Swimmer Completes 1,325 km to End Harmful Fishing Practice

A 36-year-old ocean swimmer is proving that one person's determination can spark a national conversation about protecting our oceans.

Jono Ridler has spent 87 days swimming 1,325 kilometers along New Zealand's North Island, pushing through currents and weather to raise awareness about bottom trawling. The industrial fishing method drags heavy nets across the seafloor, destroying marine habitats in the process.

After 455 hours in the water, Ridler expects to reach the finish line at Whairepo Lagoon this Saturday. From there, he'll walk directly to Parliament to meet with Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, exactly 90 days after starting his journey at Waikuku Beach.

"Cook Strait's notorious for a lot of current and that's certainly playing tough," said Blair Tuke, a sailor on Ridler's support team. The challenging conditions have slowed progress recently, but the team remains focused on completing the mission.

Not everyone has celebrated the effort. Some people posted threats on social media, targeting Ridler and his campaign. But concerned citizens quickly forwarded the posts to the team, demonstrating the widespread support the swimmer actually enjoys.

"I think it's a small number of people and they're quite loud behind their keyboards," Tuke said. "For the most part, New Zealanders are right behind Jono and what he is standing for."

The Ripple Effect

The numbers tell the real story of public support. More than 55,000 people have signed the mission's petition calling for an end to bottom trawling in New Zealand waters.

At every stop along the route, locals have turned out to cheer Ridler on. The outpouring demonstrates how ready New Zealanders are for more sustainable fishing practices that don't sacrifice ocean ecosystems for short-term catch.

"There is a real opportunity here to create meaningful long-term change for our country," Tuke said. "This form of fishing and the destructive nature of it shouldn't be happening in our country."

The team has even coordinated with authorities to navigate Wellington's sewage concerns, using current models to map the safest route into the harbor. Nothing is stopping this mission from reaching its conclusion.

After 87 days of pushing through physical and mental barriers, Ridler's message is clear: protecting New Zealand's ocean floor should be part of the country's future, while bottom trawling belongs in the past.