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Hauraki Gulf Marine Protected Areas
DECISION: PROGRESSED
Introduction
In June 2021 the Government released a report, the Revitalising the Gulf action plan, to try and address ongoing degradation of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park waters. Successive environmental reports have shown the Gulf is in serious decline and many fish stocks are depleted.
We were disappointed and concerned that the action plan did not propose to defend the Hauraki Gulf waters from ongoing destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling, scallop dredging and Danish seining.
In September 2022 the Department of Conservation (DOC) released proposals to create 19 new protected areas with the intention of improving the health of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
In creating these 12 High Protection Areas, 5 Seafloor Protection Areas, and extending 2 marine reserves, there is no intent to reduce the exploitation rates of vulnerable species such as gurnard, kahawai, John dory, trevally, crayfish, hapukū and others. A separate Fisheries Plan is expected later in the year.
Update
On 22 August 2023 the Hauraki Gulf /Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill was introduced into Parliament. The Bill had its first reading on 29 August and was then referred to the Environment Select Committee for their consideration. There was little publicity about both the Bill and that submissions in response to the Bill were due by 1 November 2023. See the Marine Protection Bill 2023 page for further details.
Submission
Between September and October 2022 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) worked with LegaSea, the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association, other organisations and individuals to develop a submission responding to the proposals by the 28 October deadline.
We advocated that until the full package of proposals for both marine protection and fisheries management is made available for public consultation, and a genuine effort is made by officials to consider any feedback, we oppose the marine protection areas (MPAs) proposals issued by DOC.
Our goal is to see marine abundance and biodiversity restored in the Hauraki Gulf for the benefit of future generations. Allowing destructive fishing to continue while displacing existing fishing effort into smaller areas due to numerous MPAs is not good enough. We need bold management.
Process information
A comprehensive record of the Sea Change process that occurred between 2013 and 2021 is available on line at the Sea Change Marine Spatial Plan page here.
See the Marine Protection Bill 2023 page for further details.
Relevant information
2022
Submissions
Hauraki Gulf MPA proposals. Recreational. 28 Oct 2022
Submission opposing the DoC marine protection proposals for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park because a full package of information for both marine protection and fisheries management must be made available for public consultation. NZSFC-LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting. 28 October 2022.
Hauraki Gulf MPA submission. Charter Boat Association. 28 Oct 2022
Submission opposing the proposed marine protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and recommending a comprehensive analysis of the economics of tourism and charter fishing in the Gulf. NZ Charter Boat Association. 28 October 2022.
Correspondence
Hauraki Gulf MPAs. Minister's letter. 28 Oct 2022
Fisheries Minister David Parker does not consider it necessary to extend the consultation period for the proposed marine protected areas to align with the upcoming Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan. 28 October 2022.
Hauraki Gulf MPAs. Letter to Ministers. NZSFC. 13 Oct 2022
Letter to the Ministers of Conservation and Oceans and Fisheries, requesting an extension to the consultation period for the marine protected areas, to align with the consultation period for the pending Hauraki Gulf Fisheries Plan. Recreational interests. 13 October 2022.
Proposal
Hauraki Gulf MPA proposal. DOC. 14 Sep 2022
Proposal to establish 19 new marine protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. 12 High Protection Areas. 5 Seafloor Protection Areas. 2 extensions to existing marine reserves. Submissions due by 28 October 2022. Department of Conservation. 14 September 2022.
Hauraki Gulf MPAs Impact on commercial fishing. DOC. 11 Aug 2022
Assessment report of the impact the proposed marine protected areas will have on commercial fishers. Report produced for the Department of Conservation. 11 August 2022.
Public awareness
Hauraki Gulf Alliance. November 2021
Hauraki Gulf Alliance website. Alliance is a collaboration of environmental and recreational fishing organisations calling for an end to destructive mobile bottom contact fishing methods that destroy the seabed in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
Background information
Advice. Sea Change technical advice on MPA selection. DoC. May 2021
Sea Change. Technical analysis and advice on MPA selection. DoC. May 2021. Dept of Conservation. May 2021.
Hauraki Gulf. Sea Change action plan. Government. June 2021
Government’s plan to revitalise the Hauraki Gulf. Released 22 June 2021