Fishing restrictions proposed
A massive marine protection network stretching from near Timaru to Southland is up for public discussion.
The proposed network includes six marine reserves where marine life would be fully protected and fishing banned, five marine protected areas, which would impose a range of restrictions to fishing, and one kelp protection area where commercial harvest of bladder kelp would be prohibited.
There is no marine protection in this area between Timaru and Waipapa Point in Southland the Department of Conservation said in a press release but parts of the proposal encompass the Glenavy area where Oceania Dairy is proposing to build a 7.2km-long pipeline to dump treated wastewater into the ocean.
DOC’s discussion document says the marine biodiversity in the southeast of the South Island is not explicitly protected and maintained or allowed to recover.
"The absence of marine protection areas in this region increases the risk of losing unique marine habitats and ecosystems that are already being affected by cumulative pressures, including climate change.’’
Fisheries New Zealand’s director fisheries management Stuart Anderson said the proposed network, covering almost 1300 square kilometres could be a significant step towards protecting marine biodiversity.
‘‘We want to hear everyone’s views on the network – if people think it will be effective, and how it is likely to affect local communities,’’ Anderson said.
The document proposes an area just south of Timaru be turned into a type two marine protection area, which will prohibit some fishing activities.
These included bottom trawling, dredging, Danish seining, set netting, mid-water trawling and commercial long lining.
The document also proposes a marine reserve in the Waitaki region, with the boundaries for this site starting about 2km south of the Waitaki River and extending 14.8km south along the coast.
More than 2800 submissions were received during the initial public consultation. Submissions on the proposed marine protection area close on April 17.