Japanese 'unaware’ of drift-net issue

Press, 5 December 1989, Page 8

Japanese 'unaware’ of drift-net issue

PA Auckland Greenpeace greeted Japanese visitors at Auckland Airport yesterday with leaflets condemning drift-net fishing, but most of the Japanese appeared to be unaware of the issue.

The leaflets, to mark the start of the new drift-net fishing season, were written in Japanese with an English translation and had a rnap on the back pinpointing Greenpeace’s Auckland location. .

It welcomed the tourists ; but went on to express the concern felt in New Zealand at the damage' done by the “wall of death” fishing method. Most of the Japanese travellers

accepted the leaflets but it was soon apparent that few were aware of the issue, the "New Zealand Herald” reported. A tour companion, Mr Toyogi Koga, of Auckland, said the issue had not received much publicity in Japan. A Tokyo businessman, Mr Akihiro Inouye, said he knew more about the issue than most because of his frequent business trips to New Zealand. He was sympathetic and thought it was a good idea for Greenpeace to educate visitors by handing out leaflets.

An ocean ecology campaigner for Greenpeace, Mr Mike Hagler, said that yesterday’s effort was a one-off event.