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Local fishers and boating clubs are being encouraged to make submissions on proposals that could see large areas closed to fishing.
The marine protection proposals developed from Revitalising the Gulf, the Government’s response to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan, are currently out for public consultation.
The strategy proposes the establishment of 19 new protected zones including the addition of the Noises, increasing the marine area under protection from just over six percent to about 18 percent. This is in response to the deteriorating health of the gulf due to human activities.
The protected areas could also support abundant fish stocks for commercial and recreational fishers, alongside the proposed fisheries management measures, according to the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The spill-over of fish larvae from marine reserves has shown the potential for contributing to fisheries’ sustainability and enhancement. For example, DOC estimates that adult snapper at Leigh marine reserve contributed 10.6 percent of newly settled juveniles to the surrounding 400sqkm area.
The marine protection proposals include 12 High Protection Areas (HPA), five Seafloor Protection Areas and two protected areas adjacent to Cape Rodney-Okakari Point and Cathedral Cove/Whanganui-a-Hei marine reserves.
The area around Tiritiri Matangi Island, popular with local fishers, could be an HPA according to Terry Creagh of the NZ Sport Fishing Council, banning all recreational and commercial fishing. The proposed protection extends from Shearers Rock to Army Bay.
In addition, the outfall pipe from the Army Bay wastewater treatment plant is in an area proposed for seafloor protection.
A Watercare spokesperson says that although sewage discharges are permitted in seafloor protection areas, there may be implications for maintenance and upgrades of the pipe outfall.
Watercare is currently working with Auckland Council on a joint submission regarding the proposals.
A large area of Kawau Bay would also be covered by seafloor protection, and an area between Kawau Island and Mahurangi East Peninsula would be an HPA.
Overall, the protection measures would result in an estimated 5.7 percent of recreational boat fishing for snapper being displaced.
Consultation on the proposals closes on October 28.
Ōrewa’s Terry Creagh, who is on the NZ Sport Fishing Council is encouraging local recreational fishers and boating clubs to make submissions.
More information and have your say at www.doc.govt.nz/haveyoursayonthegulf
