Further legal action will be taken against the Government surrounding the protection of sea habitats and the species which rely on them, a marine conservation group says.
Last week, the High Court ruled the Government was allowing too many crayfish to be caught around Northland when it set the total allowable catch limit set in the past two years because it was not given enough information about the negative effects on the underwater ecosystem.
Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) and Te Uri O Hikihiki hapū senior policy adviser Ingrid O’Sullivan said its case confirmed the minister was not told there would be a rise in the number of kina, which crayfish ate, and they could destroy kelp beds which were like a nursery for many sea life.
The impact of harvesting crayfish was not taken into account and the judge ordered the minister re-make his decision while taking into account that information, O’Sullivan said.
