My Account
Increased marine protection – and a reduction in fishing – is on the cards for the seas around Shakespear Regional Park and Tiritiri Matangi Island as a result of the new Revitalising the Gulf – Government Action on the Sea Change Plan published recently.
A new High Protection Area is proposed for waters to the south of Tiri as far as the cable protection zone, as well as a Seafloor Protection Area surrounding that and the eastern tip of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula (see map).
High Protection Areas are comparable to no-take marine reserves, while Seafloor Protection Areas will protect seabed habitats from some fishing (especially dredging, bottom trawling and Danish seining), sand extraction and mining.
The Government says the 18 new areas proposed throughout the Gulf will become law in 2024, and almost triple the region’s marine protection, from 6.6 percent to 17.6 percent.
The plan has broadly been welcomed locally, although with reservations. Terry Creagh will be addressing the Hauraki Gulf Forum about the plan on August 23, on behalf of the NZ Sport Fishing Council, the NZ Marine Research Fund and the Warkworth Gamefish Club, among others.
He says there is too little emphasis on commercial fishers and thinks a total ban of bottom, Danish, purse seining and scallop dredging across the entire Gulf should be considered. He is also concerned that small boats leaving Whangaparāoa would be forced to travel much further out to fish, raising safety issues.
Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi chair Carl Hayson has welcomed the plan, saying its timing is vital with the depletion of marine life in the Gulf in recent years.
“Even round Tiri, you can see that with the waters around the island. The ranger used to gather scallop and crayfish, but the kina have taken over now and there’s nothing,” he says.
“I think people are more supportive of it now than 20 years ago, when they tried to put a reserve around Tiri, even the fishermen.
“It would be part of the whole conservation effort. It will probably take a few years, but we’re supportive of it, it would be very good for the area.”
To read Revitalising the Gulf – Government Action on the Sea Change Plan, go to: www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/45550-Revitalising-the-Gulf-Government-action-on-the-Sea-Change-Plan
