Source: Radio New Zealand
Cars towing boats travel across the city on Saturday morning. Jessica Hopkins / RNZ
A convoy of recreational fishers have made their way across the Auckland Harbour Bridge as they to Auckland CBD for a rally on Saturday morning.
The One Ocean protest, co-organised by fishing enthusiast Ben Chissell, targets aspects of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Act and other proposed fishing reforms.
Ben Chissell, organiser of the One Ocean Protest in Auckland, fishing on the Hauraki Gulf, with his family. supplied
The law, which came into effect in October, created a group of new marine protected zones while also allowing exclusive use of two highly protected areas by commercial ring-net fishing operators.
Chissell earlier said the protest was not against commercial fishing but his position was that if the Hauraki Gulf was so badly depleted that areas needed to be shut off, then no-one should fish them.
He said protesters would come from all over to join the convoy on its 30km journey from the Albany Park n Ride departing at 8.30am.
“We’ve got people coming from Kaitaia, Ahipara, Tauranga, Whitianga, Waikato, all over the show. We’ve got guys putting their boats on trailers, getting on the ferry from Waiheke and Great Barrier and coming over.
“So it’s going to be a lot bigger than I guess even when we initially hoped.”
A New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesperson earlier said the convoy would be using the Oteha Valley Rd on-ramp and State Highway 16 Port off-ramp, when travelling to and from SH1.
The convoy nearing Auckland city. Jessica Hopkins / RNZ
“This could lead to congestion in those areas and may mean the Park ‘n’ Ride is busier than usual.
“NZTA and AT (Auckland Transport) will be closely monitoring the impact on the city’s network through our joint Auckland Traffic Operations Centre and will notify the public of any significant disruption through our usual channels, including the AT Mobile app and NZTA website Journey Planner.”
Despite concerns of traffic congestion, by 10am, the hundreds of people driving in part of the convoy had mostly passed over the Harboru Bridge with minimal disruption.
There was a police presence at the Albany Park ‘n’ Ride and police escorted the protest along the route while parking wardens were in place to manage the roll out, according to protest information.
There should be no “boat riding”, organisers said and banners and flags must be secured.
“This is a peaceful protest, and our goal is a safe and successful event. Please use common sense, look out for one another, and remember, we’re all in this together,” the One Ocean website said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
