Oceans Symposium Highlights Need To Establish Independent Oceans Commission

Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 6:54 pm
Press Release: EDS

The Environmental Defence Society’s annual environmental summit kicked off yesterday in Auckland with an Oceans Symposium.

Speakers highlighted that the marine environment is in serious trouble. In some parts of the country, the sea is warming three times faster than global trends. We heard that the Hauraki Gulf is in an impoverished state. Sediment is taking its toll. Kina barrens have taken over large tracts of the coast.

Ecosystems are responding in worrying ways. New Zealand’s marine productivity has decreased rapidly since 2022. As NIWA scientist Matt Pinkerton advised, “it is as if some threshold has been crossed”. We were warned to expect unpredictable changes.

International keynote speaker Dr Salvatore Aricò, CEO of the International Science Council, led the discussion by talking about the importance of integrated marine spatial planning, and ‘bottom up’ approaches complementing ‘top-down’ policy. He talked about the need to inform dialogue with science.

Linda Faulkner captured a wider concern that translating science into marine policy is a “massive issue”. But there are excellent examples of science informing collaborative change. We heard about the success of marine protection in Fiordland, which has helped rebuild the rock lobster population there, and the promising work by University of Auckland scientists to restore kelp forests in the Hauraki Gulf.

EDS CE Gary Taylor interviewed Fisheries and Oceans Minister Shane Jones, who confirmed he’s committed to addressing kina barrens, including by considering rock lobster closures and sourcing funding to assist kina removal.

Minister Jones said that his proposed changes to the Fisheries Act wouldn’t cripple the paramountcy of fisheries sustainability, which is a good thing given Professor Stephen Wing’s no-nonsense statement that the days of expansion of new fisheries into new habitats are over, and that we are now in a regime where restoration of fisheries is the most profitable game. When asked about rolling out regional fisheries plans, including for the Marlborough Sounds, Minister Jones agreed we need more. He said the Hauraki Gulf marine protection bill is imminent, and with respect to marine protection, we should bank “good enough”. Trawl zones would not be created before the next election, which is disappointing.

An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change.

Edward Ellison talked about the need for respectful, community-driven and collaborative processes which recognise cultural connection and have strong Treaty Partner engagement.

The Symposium concluded with a panel debate about the merits of establishing a National Oceans Commission. There was consensus that such a body had merit, but it would need to be independent from government, bring iwi and hapū to the table, and have teeth. There was little support for another purely advisory body.

David Attenborough’s recently released movie ‘Ocean’ was highlighted as a must-watch for those interested in the future of the oceans.

Overall, the key message from the Symposium was the need to act now, the need to act together, and the need to put the health of the oceans first.

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Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

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