Tuiono TeanauTEANAU TUIONO (Green): Thank you Mr Speaker. Let me begin by thanking the previous Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. I note that none of those members are on this select committee so we live vicariously through this report the experiences that they had in putting this very important report together.Let me start by using a whakataukī to actually frame out how the Greens feel about the ocean in general and our reflections on this important report: Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta toitū te marae a Tangaroa toitū te tangata."—"If the land is well and the sea is well the people will thrive." The ocean shapes all of our lives and a healthy ocean is critical for feeding us supporting our wellbeing and mental health and one of the greatest tools we have for addressing the climate crisis. The ocean is a part of our shared cultural identity. Illegal unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing pushes back against all of that. This practice not only poses threats to our ocean's ecosystems but also affects the livelihoods of coastal communities across the Pacific.The inquiry when you read it had a narrative that flowed through it around environmental degradation economic destabilisation and social justice that demands not only our immediate attention but our sustained attention. Launched in 2021 it aimed to comprehensively examine the general practice and implications of IUU fishing in the Southern Ocean and the Pacific particularly around our Pacific Islands. They had terms of reference which were to evaluate the environmental and societal implications assess governmental arrangements and recommend future efforts to combat IUU fishing.The implications of IUU fishing are staggering. It not only threatens marine biodiversity but also undermines the livelihoods of coastal communities for the Pacific. For example Fiji estimates losses of millions of dollars due to IUU fishing impacting its economy and food security. Similarly Tonga has witnessed a reduction in tuna catch leading to uncertainty and economic strain for local fishers. The true scale is unknown underscoring the need for more data and real-time monitoring and I note the reflections of other members around the House. It points to the need to support Pacific communities to address development gaps while supporting investment in local capabilities ongoing training and technological tools noting that there is inconsistent funding from development partners which can hamper local monitoring and enforcement progress.The ecological consequences are alarming. Overfishing disrupts marine ecosystems threatens endangered species and damages vital habitats. For instance bottom trawling has been described as turning once-diverse areas into " 'rock and rubble' ". There are also broader security threats. Vessels engaged in IUU fishing often partake in other illegal activities which can involve human rights abuses and worker exploitation along with drug smuggling and human trafficking further destabilising the region.But it's also important to walk the talk or rather swim the talk because right now New Zealand's high seas permits in the South Pacific are up for renewal and I note that there are fishing companies that are seeking permits for two bottom-trawl vessels with recent convictions for illegal fishing one of them for trawling in a marine reserve and another damaging a deep-sea coral ecosystem and failing to properly report it. How can we be an ally to the Pacific in combating IUU fishing if we permit these vessels to trawl in South Pacific high seas? We should not.As a reminder New Zealand has reneged on commitments through the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation about bottom trawling. If this Government wants to be serious about clamping down on unregulated fishing then it needs to do something to make sure that we maintain regulations to a minimum and make sure that we look after the health of our ecosystems and the abundance of fish stocks for future generations.New Zealand must urgently review and update its national plan and I want to acknowledge those efforts but we need to do more around regional cooperation and funding in a way that addresses all of these concerns. It is about people. It is about ensuring that coastal communities have the resources and support they need to thrive sustainably. We should be empowering local fishers to be kaitiaki of their own waters in ensuring that they benefit from the resources that rightfully belong to them. The loss of traditional sources of food and income coupled with the depletion of fish stocks exacerbates poverty and threatens environmental sustainability. Pacific Island nations with their vast exclusive economic zones are particularly vulnerable to these impacts.We must prioritise sustainability and support local communities and ensure the long-term health of our oceans. Let us not only talk about change but act decisively to protect our oceans and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta toitū te marae a Tangaroa toitū te tangata."