Tentative hope at State of Gulf launch

The State of the Gulf 2023 report was launched by the Hauraki Gulf Forum, on August 11, against a backdrop of recent protections for the gulf announced by Government. 

The report looks at the health of the Hauraki Gulf’s ecosystem and comes every three years. From crayfish no longer playing a role in the Hauraki Gulf ecosystem to sea sponges dying from extreme marine heat, the report acknowledges the damage that is happening under the water. 

On August 9, Government announced its Tikapa Moana Marine Protection Bill with 12 new high protection areas where only tangata whenua will be able to fish. 

Areas of the sea floor will also be protected, with bottom trawling allowed only in limited areas. 

The size and location of the trawl corridors will be subject to consultation in the next month. The bill triples protection for the gulf from six percent to 18 percent and will be introduced into the house before parliament rises for the election. 

Report author Shane Kelly said there were exciting changes on the horizon but they had taken a frustratingly long time to come to fruition.