Goat Island Marine Reserve

New Zealand has 44 marine reserves (as of August 2020) 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.[1]

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.[2]

The first marine reserve to be created was the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve.[3] 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.[4] An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the Guardians of Fiordland in 2005.[5] The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.[4][6]

Effects

The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas.[4] 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.[1] Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).[4]

List of reserves

List of marine reserves in New Zealand
NameImageMapArea (ha)[7]Date createdNotes
Akaroa Marine Reserve5122014Covers an area around the eastern side of the entrance to Akaroa Harbour, known for marine mammals including Hector's dolphins, whales, and seals.[8]
Auckland Islands - Motu Maha Marine Reserve498,0002003Covers a range of marine environments in the water around the Auckland Islands.
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve5471975The first marine reserve to be established in New Zealand.
Hautai Marine Reserve[9]8532014Located in a remote corner of New Zealand's West Coast, making it the most remote marine reserve on New Zealand's main archipelago.
Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve4112005Covers the inner reaches of Hāwea / Bligh Sound.
Hikurangi Marine Reserve[10]10,4162014Deepest marine reserve around the mainland of New Zealand, covering a large area of the Kaikōura Canyon and Hikurangi Trench.
Horoirangi Marine Reserve9042005Also known as the Glenduan Marine Reserve, covers the eastern side of Tasman Bay and protects a unique transition zone with a range of reef-dwelling species.
Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve4642005Protects the entirety of the Gold Arm of Taiporoporo / Charles Sound, which includes a range of red and black corals[11]
Kahurangi Marine Reserve[12]8,4192014
Kapiti Marine Reserve2,1671992
Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve748,0001990
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve4332005
Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve9801995
Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve6191993
Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve2,0072005
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve5011995
Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands Marine Reserve[13][14]104,6262014
Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve[13][14]290,0002014
Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island Marine Reserve[13][14]217,2872014
Parininihi Marine Reserve1,8442006
Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve6901993
Pohatu Marine Reserve (Flea Bay)2151999
Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve1,8901981
Punakaiki Marine Reserve[15]3,5202014
Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve6132005
Tapuae Marine Reserve1,4042008
Taputeranga Marine Reserve8552008
Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve1,4662005
Tauparikākā Marine Reserve[16]172014
Tāwharanui Marine Reserve[17]3942011
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve4461997
Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve931993
Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound) Marine Reserve4492005
Te Matuku Marine Reserve6902005
Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) Marine Reserve1,2672006
Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve3,6722005
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve2,4521999
Tonga Island Marine Reserve1,8351993
Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve1,0601992
Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve1,0752004
Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve[18]4,5572014
Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve5361994
Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve8401993
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve2372006Protects two separate areas within Whangārei Harbour: an intertidal mudflat and mangrove forest at Waikaraka, and the waters around Motukaroro / Passage Island. Was established following efforts by students from Kamo High School.[19]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Enderby, Jenny & Tony (2006). A guide to New Zealand's marine reserves. NZ: New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-86966-114-4.
  2. ↑ "Review of the Marine Reserves Act 1971". Department of Conservation. May 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Department of Conservation – Marine reserves A–Z
  4. 1 2 3 4 Warne, Kennedy. Blue Haven: New Zealand marine reserves are a model for the world National Geographic Magazine April 2007.
  5. ↑ New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC). "Hawea (Clio Rocks): Fiordland marine reserves". Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  6. ↑ Lynch, Brigid (19 October 2006). "Marine reserve created by young enthusiasm". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 28 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded areas of all marine reserves established in New Zealand)". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  8. ↑ "Akaroa Marine Reserve". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Hautai Marine Reserve: West Coast places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  10. ↑ "Hikurangi Marine Reserve: Places to go in Marlborough". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  11. ↑ "Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Kahurangi Marine Reserve: West Coast places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 "Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill 2011 (2013 No 310-2)". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  14. 1 2 3 "Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill". New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "Punakaiki Marine Reserve: West Coast places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  16. ↑ "Tauparikākā Marine Reserve: West Coast places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  17. ↑ "Tāwharanui Marine Reserve: Places to go in Auckland". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve: West Coast places to visit". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  19. ↑ Lynch, Brigid (22 July 2023). "Marine reserve created by young enthusiasm". NZ Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
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