WE SAY/YOU SAY
WE SAY:
A new poll released by the Hauraki Gulf Forum has found there is overwhelming public support for more measures to protect and restore the Hauraki Gulf/tı¯kapa Moana.
Of more than 1000 respondents, 81 per cent said they love and have a very strong attachment to the Gulf, including its beaches, shorelines and islands.
The greatest public concerns for the health of the Gulf are plastics (73 per cent of respondents said this had the most negative impact), sewage
(72 per cent), chemicals (70 per cent), and commercial fishing (63 per cent).
Methods proposed to protect the Gulf include planting all waterways, re-establishing lost shellfish-beds and reefs, and banning fishing methods such as dredging and bottom-trawling that damage the sea-floor.
84 per cent of respondents supported these actions, with less than 3 per cent in opposition.
Do you love being in/around the Gulf, and do you think it should be protected?
YOU SAY:
Geoffery Hinds from Mt Eden: ‘‘I totally agree that the Hauraki Gulf should be kept in pristine condition. This would be a major step in reducing carbon emissions as well as an incentive to keep our ‘front entrance’ in good order.’’
Derrick Paull from
Hillsborough: ‘‘I am hugely in favour of protecting our taonga; the Tikapa Moana is the absolute heart of Tamaki Makaurau, but sticking a bandaid over the issue and slapping yourself on the back is not the answer. Our elected officials need to own this, make the very hard calls and force those most impacting Tikapa Moana to stop their poor practice. Tikapa Moana is there for all of Aotearoa NZ to enjoy, let’s not have it destroyed for profits!’’
Andrew Perring from Waterview: ‘‘Not under the guidelines on the hauraki gulf forum, the forum does not consist of any anglers.’’
Rachel Stace from Freemans Bay: ‘‘One thing that certainly won’t help restore the Gulf, is a 180-berth marina on Waiheke. It’s completely contradictory to all these well-intentioned measures to protect the Gulf.’’