Marine Protected Areas Proposed by Fishing Regulations Under the Fisheries Act 1996
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for administering the Fisheries Act 1996 and regulations made under that Act. MPI is seeking public comment on three proposed marine protected areas (MPAs); two at the Punakaiki location and one at the Gorge location, West Coast, South Island. The proposed MPAs would prohibit commercial bottom impacting fishing methods, specifically bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging, by fishing regulations under the Fisheries Act 1996. These proposed MPAs would not affect whitebaiting, recreational line fishing, eeling and shellfish gathering.
The proposed Punakaiki MPAs include two coastal areas (totalling 326 ha) that adjoin and are completely enclosed by the proposed Punakaiki Marine Reserve. These two areas are located north and south of Dolomite Point, extend up to 0.43 nautical miles (800 metres) offshore and include the estuaries in the lower reaches of the Pororari and Punakaiki Rivers.
The proposed Gorge MPA (9231 ha) extends from the vicinity of the Gorge River mouth southwards to Awarua Point. At its southern point it extends approximately 2.16 nautical miles (4,000 metres) offshore from MHWS and its northernmost point extends approximately 5.29 nautical miles (9,800 metres) offshore. This area adjoins and completely encloses the proposed Gorge Marine Reserve.
Download Map of Proposed Marine Protected Area - Gorge (PDF 506KB)
Download Map of Proposed Marine Protected Area - Punakaiki (PDF 461KB)
Submissions in response to the proposed Punakaiki and Gorge MPAs under Fisheries Act regulations should be sent by 22 August 2012 to:
Randall Bess,
Ministry for Primary Industries,
PO Box 2526,
Wellington,
or email: randall.bess@mpi.govt.nz
PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Conservation (DoC) is running a separate consultation process on an application to declare 5 areas on the West Coast of the South Island as marine reserves under the Marine Reserves Act. Two of these proposed marine reserves adjoin the proposed Punakaiki and Gorge MPAs. Any submissions regarding the proposed marine reserves should be directed to the DoC West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy office.
Download DoC and MPI Marine Reserves Notice (PDF 496KB)