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Ocean ecologist Glenn Edney says the S186a ban is only the beginning for the Hibiscus Coast, with the community needing to play a key role in marine recovery. (Hibiscus Matters, February 20).
Edney spoke at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club last week, sharing lessons from the Tutukākā Coast, where a similar S186a ban recently expired.
The Tutukākā ban ended on February 4, and an application to extend it is now with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
However, Edney said it was disappointing to see that within hours of it ending, people were already diving and laying nets in the area.
He says education will be critical over the next two years to prevent the same pattern occurring on the Hibiscus Coast if protections are lifted.
“The best option is to prepare early for an extension so it can be rolled over smoothly,” he said.
Edney encouraged the community to help monitor intertidal areas and contribute data to track marine regeneration.
He said recovery will take time, but the data was essential to support any extension or future legislative change.
He was pleased to see local schools have already begun surveying parts of the coast with support from conservation groups.
Edney suggested residents could “adopt” a rockpool, photographing and recording changes over time. Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) provides free marine identification guides, and the Marine Metre Squared (Mm2) programme, developed by the University of Otago, offers tools for monitoring seashore ecosystems.
Also speaking at the meeting, Fisheries NZ district manager North Harbour Glen Blackwell says compliance activity will increase at the start of the ban, with regular patrols.
He said signage detailing the ban has been installed across the coast and encouraged the public to report suspected illegal fishing to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi.govt.nz.
Penalties for breaking the new rules include a maximum fine of $100,000 and seizure/forfeiture of equipment and vehicles may apply.
Blackwell said current enforcement options are limited to warnings or prosecution, but an infringement regime with on-the-spot fines is under consultation. A wider national review of fisheries laws is also underway.
More: Marine Metre 2 https://mm2.net.nz/
Earth Sciences New Zealand Marine Resources https://niwa.co.nz/oceans/identification-guides
