A message from Kiwis Against Seabed Mining

Media Release: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, 26.09.16

Kia ora koutou

The seabed miners are back. Now is the time to have your say

Seabed mining company Trans Tasman Resources has re-applied for a marine licence to dig up 50 million tonnes of the South Taranaki Bight seabed every year for the next 20 years, to get at the black
sand – or ironsand – to sell to Asia for steelmaking.

The Environmental Protection Authority is now calling for us, the public to have our say on the matter. Last time, 99% of the 4800 submissions were opposed – in fact there were only eight in support. KASM and others mounted a very strong argument against it – and we won.

Earlier this year scientists documented a pygmy blue whale and her calf in the South Taranaki Bight – providing even more reason to oppose seabed mining there. The whales regularly move through the Bight and it could be a foraging ground – one of only five outside the Antarctic.

We’ve stopped them before, and we can do it again.

We need your help to stop this destructive industry.   Just fill out the submission form here – we have made it easy for you.    If you feel deeply about this issue, we encourage you  to speak at the hearings (probably late November or early December) – so be sure to tick that box.

We’ve been busy inspiring ocean protection.  Last Monday, we were joined on the steps of Parliament by Ngati Ruanui of Patea, to hand in a 6000-strong petition calling for a moratorium on seabed mining.
We’ve also held public meetings in Piha, Muriwai, Patea and Raglan, and this week we’re heading back to Taranaki for more. Please spread the word and come along if you’re in the area (see below for details).

Please join us in saying no to seabed mining – make your voice heard now!

To find out what else you can do to help us get the word out, and get as many submissions as possible check out our list of suggestions here.

Thank you for staying engaged with this important issue, we’ll be back in touch soon with more updates.

Kia kaha

Phil McCabe
Chairperson