Source: Scoop Politics
Author: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining
Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Greenpeace today heralded the High Court’s decision to uphold their appeal against the Environmental Protection Agency’s granting of a consent to Trans Tasman Resources to mine the seabed in the South Taranaki Bight, hailing it as a “victory for the oceans.”
“This is a victory for the thousands of people who have protested and the 13,000 who made submissions against this awful proposal, a victory for the South Taranaki Bight, the blue whales and the entire New Zealand marine ecosystem,” said Cindy Baxter, Chairperson of Kiwis Against Seabed Mining.
The EPA had granted the company consent to dig up 50 million tonnes of the South Taranaki Bight Seabed – in a 66sqkm area – for 35 years, to get 5,000 tonnes of iron ore a year.
Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Greenpeace appealed, alongside Ngati Ruanui, Nga Rauru, fishing companies and organisations including Talley’s and Te Ohu Kai Moana, Forest and Bird, and the Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board. Attached to the decision was a set of 109 conditions, many of which were challenged by the appellants.
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