it is disappointing to see New Zealand wanting more freedom when partaking in the practice

To read this week's full edition of Field Notes, please click here.

To read the full original article, please click here.