Stop Government by Signing Petition Says Shark Man

A desperate last effort were the words used by Tairua marine scientist, Dr Riley Elliott, as he made a plea for people to support the petition calling for a halt to establishing marine protection areas around the Aldermen and Slipper Islands.

Speaking to CFM’s Fabian Roberts, the renowned shark man, said he made the call despite being a supporter of marine reserves and marine conservation.

He labelled the decision to establish the two marine reserves off the south-eastern Coromandel Peninsula coast as “green washing” maintaining people in Government had not listened to many of the local stakeholder submissions during the process.

When asked what were the three things Riley wanted to occur, he said for people to sign the petition, continue work to eliminate destructive fishing habits and get out and enjoy what the sea and ocean has to offer.

Links to the petition can be found on the cfm website, app and Facebook page.

Open the link below to hear our interview with Dr Riley Elliott.