Wellington-based Green Party MP Sue Kedgley is strongly supporting an application to turn four kilometres of Wellington's south coast into a marine reserve.

"Cook Strait is a unique marine environment with New Zealand's richest diversity of algae and other organisms," she said. "As well as restoring marine eco-systems, marine reserves have proven to be very effective in increasing the number and size of the fishing stock."

The creation of a marine reserve in Wellington will be a step towards achieving the Green Party's goal of having 20 percent of New Zealand's coastline protected as marine reserves.

"The south coast is also a magnificent scenic area with great potential for eco-tourism, as well as providing an excellent resource for school children who will be able to see the marine environment as it should be," she said.

"Wellingtonians who support the concept of a marine reserve on their backyard should get behind the proposal and write in support of the application," Ms Kedgley said.

Sue Kedgley MP 4706728

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