Eco Warrior's Fight Against Prosecution

Please help this Eco Warrior with legal costs as I fight prosecution by the Department of Conservation for operating commercial dolphin watching tours without a Marine Mammal Permit. An allegation which I strongly deny and believe is unjust.

In 2016 I established Gulf Eco Adventures, a boat tour business offering snorkeling tours to the outer islands of the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. This was spurred on by my love for the ocean and everything in it, and my desire to share that love with others and to educate people about environmental threats to the local marine eco system.

My lifestyle has always been about reducing my personal impact on the environment, conducting regular beach and roadside rubbish clean ups, and promoting and advocating for More Marine Reserves.

Gulf Eco Adventures was part of that personal lifestyle. For me it wasn't a business or a job, it was a means to share my passion and try to make a positive difference.

I also worked closely with DoC providing island transfers to Little Barrier island, obtaining a Pest-Free Warrant and forming a close relationship with the local rangers.

Our ethos was: 'Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing's going to get better, it's not ' (Dr Suess).

Unfortunately, with the impact of Covid19 on the tourism industry I was forced to close the business, sell our boat, sell our family home and relocate to Northland. A very sad and stressful time.

Please help me fight charges brought by DoC, an organization I thought was my ally, and that we shared the same common goal: a more healthy and sustainable environment for everyone.