Death, dolphins, Shane Jones at the Seafood conference, Wellington
On May 26, ‘Death’, attended the annual Seafood Conference, held in Wellington.
Death is always at these conferences. There would be no seafood industry without him. But the industry prefers he keeps a low profile, and that his actions are out of sight. That’s why the industry, and its Minister Shane Jones, who was also at the conference, want less scrutiny and transparency from cameras on fishing boats.
The Seafood Conference organisers wouldn’t let Death up the escalators. They said they couldn’t find his name on the attendance list. Instead, we were left to reacquaint the Minister with his old friend Death, in the lobby. We reminded the Minister of the 25 Hector’s dolphins killed by bottom trawling and set nets in the last two years, while he’s been Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.
You can watch our discussion with the Minister in full here, which led to one of the funniest headlines ever: ‘Shane Jones debates with pro-dolphin protester. Grim Reaper shakes his head”. Jones argues that there’s no such thing as Māui dolphins, justifies the deaths of Hector’s by the fishing industry, and labels scientists as anti-fishing because he’d rather support his fishing industry mates and funders.
You can also watch some of the fun content we made from the event on our social media channels on Instagram, our Facebook page and group and YouTube.
Opposition to bottom trawling, and support for more Māui and Hector’s protection have never been stronger.
In the lead-up to the election year, we are making a difference.
Photo: Sarah Booher
Posted: 3 June 2026