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A new sign at Omaha asks that visitors not harvest sea creatures.
Scan the QR code to sign the petition.
A petition started by residents of Omaha Beach to reduce the legal take limit of rock pool sea creatures has gained 1870 signatures.
But campaigner Mary Coupe wants to get a lot more signatures before the deadline of March 31.
The petition was launched by residents at the end of last year in response to large numbers of visitors stripping shellfish and sea creatures from rock pools at the southern end of the beach.
The campaign has gained traction and resulted in signs being put up at the beach asking visitors not to take sea creatures and displaying the 0800 4 POACHER phone line to report illegal takes.
Mary says residents of Pakiri and Mathesons Bay have got in contact with her with a view to putting up the same signs at their beaches.
Despite the campaign, the rock pools continue to be picked over during the peak summer period.
“Between December 23 and 30, a dedicated local counted more than 500 people harvesting from the rock pools,” Mary says.
“The ecosystem relies on sea creatures in rock pools. If we take this out from the bottom of the food chain, who knows what the impact will be.”
To sign the petition visit: parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_104031/petition-of-mary-coupe-protect-rock-pool-sea-life-for
