Photo: Sealord/FIS

Seafood New Zealand Alerts Public: Greenpeace Tactics Pose Safety Risks to Fishers

Recent on-water actions by Greenpeace, including spray-painting vessels and engaging in confrontational maneuvers, are being decried by Seafood New Zealand as dangerous and an "on-water home invasion." The industry body warns that these tactics are creating an unsafe environment and could lead to serious harm, urging Greenpeace to engage in dialogue instead of direct action.

WELLINGTON – New Zealand's seafood industry is raising serious alarms following a series of confrontational incidents involving Greenpeace on the water. What Greenpeace describes as protest, fishers and industry representatives are calling a "violation" and dangerously reckless behavior.

Greenpeace Aotearoa activists confront the Talley’s bottom trawler Amatal Atlantis on the Chatham Rise, painting “ocean killer” on its hull to protest destructive bottom trawling. © Paul Hilton / Greenpeace

Late last week, Greenpeace activists reportedly spray-painted "ocean killer" onto a Talley's vessel while it was fishing on the Chatham Rise. Just days later, a Sealord vessel received similar treatment, with both ships allegedly chased and filmed by the environmental group.

While Greenpeace states its actions are aimed at calling out "destructive fishing techniques," Seafood New Zealand counters that bottom contact fishing in New Zealand has a small footprint and employs numerous methods to minimize environmental impacts.

Photo taken by the crew of the F/V Ocean Dawn. Source: Sealord -->

However, the primary concern voiced by Seafood New Zealand and many within the industry isn't just about the message, but the methods. "Lawful protest is acceptable," stated a representative from Seafood New Zealand. "But our worry, and across many people in the industry we have spoken to in recent days, is that Greenpeace's actions may lead to someone being seriously hurt or even killed."

The organization described Greenpeace's tactics as "foolish and unsafe." Sealord provided a specific example where Greenpeace crew "positioned themselves under the Ocean Dawn’s factory water sump outlet, which meant water poured onto them when the factory sump’s automatic float switch self-activated." This maneuver, according to Sealord, put the protestors at risk of being knocked out of their boat and potentially sucked underneath the large vessel.

Greenpeace Aotearoa activists paint “ocean killer” on the hull of Ocean Dawn, a bottom trawling vessel owned by Sealord. Greenpeace is documenting bottom trawlers on the Chatham Rise off the east coast of the South Island as part of a campaign to ban bottom trawling on seamounts and features. Photo: Video Greenpeace

Beyond the physical dangers, the emotional toll on the fishing crews is significant. The Sealord skipper reportedly expressed feeling "completely violated and helpless." He added, "You do your best to keep everyone safe and well. We do our utmost to adhere to all the regulations and protocols in terms of health and safety and Maritime New Zealand rules. To witness this being totally ignored is flabbergasting!" Crew members have echoed these sentiments, describing the experience as feeling like an "on-water home invasion."

Photo: © Paul Hilton / Greenpeace

For commercial fishing teams, their vessels are their living and working spaces. Being chased, witnessing their property vandalized, and facing incredibly dangerous behavior is perceived as invasive and frightening.

In response to these escalating tensions, Seafood New Zealand has issued a clear call to Greenpeace: "We call on Greenpeace to try talking, not stalking."

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