While developing nations are making bold commitments to revitalise oceans and secure their safety for future generations, marine scientist Veronica Rotman claims New Zealand is falling behind.
Veronica represented Aotearoa at the UN Ocean Conference in France earlier this year. While the experience was a highlight of her career, she was embarrassed at the state of New Zealand's oceans.
She claims that New Zealand isn't just failing to restore our ocean, but is actively reversing progress with the introduction of legislation to fast-track seabed mining, and the repeated blocking of international attempts to restrict bottom trawling on vulnerable South Pacific deep sea ecosystems.
Veronica speaks with Susie Ferguson.
Veronica Rotman is a marine scientist, tertiary educator, science communicator and PhD candidate at the University of Auckland. Photo: University of Auckland
