By Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
A gruelling 90-day, 1,367 kilometre endurance swim has helped ignite a nationwide movement to end bottom trawling, with tens of thousands of New Zealanders backing calls for stronger ocean protections.
Swimmer Jono Ridler completed the unassisted journey as part of the Swim4TheOcean campaign led by Olympic sailor Blair Tuke and the Live Ocean foundation, drawing attention to the environmental damage caused by destructive fishing practices.
The campaign has gathered more than 67,000 signatures, reflecting a surge in public concern about the impact of bottom trawling on marine ecosystems, particularly fragile seamount habitats.
Organisers say the achievement goes beyond the physical feat, with the real impact lying in the level of public engagement and awareness generated. The combination of a record-setting swim and a rapidly growing petition has brought ocean conservation into the national spotlight, creating momentum that advocates now want to translate into policy change.
The petition is set to be formally presented to Parliament later this month, with Live Ocean signalling that the next phase will focus on turning public support into concrete action. This includes pushing for stronger protections for vulnerable marine areas and accelerating a shift away from bottom trawling practices.
Immediate priorities include advocating for the closure of key seamount regions to trawling and working with partners to promote alternative, less damaging fishing methods. Campaign leaders are also encouraging communities to stay engaged by supporting sustainable seafood choices and continuing to apply pressure on decision-makers.
Looking ahead, success will be measured by tangible policy shifts, including expanded marine protections, clearer timelines for phasing out bottom trawling in sensitive areas, and stronger commitments from both government and industry.
There are growing calls for decisive action within the next year, with advocates seeking firm regulatory changes and investment in sustainable fishing practices as benchmarks of progress.
With public backing building and the campaign gaining national traction, pressure is mounting for leaders to respond, as Aotearoa confronts the challenge of balancing its marine economy with the long-term health of its oceans.