Scientist condemns seaweed harvest

Nigel Benson - 

The commercial harvesting of seaweed has been condemned by a Dunedin marine scientist.

University of Otago Department of Marine Science scientist and East Otago taiapure management committee member Dr Chris Hepburn says the practice, which was revealed in the Otago Daily Times last week, had serious implications for the local tourism and fisheries industries.

Dunedin City councillor Colin Weatherall brought the harvesting to light after two beachfront areas at Brighton were damaged by a 10-tonne truck and front-end loader owned by harvester Simon Stott.

When contacted, Dunedin Ministry of Fisheries officer John Kennedy said Mr Stott was permitted to harvest bladder kelp at Brighton.

"It's a new species under our quota system.

"At this stage, we believe he's fishing legally."

However, Dr Hepburn, who was recently involved in the drafting of the quota system in his role as scientific adviser for the East Otago taiapure management committee, said it was "destructive".

"You used to be able to fish on a permit, but not any more.

"This has just come under the new quota system," he said yesterday.

"This is wrong in so many ways.

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