A flotilla of boats will take to the waters between Auckland and Waiheke Island subsequent week as New Zealanders name for a right away ban on harmful backside trawling in Tīkapa Moana the Hauraki Gulf.
Sign up right here for the Saturday April 11 match.
The Display Your Center for the Hauraki flotilla and seaside actions will see members sail from Ōkahu Bay to Oneroa Seaside, Waiheke Island, becoming a member of extra folks at the sand for an afternoon of birthday party, protest and group motion in defence of the Gulf.
Organised through Greenpeace Aotearoa and Woodland & Hen, along iwi and group teams, the development is available in reinforce of a transparent and ongoing public mandate for more potent coverage of the Hauraki Gulf, which stays below power from backside trawling throughout the Marine Park.
“Bottom trawling bulldozes the seafloor and destroys ecosystems that are vital to a healthy ocean and thriving Hauraki Gulf,” says Greenpeace oceans campaigner Juan Parada.
“New Zealanders have been clear they want the Hauraki Gulf protected, yet governments continue to allow this destructive practice in one of our most precious marine areas. It’s time politicians listen and ban bottom trawling in the Marine Park”
Contributors at the water will collect round a 150 sq. metre floating banner calling for an finish to backside trawling, growing a formidable visible message aimed without delay at politicians.
Onshore, Oneroa Seaside will host circle of relatives‑pleasant seaside actions that includes reside track, a shared BBQ, audio system, face portray and actions celebrating the lifestyles and mauri of Tīkapa Moana.
Woodland & Hen says the development displays rising frustration on the persevered decline of the Gulf.
“The Hauraki Gulf sustains communities, culture and wildlife. It provides kai, recreation, and habitat for some of Aotearoa’s most treasured species – from snapper and trevally to Bryde’s whales and seabirds,” says Bianca Ranson, nationwide conservation recommend for Woodland & Hen.
Boats and kayaks encompass a big floating ban backside trawling banner within the Hauraki Gulf right through a 2023 protest
“But its ecosystem is collapsing. Overfishing, sedimentation, pollution and climate impacts, combined with bottom trawling, are pushing species towards local extinction. We need strong action now to restore the Gulf.”
Backside trawling is broadly recognised as one of the harmful fishing strategies, dragging heavy equipment around the seabed and destroying important habitats which might be gradual to recuperate.
Campaigners say there is not any long run for sustainable fisheries with out finishing harmful fishing practices and transitioning to strategies that may maintain our ocean’s lifestyles, longer term.
Many hundreds of folks have already sponsored public petitions calling at the Govt to prohibit backside trawling within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
“The choice for politicians is simple,” says Parada. “They can side with a small number of commercial interests, or they can listen to the vast majority of New Zealanders who want a living, thriving Gulf – not kina barrens and empty seas.”
The general public is inspired to participate at the water, at the seaside, or on-line through signing and sharing petitions and registering for the development.
EVENT DETAILS
Sign up right here
Date: Saturday 11 April 2026Wet climate date: Saturday 18 April 2026
Flotilla
9.00am: Flotilla departs Ōkahu Bay, Auckland
Boats sail in combination to Oneroa, Waiheke Island
Kayaks and paddleboards too can release from Oneroa round 12.30pm (TBC)
Seaside Competition – Oneroa Seaside, Waiheke
1.00pm: Reside track, BBQ, audio system, circle of relatives actions
Afternoon: Mass second of solidarity and banner deployment
PETITION: Ban backside trawling within the Hauraki Gulf
Name upon the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to prohibit all types of cellular bottom-contact fishing together with backside trawling, scallop dredging and Danish seining throughout the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Signal the petition
