New Zealand is ready to extend its total mainland marine conservation domain by 50 per cent with the planned establishment of 5 new marine reserves.
The five reserves, formally approved by NZ Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith, cover 17,500 hectares and have spectacular, unique coastlines and marine habitats.
They are all at the South Island’s West Coast and can add to the already significantly protected region, which incorporates three national parks and a global Heritage Area.
The minister’s approval signifies that the method of building the reserves goes into the overall stages of obtaining approval from two other government departments.
Mainland marine reserves
Establishment of the brand new reserves was a massive breakthrough for marine conservation, Dr Smith said, because it increased the variety of mainland marine reserves from 30 to 35, boosting the realm protected against 33,574 to 51,102 hectares.
“We are a nation with one of the crucial most spectacular and unique coastlines on the earth and we have to recognise the significance and usability of not just our special places on land, but our marine habitats in addition,” he said.
The reserves – at Kahurangi, Punakaiki, Okarito, Tauparikaka and Hautai – would enhance understanding of the region’s unique marine habitats and complement the adjoining protected areas of national parks and the Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Kahurangi Marine Reserve
Kahurangi Marine Reserve includes examples of northern West Coast marine habitats and ecosystems over various depths.
There is a rich diversity of fish and invertebrate species, partly because of the abundant reef habitat and the influence of more northern species. The realm is very important for marine mammals.
The new marine reserve adjoins Kahurangi National Park and includes the catchment area and mouth of the Heaphy River, and Kahurangi-Oparara coastline that’s notable for its sand dunes and beach vegetation.
Punakaiki Marine Reserve
Punakaiki Marine Reserve – occupying a dramatic coastline that incorporates the internationally significant Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point – harbours various northern West Coast marine habitats and ecosystems.
The rocky shore biological communities are typical of the northern West Coast, but their overall extent, diversity, and accessibility is notable relative to many other parts of the identical area.
It is adjacent to the coastal habitats and ecosystems of Paparoa National Park and closed whitebaiting areas in Bullock Creek and tributaries of the Punakaiki River.
Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve
Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve incorporates a choice of central West Coast marine habitats.
The area is an effective example of central Westland coastal landscapes which can be dominated by past and present glaciations, and it supports fish, invertebrates and seaweeds which are typical of the center latitudes of the West Coast.
It is with reference to the internationally renowned Ōkārito Lagoon and other natural estuaries which are important spawning and nursery habitat for native fish akin to giant kokopu and inanga. The reserve adjoins the Ōkārito Mataitai Reserve and a few largely unmodified coastal lands within Westland Tai Poutini National Park and Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Tauparikaka Marine Reserve
Tauparikaka Marine Reserve is an effective example of natural beach and tidal lagoon habitats.
The area is notable for coastal dunes which have a high biodiversity value. There are wetland, sand dune, and lowland forest habitats nearby and Ship Creek / Tauparikaka flows through public conservation land from a natural forested catchment that may be portion of Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand
World Heritage Area.
The sea portion is a part of a place known for an unusually high presence of Hector’s dolphins, and adjoins the Tauparikaka Mataitai Reserve.
Hautai Marine Reserve
Hautai Marine Reserve includes representative examples of plenty of southern latitude West Coast marine habitats lying at the inshore margins of a fancy submarine landscape of canyons and rocky reefs.
This component of coast has habitats of high wildlife value, including marine mammals and seabirds. It adjoins a wide expanse of protected conservation land within Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.
Establishment process
The Department of Conservation publicly notified the recent reserves last year when they were unanimously recommended by the West Coast Marine Forum – representing the resident Ngāi Tahu Maori tribe, commercial and recreational fishers, conservationists, tourism operators and native councils.
Many people contributed to the lengthy consultation process which included 159 submissions of which all but four were in favour.
The NZ Marine Reserves Act requires the Minister of Conservation, after considering the submissions, to make your mind up whether to uphold any of the objections, or to proceed.
The decision to proceed means the method now goes to the ultimate stage of seeking the concurrence of the Ministers of Primary Industries and Transport to enable the reserves to be surveyed and gazetted later this year.
New Zealand currently has 34 marine reserves, protecting around 13,000 square kilometres. It is 6.9% of recent Zealand’s Territorial Sea and about 0.3% of recent Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
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