Latest news with #ShaunLee
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Alliance Renews Call For Bottom Trawling Ban In Hauraki Gulf
Press Release – Greenpeace Members of the Hauraki Gulf Alliance have deployed a massive 'Ban Bottom Trawling' banner on the deck of the Rainbow Warrior, demanding an end to destructive bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The Alliance, which includes Forest & Bird, LegaSea and Greenpeace, has a long-running campaign to remove trawling from Hauraki Gulf and the renewed call comes as bottom trawling faces increased public scrutiny. Speaking from the Rainbow Warrior, in the Gulf, 'Heal the Hauraki' documentary producer Mandy Kupenga says: 'For too long, the practice of bottom trawling has bulldozed the rich and fragile ecosystems beneath the surface of the Hauraki Gulf. Entire ocean communities have been devastated. What happens beneath the waves doesn't stay there-when we lose biodiversity in the sea, we lose part of what sustains life on land as well. 'We cannot continue turning a blind eye. It's time to restore the mauri-the life force-of the Gulf, and honour our responsibility to future generations. Ending bottom trawling in and around the Hauraki Gulf isn't just a conservation decision. It's a moral one.' Gulf advocate Shaun Lee says the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries 'needs to listen to 97.2% of 8,909 submitters who have asked for a full ban on bottom impact fishing in the Gulf'. LegaSea spokesperson Benn Winlove says he is disappointed the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries is willing to ignore such strong public sentiment against bottom trawling. 'Public opposition to environmental destruction is growing and it's incredible that a Minister in charge of ensuring sustainability of fish populations and their habitat is willing to let bottom trawling continue in the Gulf, let alone in the Marine Park.' Bianca Ranson, campaigner from Forest & Bird, says: '97% of submitters have called for a complete ban of bottom impact fishing in the Hauraki Gulf yet the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, mocks Tīkapa Moana calling it 'just a mud-stained bottom'. That is an insult to every living thing that depends on this ocean and to future generations who deserve thriving ecosystems abundant with life. Trawling rips up the seafloor turning vibrant thriving ecosystems into lifeless mud. Every year, massive weighted nets are dragged across the seafloor of Tīkapa Moana, killing all life in its path, destroying nurseries for fish, and choking the seabed in suffocating plumes of sedimentation. It's time to end bottom trawling.' Bottom trawling is a fishing method that involves dragging heavy nets over the seafloor to catch fish, stirring up sediment, releasing carbon and indiscriminately killing marine life. This is not the first time the massive banner has been used. Hundreds of people turned out to a flotilla in Auckland in 2023 to call for an end to trawling in the Gulf, while that same year a petition calling for a ban signed by nearly 37,000 people was handed into parliament.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Alliance Renews Call For Bottom Trawling Ban In Hauraki Gulf
Members of the Hauraki Gulf Alliance have deployed a massive 'Ban Bottom Trawling' banner on the deck of the Rainbow Warrior, demanding an end to destructive bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The Alliance, which includes Forest & Bird, LegaSea and Greenpeace, has a long-running campaign to remove trawling from Hauraki Gulf and the renewed call comes as bottom trawling faces increased public scrutiny. Speaking from the Rainbow Warrior, in the Gulf, "Heal the Hauraki" documentary producer Mandy Kupenga says: "For too long, the practice of bottom trawling has bulldozed the rich and fragile ecosystems beneath the surface of the Hauraki Gulf. Entire ocean communities have been devastated. What happens beneath the waves doesn't stay there-when we lose biodiversity in the sea, we lose part of what sustains life on land as well. "We cannot continue turning a blind eye. It's time to restore the mauri-the life force-of the Gulf, and honour our responsibility to future generations. Ending bottom trawling in and around the Hauraki Gulf isn't just a conservation decision. It's a moral one." Gulf advocate Shaun Lee says the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries "needs to listen to 97.2% of 8,909 submitters who have asked for a full ban on bottom impact fishing in the Gulf". LegaSea spokesperson Benn Winlove says he is disappointed the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries is willing to ignore such strong public sentiment against bottom trawling. "Public opposition to environmental destruction is growing and it's incredible that a Minister in charge of ensuring sustainability of fish populations and their habitat is willing to let bottom trawling continue in the Gulf, let alone in the Marine Park." Bianca Ranson, campaigner from Forest & Bird, says: "97% of submitters have called for a complete ban of bottom impact fishing in the Hauraki Gulf yet the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, mocks Tīkapa Moana calling it 'just a mud-stained bottom'. That is an insult to every living thing that depends on this ocean and to future generations who deserve thriving ecosystems abundant with life. Trawling rips up the seafloor turning vibrant thriving ecosystems into lifeless mud. Every year, massive weighted nets are dragged across the seafloor of Tīkapa Moana, killing all life in its path, destroying nurseries for fish, and choking the seabed in suffocating plumes of sedimentation. It's time to end bottom trawling." Bottom trawling is a fishing method that involves dragging heavy nets over the seafloor to catch fish, stirring up sediment, releasing carbon and indiscriminately killing marine life. This is not the first time the massive banner has been used. Hundreds of people turned out to a flotilla in Auckland in 2023 to call for an end to trawling in the Gulf, while that same year a petition calling for a ban signed by nearly 37,000 people was handed into parliament.
CNA
18-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Durian prices in Singapore expected to drop by up to 30% in July at peak harvest period
SINGAPORE: Durian enthusiasts can look forward to a welcome relief for their wallets next month when the harvest season reaches its peak. Sellers across Singapore said they predict prices for the king of fruits will drop by as much as 30 per cent then. But they also warned that this could change if the weather turns bad and affects upcoming harvests. Sam Ho, owner of Uncle Sam Durian at Clementi Market & Food Centre, said his supply this season looks set to be better than the last. This is despite the peak harvest period coming a little later this year. The durian season typically runs from June to September, but Mr Ho said it will reach its peak only in July this year – something he attributed to climate change. The seller specialises in the popular Musang King and Black Thorn varieties. His fruits are from his own farm in Malaysia's Pahang state, which is renowned for Musang King durians. 'Now it's the start of the season, so because the harvest is too little, it will be slightly expensive. In July, the price will drop,' he noted. UPCOMING PEAK HARVEST Another durian business, Jiak Durian Mai, said it is officially peak season when harvests from Pahang and Johor come together. The store in Geylang – which also offers delivery – can clear 15 to 18 crates of durians daily then. 'I would say the peak would be July to August. Currently, it's still the start of the season. It's a very small season … for now, supplies are still pretty limited,' said co-founder Shaun Lee. When asked about the possibility of a price war, Mr Lee said that while his company – which was set up about two years ago – has established a name for itself, he will keep an eye on what rival stores are charging. 'We know what our products are worth, and we know what our services are worth as well, so honestly, we don't really bother much about other competitors,' he said. 'But at the same time, of course, we have to take a look at them to make sure that we match or … stay in the range of the market.' ONLINE SALES Meanwhile, Rolling Durian is taking a more unique approach to selling its products by livestreaming on social media app TikTok. The firm then delivers orders directly to customers' doorsteps. The durian seller, which also has a storefront, specialises in rarer varieties like Xiao Hong and Green Skin. Employee Austin Quak concurred that this year's season is considered short, compared with the usual June to August peak period. He said the durian trees at the company's plantation are not in full harvest due to bad weather. 'For example, now it's Penang season, so Penang's durians are considered 'on form'. So, we will (get our goods) from Penang,' he said. 'Then if Penang durians are not nice, you move to JB (Johor Bahru), move to Pahang. So that's how we deal with the low supplies.' Mr Quak noted that prices are forecast to drop by up to 30 per cent within the next month, but warned it is not guaranteed due to erratic weather conditions. 'All businesses deal with price wars, so we just have to make ourselves unique, make ourselves stand out. One of the ways we can cater to that is we try our best to accommodate (customers') taste preference,' he added.
CNA
17-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - At up to $27 per kg, are durians becoming a luxury food item here?
CNA938 Rewind Durian season is here again, but with prices ranging from 16 to 27 dollars per kilogram, has the King of Fruits become a luxury for Singaporeans? Daniel Martin speaks to Shaun Lee, Co-Founder of Jiak Durian Mai.
