Listen Now: 
A national forum is being held this week in Whanganui.
'Te Wai Maori' is looking at strategies to ensure the protection of indigenous tuna.
Ken Mair who is leading the hui which sees scientists, commercial and cultural fishers look at ways that combat the demise of the species.
He says Whanganui River iwi see the tuna as a taonga but it's been ignored and undervalued by local and central government.
Ken Mair says if neccessary they'll go to Court to protect its status.
"The acknowledgement and recognition of tuna has continually been undermined by the actions of external influences call them what the are crown, local, regional authorities etc … and we need to seriously consider looking at options. It may be legal options to ensure that tuna are given the appropriate status within our society," he says.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
