Marine protection consultation postponed
PUBLIC consultation on the proposed network of marine protection for the southeast South Island has been postponed because of Covid19.
There have been repeated calls for the twomonth consultation process, which was due to end on April 17, to be delayed.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand said both agencies recognised the lockdown might limit people’s ability to effectively participate in the process.
It was intended to restart consultation once the Covid19 restrictions had eased, Doc planning director Natasha Hayward said.
‘‘Unfortunately, with the disruptions to people’s lives and work under the lockdown, and restrictions on accessing the consultation document at libraries and Doc offices, people may not be able to participate in the consultation process as they wish.’’
Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries management
Marianne Lukkien said submissions already made would be saved and could be used once consultation was reinstated.
Doc and Fisheries New Zealand would continue to consult Ngai Tahu about the proposed marine protected area network over coming months using communication methods that complied with social distancing requirements.
While she welcomed the postponement, Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association executive officer Kate Hesson described the suspension as ‘‘late, halfhearted and confusing’’.
The association first asked Doc to withdraw the proposal, because of Covid19, on February 18 and it was ‘‘insulting’’ it took 51 days ‘‘of dithering’’ to do it.
It was ‘‘ridiculous’’ to attempt to continue with the process during the outbreak and the decision should have been made much earlier, she believed.
Brett Bensemann, president of the Tautuku Fishing Club, described the announcement as ‘‘great news — common sense at last’’.