A concerned local has proven that a few local voices have the power to bring about change.

After speaking out against the marine harvesting in the Omaha Beach rock pools, support was gathered from other residents and local MP Chris Penk, and a petition was submitted to parliament.  

The petition is asking that the House of Representatives pass legislation to reduce the limits for collecting sea life currently set under the Fisheries Act 1996. The rock pools and shorelines are being harvested at rates that don’t allow for adequate regeneration. People are upsetting the fragile ecosystems and balances in play. Some shorelines have little or no sea creatures left. Birds, sea life and other creatures depend on the rock pools for food which is disappearing at alarming rates. It is time to treasure this Taonga for today’s ecosystems and tomorrow’s Kiwis.

The petition has been approved, published and is now available to sign. In the first 24 hours, over 200 signatures were received. The petition, published on the 4th of December, is nearing 500 signatures. 

Open to sign until the 31st of March 2021, there is plenty of time to share it around and collect more signatures. After that, it will be presented and reported on, and the decision on whether the legislation will pass will go ahead. 

If you want to support this petition, you can find it here.