Marine reserves of New Zealand
New Zealand has 37[1] marine reserves spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Customs and the New Zealand Defence Forces.[2]
History
The Marine Reserves Act was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1971. In 2000 the Department of Conservation started a review of the Act resulting in a draft Marine Reserves Bill that was introduced into Parliament in June 2002, but has not yet been voted on.[3]
The first marine reserve to be created was the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve.[4] The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve was established next, although with only a partial ban on fishing; a full ban was implemented in 1998. The first two marine reserves in Fiordland were established at the request of New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen in 1993.[5] An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the Guardians of Fiordland in 2005.[6] The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.[5][7]
Effects
The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas.[5] In general, the reserves tend to attract a lot of recreational divers and fishermen. The divers are attracted to the abundant fish, coral, etc. inside the reserves. The fishermen are attracted to the areas just outside the reserves – where spillover creates an abundance of large game fish not found in other areas.
The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, in particular, receives more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve after over 30 years of protection.[2] Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).[5]
List of reserves
| Name | Area (ha) | Date created |
|---|---|---|
| Akaroa Marine Reserve | 475 | 2013 |
| Antipodes Island / Moutere Mahue Marine Reserve[8] | 217,000[9] | 2014 |
| Auckland Islands Marine Reserve | 498,000 | 2003 |
| Bounty Islands / Moutere Hauriri Marine Reserve[8] | 105,000[9] | 2014 |
| Campbell Island / Moutere Ihupuku Marine Reserve[8] | 113,000[9] | 2014 |
| Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) | 518 | 1975 |
| Hawea Marine Reserve (Clio Rocks) | 411 | 2005 |
| Hautai Marine Reserve[a] | 847 | 2013 |
| Horoirangi Marine Reserve | 904 | 2006 |
| Kahukura Marine Reserve (Gold Arm) | 464 | 2005 |
| Kahurangi Marine Reserve[a] | 8,466 | 2013 |
| Kapiti Marine Reserve | 2,167 | 1992 |
| Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve | 748,000 | 1990 |
| Kutu Parera Marine Reserve | 433 | 2005 |
| Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve | 980 | 1995 |
| Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve | 619 | 1993 |
| Mayor Island Marine Reserve (Tuhua) | 1,060 | 1992 |
| Moana Uta Marine Reserve | 2,007 | 2005 |
| Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve | 500 | 1995 |
| Parininihi Marine Reserve | 1,800 | 2006 |
| Piopiotahi Marine Reserve (Milford Sound) | 690 | 1993 |
| Pōhatu Marine Reserve (Flea Bay) | 215 | 1999 |
| Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve | 2,400 | 1981 |
| Punakaiki Marine Reserve[a] | 3,558 | 2013 |
| Taipari Roa Marine Reserve | 613 | 2005 |
| Tapuae Marine Reserve | 1,404 | 2008 |
| Taputeranga Marine Reserve | 854 | 2008 |
| Taumoana Marine Reserve | 1,466 | 2005 |
| Te Angiangi Marine Reserve | 446 | 1997 |
| Te Awaatu Channel Marine Reserve (The Gut) | 93 | 1993 |
| Te Hapua Marine Reserve | 449 | 2005 |
| Te Matuku Bay Marine Reserve | 690 | 2003 |
| Te Paepae o Aotea Marine Reserve | 1,267 | 2006 |
| Te Tapuwae O Hua Marine Reserve | 3,672 | 2005 |
| Te Tapuwae O Rongokako Marine Reserve | 2,452 | 1999 |
| Whanganui A Hei Marine Reserve (Cathedral Cove) | 840 | 1993 |
| Tauparikākā Marine Reserve[a] | 16 | 2013 |
| Tonga Island Marine Reserve | 1,835 | 1993 |
| Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve | 1,075 | 2004 |
| Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve[a] | 4,641 | 2013 |
| Westhaven Marine Reserve (Te Tai Tapu) | 536 | 1994 |
| Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve | 254 | 2006 |
- Note: [a] The five new marine reserves announced for the West Coast are yet to be gazetted.
See also
References
- ↑ "New marine reserves set up in subantarctic". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Enderby, Jenny & Tony (2006). A guide to New Zealand's marine reserves. NZ: New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-86966-114-4.
- ↑ "Review of the Marine Reserves Act 1971". Department of Conservation. May 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ↑ Department of Conservation – Marine reserves A–Z
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Warne, Kennedy. Blue Haven: New Zealand marine reserves are a model for the world National Geographic Magazine April 2007.
- ↑ New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). "Hawea (Clio Rocks): Fiordland marine reserves". Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ↑ Lynch, Brigid (19 October 2006). "Marine reserve created by young enthusiasm". New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill 2011 (2013 No 310-2)". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill". New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
External links
- Marine reserves & other protected areas at the New Zealand Department of Conservation
- Effects of a 30-year fishing ban – NIWA
- Marine reserves at Forest and Bird
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