Seafood NZ Says Kaikoura Conservation Legislation a Template

Thursday, 31 July 2014, 7:21 pm
Press Release: Seafood New Zealand

Seafood New Zealand Says Kaikoura Conservation Legislation a Community Template

Seafood New Zealand has hailed the passage of the Kaikoura (Te Tai-o-Marokura) Marine Management Bill by Parliament today as a template for seafood and environment conservation measures throughout New Zealand.

Parliament passed the bill into law on the last day of sitting before the House rose for the election campaign.

Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive Tim Pankhurst says the legislation is designed to serve the long term interests of those who use and enjoy the Kaikoura coastline.

“It shows that by working together the community can find solutions and compromises that will work for everyone to sustain the resources and sea environment together,” he says.

The legislation establishes a 10,416ha Marine Reserve, a 5,500sq km Whale Sanctuary, a Fur Seal Sanctuary, three Mataitai Reserves and two Taiapure Reserves. It also sets new recreational catch and minimum size limits.

Te Korowai, the Kaikoura Coastal Marine Guardians, was set up in 2005 at the initiative of Ngati Kuri of Ngai Tahu to develop a protection strategy and ultimately legislative endorsement.

Tim Pankhurst says has been achieved is a huge testament to the people who worked together to get this agreement.

“It shows that the seafood industry, and other commercial users such as tourism operators, can work together with recreational users and others who want to preserve our environment and wildlife. It takes time, but Te Korowai shows it can be done.”

Te Korowai Chair Larnce Wichman says the passage of the Kaikoura Marine Management Act is a huge step for the Kaikoura community.

“It affirms the enormous effort all sectors in the local community have put into this over the past nine years. In another way the Act represents the first step. It deals with the spatial issues, but that is only half the story.”

“If the Act functions as a living document it will provide the foundation for dynamic and sustainable management for generations to come. We have ten years to prove the model before we will be reviewed and over that time we will be working on a comprehensive Kaikoura Fishing Accord and dealing with detailed management issues around the Kaikoura Peninsula. We see the seafood industry as central to every part of the process,” Larnce Wichman says.

ENDS

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