A massive marine protection network stretching from near Timaru to Southland in New Zealand is up for public discussion.
The proposed network includes six marine reserves where marine life would be fully protected and fishing banned, five marine protected areas, which would impose a range of restrictions to fishing, and one kelp protection area where commercial harvest of bladder kelp would be prohibited.
There is currently no marine protection in this area between Timaru and Waipapa Point in Southland the Department of Conservation said in a press release but parts of the proposal encompass the Glenavy area where Oceania Dairy is proposing to build a 7.2km-long pipeline to dump treated wastewater into the ocean.
DOC’s discussion document says the marine biodiversity in the southeast of the South Island is not explicitly protected and maintained or allowed to recover.
“The absence of marine protection areas in this region increases the risk of losing unique marine habitats and ecosystems that are already being affected by cumulative pressures, including climate change.”
Fisheries New Zealand’s director fisheries management Stuart Anderson said the proposed network, covering almost 1300 square kilometres could be a significant step towards protecting marine biodiversity.
“We want to hear everyone’s views on the network if people think it will be effective, and how it is likely to affect local communities,” Anderson said.
Marine reserves (also known as type one marine protection areas) are generally “no-take” areas in which fishing, mining and the disturbance of all marine life and habitat are prohibited.
However, some provision can be made to allow specific fishing activities and scientific research provided it is consistent with the purpose of the Act.
The document proposes an area just south of Timaru be turned into a type two marine protection area, which will prohibit some fishing activities.
These included bottom trawling, dredging, Danish seining, set netting, mid-water trawling and commercial long lining.
“The waters south of Timaru are an important nursery area for school sharks (Galeorhinus galeus) and a spawning area for elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii),” the discussion document says.
“In addition, this area is particularly significant for pahu/Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori), koror?/little blue penguins, hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins.”
The document also proposes a marine reserve in the Waitaki region, with the boundaries for this site starting approximately 2km south of the Waitaki River and extending 14.8km south along the coast.
“River mouths are known for their productivity and the mouth of the Waitaki River is no exception, with the waters here being believed to hold some regionally unique, natural features due to the influence of fresh water and river sediments on the marine environment,” the document says.
“The establishment of a marine reserve at this site would provide for the protection of representative habitats that would be of value for the scientific study of marine life.
“It is considered that the marine reserve would be likely to have a relatively low impact on fishing interests (commercial, customary and recreational).”
The proposals come after a forum consulted with the public, industry, and stakeholders on 20 sites for possible inclusion in a network of marine protected areas.
More than 2800 submissions were received during the initial public consultation. Submissions on the proposed marine protection area close on April 17.
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