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| Rastovich and the Maui Dolphin guides |
Professional surfer and environmental activist, David “Rasta” Rastovich, (32, Byron Bay, NSW, AUS) has successfully completed a two-week, 350km paddle up the West Coast of New Zealand, a campaign designed to draw awareness to the seabed mining proposed for the region.
Rastovich, a founder of the global group “Surfers
for Cetaceans”, began the paddle at Cape Egmont, south of New Plymouth on
November 16 and today stepped foot onto the sands of Piha, north of Auckland,
greeted by hundreds of supporters and representatives of the locally formed
group “Kiwis Against Seabed Mining” (KASM).
Currently, the entire west coast of New Zealand,
from Wanganui to Cape Reinga, is under either a prospecting or exploration
permit for iron sand. Rastovich and KASM members claim that the mining will
devastate marine eco systems, alter world renowned surf breaks and completely
wipe out species such as the critically endangered Maui’s Dolphin.
Further, it is claimed there will be next to no financial return for the people
of New Zealand with very few jobs created and 95% or more of profits going
overseas.
“Seabed mining is something that will change this
place forever. With so much at stake and with so many unknowns, it’s a risk I
don’t think any New Zealanders should be willing to take,” said Rastovich.
“It’s not too late,” he urged. “There is so much
compassion in this community and in all the communities and groups we engaged
with during our journey. All we need to do is harness that passion and we can
protect this incredible coastline from the dangers of iron ore mining."
On Thursday, during the 40km plus paddle leg from
Port Waikato to Whatipu near the entrance to Auckland’s harbour, Rastovich was
escorted by the very animal he is attempting to save – a pod of Maui’s dolphins
swam alongside him for around 45 minutes as he navigated his 17-ft custom made
board through treacherous seas.
“Just to the south side of the Manakau inlet, I
had a visit by about eight Maui’s," explained Rastovich.
"They caught swells with me and escorted me to the very start of the inlet
in really dangerous conditions. They really gave me the confidence to navigate
that bar because there’s some heavy water in that area, some of the heaviest
water I’ve ever encountered.”
Rastovich is no stranger to long hours in the
water, having completed similar campaigns in Australia and Hawaii, as well as
being recognised as one of the world's great surfers. However, it is no
surprise he found the West Coast paddle challenging.
“There’s been moments when it didn’t feel like the
ocean was going to allow me back to shore. In New Zealand, the ocean is a
particularly special place. A place we should respect – this water, this sand,
these people and the animals we share it with,” said Rastovich.
Ex-Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey, has also criticised the plans in public. Today
he said this battle to preserve the west coast marine environment is of greater
importance than the battle he lead to protect the Waitakere ranges.
"Be prepared for a long battle; it has only just begun," he said.
Josh Kronfeld, All Blacks football legend, was
among the many supporters on the beach.
“The whole mining thing does not make any sense to me. We rely on the coast and
the marine life as it is. To devastate resources that we are already using and
then go and destroy that as well? Crazy. We don’t know exactly how much damage
we’re going to do. And for such a minuscule return? It just doesn’t make
sense,” said Kronfeld.
People interested in lending their voice or
learning more about the issues are urged to vist www.kasm.org.nz
Proposals to mine the West Coast seabed are firmly opposed by a range of
business groups and environmental organisations, including SEAFIC (The Seafood
Industry Council), Sea Shepherd NZ, Project Jonah, Sustainable Coastlines,
Mauis SOS, Greenpeace, WWF, Forest and Bird, and Surfbreak Protection Society.
More
information can be found at the following websites:
www.kasm.org.nz
/ www.s4cglobal.org
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