Limited coverage of proposed new marine protection framework ‘hugely disappointing’

The announcement today by the government that its proposed framework for marine protected areas will only cover the Territorial Sea and not the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was labelled ‘hugely disappointing’ by global conservation organisation WWF.

The consultation process was launched today with the release of a discussion document [1] by Environment Minister Nick Smith, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.

The proposal is for framework legislation that enables the creation of three kinds [2] of marine protected areas plus recreational fishing parks. However the framework is proposed to only cover the territorial sea, out to 12 nautical miles, and not the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), out to 200 nautical miles. The Territorial Sea comprises only 4 per cent of New Zealand’s marine environment.

Responding to the announcement, Peter Hardstaff, WWF-New Zealand Head of Campaigns said,

“WWF-New Zealand supports creating a framework to establish marine protected areas, but is dismayed that the proposal only covers New Zealand’s Territorial Sea. It is ridiculous to exclude from the legislation the vast area of ocean out to 200 nautical miles, comprising 96 per cent of New Zealand’s marine environment. This is hugely disappointing.”

Mr Hardstaff continued, “New Zealand’s deeper oceans contain a vast array of special wildlife and habitats. Penguins, albatross, petrels, whales, dolphins, giant manta rays, rare sharks, and sea lions all swim through or forage in the deep sea. There are amazing sea-mounts, trenches and deep water corals, many of which only exist in New Zealand that we need to look after as well. It defies logic that the legislation will ignore them.”

Mr Hardstaff added, “We believe there is broad support for legislation that covers New Zealand’s whole ocean environment and we understand that only the oil and gas industry is blocking the way to sensible law making. We would welcome a statement from this industry supporting inclusion of the EEZ in the legislation. If not, the oil and gas lobby needs to explain to the New Zealand public why its interests should override a science-based process to create a network of marine protected areas in this country’s EEZ, which is an essential part of sustainable ocean management.”

[1]. The discussion document is available at: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Marine/mpa-consultation-doc.pdf

[2]. The three types of proposed marine protection are: marine reserves, species-specific sanctuaries and seabed reserves.

ENDS

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