16 December

95% of our ocean can’t be left out of marine protection legislation

Minister Bridges confession today that the government proposes to include only 5 per cent of New Zealand’s oceans in framework legislation designed to protect them makes no sense, said WWF.

“The review of marine legislation is an amazing opportunity to look after our oceans as a whole but it will only work if it lets protected areas be set up in deep and shallow water, said WWF Senior Campaigner Alex Smith.

“It makes no sense to limit protection to a tiny fraction of New Zealand oceans. Our territorial seas make up only 5 per cent of our oceans. There are amazing animals and habitats that need protection in the deep sea as well.”

Today at the block offer press conference, Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges admitted that the government’s discussion document on proposed marine protection legislation will only cover the territorial sea (that goes out to 12nm) and will not include New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (that goes out to 200nm).

“Dolphins, penguins and sea lions don’t stop at an arbitrary line on the map when they are looking for food - these are all animals that range past the territorial sea boundary.”

Penguins, albatross, petrels, whales, dolphins, giant manta rays, rare sharks, sea lions and many other species live, swim through or forage in the deep sea. Some of these animals such as sea lions, Bryde’s whales, albatross and penguins are at risk of extinction.

“We have been waiting for 15 years for this legislation. It is important that we do it once and we do it right.

“WWF wants to see a network of protected areas set up across our oceans. That’s how we can best look after them, said Mr Smith.

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