Marine conservation all at sea under complex systems
New Zealand’s oceans are suffering serious and concerning environmental degradation and imminent threats of species extinctions, a new report reveals.
And the collection of laws, institutions, incentives and norms that ‘‘manage’’ our watery backyard is ad hoc, outdated and in need of an overhaul, leading experts agree.
Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan yesterday launched The Breaking Wave: Oceans reform in Aotearoa New Zealand, a new report from the Environmental Defence Society.
She said the Government was driving an ambitious agenda of reform in resource management, conservation law and fisheries.
The 456-page EDS report points to the vast ‘‘marine empire’’ for which the country has responsibility. The territorial sea extends over almost 170,000 square kilometres, with 15,000 kilometres of coastline. Including the exclusive economic zone (or EEZ, out to 200 nautical miles) takes this to over 5.8 million square kilometres.
The marine economy was worth up to $7 billion in 2017, employing around 70,000 people. Shipping provides the biggest contribution, including port operations, freight and passenger transport. Other uses are extractive, such as commercial fishing, aquaculture and mining.
And although New Zealand is a ‘‘global hot spot’’ for marine biodiversity, direct human-induced pressures are causing decline, including exploitation such as trawling, pollution from plastics, chemicals, sediment and nutrients, invasive species, changes in land and sea use, and climate change.
Māori, as kaitiaki or guardians, and who are experiencing a loss of traditions, are especially affected by these trends.
The authors point to the complexity of the ‘oceans management system’ – with no single piece of legislation. Instead, it involves separate frameworks for resource management, conservation, fisheries, transport, climate change, biosecurity and mining. They are administered by a range of institutions and agencies.
There are unclear relationships and overlapping jurisdictions between pieces of legislation, and even physical boundaries, the report details. The system also has to take into account international law and treaties.
However, the report also notes an overhaul cannot relieve all the pressures facing our marine environment.
It does not provide recommendations, but examines whether legislation for the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone should be combined, if fisheries and environmental management should be combined and if there is merit in having an oceans agency or ministry.
Allan pointed to ongoing conservation law reform, including a review of the Wildlife Act. And the Government has promised to update marine protected areas legislation, although is yet to
provide a timeframe.
She said the Government remained committed to creating the Kermadec / Rangitāhua Ocean Sanctuary, and has already established Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) Marine Mammal Sanctuary. But experts point to the fact that less than 1% of New Zealand’s marine environment is protected, 90% of our seabirds are at risk of extinction, species like Māui’s dolphin and the antipodean albatross are on the brink of disappearing.
And Labour appears to have backed away from an election promise to protect 30 per cent of our waters by 2030, in line with other international efforts. Allan said New Zealand was ‘‘actively involved’’ in negotiations.