From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
Name
Image
Map
Area (ha)
[7]
Date created
Notes
Akaroa Marine Reserve
512
2014
Covers 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 Reserve
498,000
2003
Covers a range of marine environments in the water around the
Auckland Islands .
Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve
547
1975
The first marine reserve to be established in New Zealand.
Hautai Marine Reserve
[9]
853
2014
Located 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 Reserve
411
2005
Covers the inner reaches of
Hāwea / Bligh Sound .
Hikurangi Marine Reserve
[10]
10,416
2014
Deepest marine reserve around the mainland of New Zealand, covering a large area of the
Kaikōura Canyon and
Hikurangi Trench .
Horoirangi Marine Reserve
904
2005
Also 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 Reserve
464
2005
Protects the entirety of the Gold Arm of
Taiporoporo / Charles Sound , which includes a range of red and black corals
[11]
Kahurangi Marine Reserve
[12]
8,419
2014
Kapiti Marine Reserve
2,167
1992
Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve
748,000
1990
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
433
2005
Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve
980
1995
Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve
619
1993
Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve
2,007
2005
Motu Manawa-Pollen Island Marine Reserve
501
1995
Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands Marine Reserve
[13]
[14]
104,626
2014
Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island Marine Reserve
[13]
[14]
290,000
2014
Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island Marine Reserve
[13]
[14]
217,287
2014
Parininihi Marine Reserve
1,844
2006
Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve
690
1993
Pohatu Marine Reserve (Flea Bay)
215
1999
Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve
1,890
1981
Punakaiki Marine Reserve
[15]
3,520
2014
Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve
613
2005
Tapuae Marine Reserve
1,404
2008
Taputeranga Marine Reserve
855
2008
Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve
1,466
2005
Tauparikākā Marine Reserve
[16]
17
2014
Tāwharanui Marine Reserve
[17]
394
2011
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
446
1997
Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve
93
1993
Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound) Marine Reserve
449
2005
Te Matuku Marine Reserve
690
2005
Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) Marine Reserve
1,267
2006
Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve
3,672
2005
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
2,452
1999
Tonga Island Marine Reserve
1,835
1993
Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve
1,060
1992
Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve
1,075
2004
Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve
[18]
4,557
2014
Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve
536
1994
Whanganui A Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
840
1993
Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve
237
2006
Protects 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
External links