Endangered Species Foundation Calls for Urgent Withdrawal of Damaging South Pacific Bottom Trawling Proposal
- Natalie Jessup
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation, alongside seven other leading New Zealand conservation organisations, has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon demanding the immediate withdrawal of a controversial proposal that would weaken protections for vulnerable deep-sea coral ecosystems in the South Pacific.
78% of New Zealanders support a ban on bottom trawling in the South Pacific high seas.
(Horizon Research Environment Survey, November 2025)
A New Zealand proposal COMM14-Prop07, scheduled for consideration at the upcoming South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) meeting in Panama from 2-6 March 2026, would significantly increase the amount of coral and other vulnerable deep-sea species that can be destroyed as bycatch without consequence.
"This proposal represents a betrayal of New Zealand values and our international commitments to ocean protection. New Zealanders overwhelmingly want stronger protection for our marine ecosystems, not weaker regulations that allow more destruction of ancient coral habitats. The Government needs to listen to New Zealanders and withdraw this damaging proposal before it shames our country on the international stage,"
— Natalie Jessup, General Manager, Endangered Species Foundation
How NZ is Undermining Oceans Restoration
The proposal would reverse hard-won progress made by SPRFMO to prevent harm to sensitive deep-sea habitats and ecosystems - a particularly concerning development given that New Zealand was instrumental in establishing SPRFMO and has traditionally been a leader in ocean conservation.
New Zealand is now the only country with a bottom trawl fleet still operating in the high seas of the South Pacific
Recent breaches: NZ trawlers have twice recently breached SPRFMO coral bycatch thresholds, triggering immediate closures
One incident resulted in a conviction for illegally failing to report bycatch, including a horrific 6-tonne coral bycatch in a single trawl on the Chatham Rise (see below).
"At a moment when the world is rallying to protect ocean biodiversity, New Zealand is proposing to go backwards. We're asking to be allowed to destroy more coral, at a time when we should be protecting these irreplaceable ecosystems. This makes no sense from a conservation, economic, or reputational perspective."
— Karli Thomas, Aotearoa Seamounts Campaign Lead, Deep Sea Conservation Coalition & ESF Oceans Advisor
Out of Step with International Commitments
The proposal marks a significant retreat from New Zealand's commitments under:
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect biodiversity
The High Seas Treaty, which New Zealand signed and has strongly supported
The recent IUCN Resolution to protect biodiversity on seamounts, supported by over 95% of IUCN government members including all Pacific Island members
Public Support for Protection
The conservation call comes amid growing public support for ending destructive fishing practices. Long-distance swimmer Jono Ridler is currently more than 500 kilometers into a 1,350 km swim from North Cape to Wellington, delivering a powerful call for an end to bottom trawling, including on all seamounts.
The reality of bottom trawling in sensitive areas was starkly revealed through David Attenborough's film Ocean, debunking any claims that New Zealand's bottom trawling is somehow more sustainable than practices elsewhere.
The New Zealand DSCC Coalition of NGO's warn that debating this proposal at SPRFMO would cost New Zealand its credibility in the South Pacific and position the government on the wrong side of history in ocean protection.
"New Zealanders expect our Government to reflect the same concern and care for our ocean that we do," the letter states. "New Zealand's response should be to protect these vulnerable marine ecosystems, including seamounts, and to support international efforts to prevent further damage to such ancient and fragile ecosystems. This proposal does the opposite."
The letter to Prime Minister Luxon was signed by eight leading conservation organisations:
Tāngaro Tuia te Ora - Endangered Species Foundation
Environment and Conservation Organisations (ECO)
Forest and Bird
Greenpeace Aotearoa
LegaSea
Live Ocean
Our Seas Our Future
WWF-New Zealand
The coalition, coordinated by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, represents broad consensus across New Zealand's conservation movement that this proposal is unacceptable.
What Happens Next?
The SPRFMO Commission meeting takes place in Panama from 2-6 March 2026.
The NZ Deep Sea Conservaiton Coalition is calling for the Prime Minister to withdraw the proposal before it reaches the international forum.
The Endangered Species Foundation will continue to advocate for the protection of New Zealand's marine ecosystems and hold the Government accountable to the values and expectations of New Zealanders.
