The primary objective of the Marine Protected Areas Act should be to create marine reserves/MPA’s for the purpose of protecting and restoring biodiversity within the whole of New Zealand’s marine environment (as recommended and promoted by the IUCN). We support legislation that can deliver a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of Marine Reserves (fully protected areas) and other Marine Protected Areas. These areas should contain representative examples of the full range of marine communities and ecosystems and also outstanding, rare, distinctive or important marine habitats. We particularly need more, and larger, no-take reserves in our coastal waters close to population and recreation centres, where pollution, sedimentation in particular and fishing pressure have seriously degraded many marine ecosystems and their biodiversity. In addition, these no-take Marine Reserves can provide significant opportunities for ecologically sustainable business ventures, education and scientific research.

The Minister for the Environment, Dr Nick Smith, recently stated that New Zealand should aspire to be world leader in ocean management, but we are currently woefully behind what is happening in other countries. GOS believe we have to look beyond our borders to find a robust and achievable solution for the Marlborough Sounds and other areas under threat in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), one of the  largest in the world.

For example, at the recent World Parks Congress in Australia in late 2014, a recommendation was made to urgently increase the area that is managed in systems of Marine Protected Areas to at least 30% of each marine habitat, which has no extractive activities. This is a further increase in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Target for 10% of marine areas to be conserved in MPAs by 2020, which New Zealand is still well short of achieving.

GOS are of the firm belief that a potential and realistic solution for this revised act to ensure protection and restoration of marine biodiversity exists and has been proven to work for decades. Namely; large scale, comprehensive and adequate systems of marine management in the shape of Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s), incorporating spatial planning and sanctuary zones (NZ marine reserves). These are already in place around the world, the most famous probably being the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP).
GOS also believe that for maximum efficiency and ease of public involvement and support, all existing and proposed MPA’s designated under this new MPA act, should be managed and overseen by a specific, adequately resourced Marine section within the DOC, rather than across a number of agencies and Ministerial Departments as proposed.
GOS believe it is also crucial that this legislation is applied to the whole of New Zealand’s marine environment including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Extended Continental Shelf and not restrict it to only the Territorial Sea. We need robust legislation that delivers protection within New Zealand’s whole Marine Environment, and certainty for its flora, fauna and users. A resilient economy requires a vigorous, healthy environment. This long term protection of the marine environment should not now or ever be constrained or compromised by oil, gas, mineral mining, or other extractive interests.

Marine Protected Areas must have the primary purpose of protecting biodiversity, and so we support the inclusion of Marine Reserves, species-specific sanctuaries, and Seabed Reserves as tools in this legislation. However, in order to ensure ‘New Zealand’s international obligations in relation to the marine environment are met’, they must be available throughout the whole of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Extended Continental Shelf and not restricted to the Territorial Sea, as currently advocated.
While we support the creation of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, the proposed MPA legislation must also include a formal and straightforward mechanism for creating other Marine Protected Areas in the EEZ.
GOS do not support including Recreational Fishing Parks in this legislation as they have no known conservation value and do not protect or enhance biodiversity. The IUCN also state that recreational fishing parks are not marine protected areas per se. In particular, GOS do not believe that the proposed Marlborough Sounds Recreational Fishing Park, first announced by Dr Nick Smith and Nathan Guy, prior to the last election, will achieve any significant improvement for the overall biodiversity, benthic, pelagic and coastal habitats. Also of concern, given that less than less than 20% of the population of New Zealand fish recreationally (MPI figures 2010), this proposal could be seen by the remaining 80% as being irrelevant, inappropriate and far too exclusive, catering only to one user group and even an offensive name by those who would wish to see the habitats, flora and fauna of the Sounds managed and protected for the benefit of all.
Tools for the sustainable management of fisheries are already available in the Fisheries Act 1996 and if, due to election promises, a decision is taken to pursue this approach, Recreational Fishing Parks should remain there. If fishing parks are to be included in the existing Fisheries Act legislation, they must allow for a representative network of no-take Marine Reserves within them to give them conservation value and to enhance the educational, scientific and recreational opportunities for non-extractive users; snorkellors, divers, eco-tourism etc.
Blue cod have been heavily depleted everywhere by commercial and recreational fishers over the years and have understandably showed signs of recovery (increase in size and abundance) when their habitat is protected ie.Taputeranga Marine Reserve. This is one of the few reserves worldwide that had a baseline study performed before the establishment of the reserve in 2008, allowing a more adequate approach for the detection of changes due to reservation status. Results to date suggest that there is a positive reserve effect on the abundance and size of blue cod. GOS believe that habitat protection for Blue Cod in particular from all fishing impacts in the Marlborough Sounds, should include all the enclosed bays and 463m off all islands (as at Long Island MR) i.e. fishing of any type only permitted in open channels.
GOS fully support MPAs being recognised in Regional Coastal Plans. We also support applications for land based activities subject to the RMA being required to take into account their effect on MPAs, as pollution from land based activities such as excessive nutrients and sediment are a major source of degradation of our coastal environment.
GOS fully support all existing no-take marine reserves being transitioned, with all their current protections, to the new legislation. There should also be a provision for restoration of existing marine reserves and potential new ones, given the level of degradation from human activities in particular, as well as environmental impacts
Given that the Marlborough Sounds has almost 20% of New Zealand’s coastline, GOS believe that it should be the first marine and coastal area to be afforded the same level of protection and management as the multi zoned, spatially managed GBRMP and that planning for this designation should proceed ASAP. To that end, GOS would also hope to be involved in further developments and amendments to this proposal to develop a new MPA Act, in order that it meets current and future international commitments.

Regards,

Bill Foster
Vice-Chairman, Guardians of the Sounds
PO Box 197, Picton, 7220

Our forefathers removed 1 million cubic feet of native trees from the area, Now is the right time to replant the Sounds for a sustainable future.

This is a practical project which will enable us to offer Environmental Education to our younger generation by involving them in the removal of pest species and restoration of local native forests.

Check out the new website www.totarasfortotaranui.org.nz

Get in touch to get involved.

“I am very supportive of the designation of Biospheres, so feel free to say that. The proposal for Marlborough is exciting !
I’m not sure why NZ did not look at the possibility of designations. I don’t recall this ever being raised when I was Minister of Conservation in 1987/9, or when I was PM 1999/2008. We had a plan for World Heritage listing of historic heritage sites – previously NZ’s designations (National Park, Mt Cook/Westland etc) were natural heritage sites. Perhaps the Dept of Conservation focused on that level of designation, not the Biospheres, but it is a missed opportunity.
All good for putting NZ on the map and for encouraging recognition of what is unique to our country.
Kind regards – and thanks for caring.”

Current UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark – August 16th 2014

“I welcome the news that New Zealand may at last be joining the ever growing global family of Biosphere Reserves.
With its diverse habitats, biodiversity and history, Marlborough will be an excellent and iconic first example of a Biosphere for the country and if correctly promoted and managed sustainably, could and should be somewhere that the rest of the world will want to come and see – the community and nature, living and working in balance.“

Professor David Bellamy OBE – March 26 2013

At the recent World Parks Congress in Australia in 2014, a recommendation was made to urgently increase the area that is managed in systems of marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to at least 30% of each marine habitat, which has no extractive activities. This is an increase in the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Target for just 10% of marine areas to be conserved in MPAs by 2020, of which NZ is also currently falling well short.

Recent pronouncements by the NZ Government of a possible Recreational Fishing Park for the Marlborough Sounds will do little, if anything, to help reach these essential targets. With 20% of the NZ coastline at our door, Guardians of the Sounds, believe we should be making greater use of International legislation that NZ has already signed up to.

To this end, as well as seeking a significant increase in the areas protected as Marine Reserves in the Sounds, Guardians of the Sounds is championing and actively seeking funds for the region to be nominated as NZ’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

NZ remains one of the few first world nations that still has no Biospheres.

Guardians of the Sounds is also advocating International recognition of the area’s special values and community, including historical maritime first connections with Polynesian and European colonisation, through UNESCO World Heritage site nomination within the Biosphere.

Guardians of the Sounds is also aware that UNESCO is currently developing international cooperation projects with member states to demonstrate space technology applications for the conservation, management and sustainable development of UNESCO designated places, in particular World Heritage sites and Biosphere Reserves.

Peter due to ill health has been elevated to Patron and handed over the role of Chairmanship to Paul Keating.

Being a seaman like Peter, Paul has a love of the ocean and based locally as a marine tourism operator he will strive to fill the big shoes Pete has left behind. Pauls attention will be on revitalising the Guardians focus, education, sounds Patrol, research and getting new junior members to join.

This month the committee will meet again out in the sounds to discuss the exciting future of the guardians with an update to follow.

Please note the following regarding the Protest Flotilla:

• Whanau wishing to join the flotilla must ensure that they are suitably dressed with warm clothoes and rain coats if weather is inclement. It would also be a good idea to bring your own life jackets, especially childrens life jackets.
• The Protest will be weather permitting, rain we can handle ,but if there are storm conditions , we will postpone till following weekend. Postponement will be advertised over the local radio and CH 63. Protest will be held on next fine Saturday.
• All vessels should be seaworthy and reliable.
• Responsible skippers.
• Vessels need to have VHF and able to receive on CH 63 .
• Skippers need to ensure that their vessels are not overloaded and that everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket, especially children and they must have full safety equipment including a first aid kit.
• Skippers to ensure that vessels are securely secured to jetty with fore and aft springs to limit vessel movement when protesters are boarding , special care taken so hands and feet don’t get squashed between beltings and wharf.
• Protest vessels will meet up and protest will start at Ruakaka salmon farm.
• All vessels will be addressed by command vessel Tutanekai, as to the plan for protest and be informed that all vessels should stay 50 metres off farm structures, displaying placards and banners is ok, but on no account are any missiles to be thrown at the farms and to respect King Salmons private property.
• On no account is any one permitted to berth alongside farms , must respect and keep off King salmon property, and remember our beef is with Government and King Salmon management not farm staff.
• We will assemble at the Ruakaka Salmon farm displaying our placards, then head over to the proposed Kaitepeha and Rua O Moko salmon farm sites where the protest will disband.
• We will designate a couple of small fast vessels to be patrol craft they will carry identified by Red flags.
• The purpose of protest is not just to demonstrate at King Salmon the feelings of Sounds users and our objection to them applying to change our Sounds Plan and for exclusive occupation of our public water space but to also provide a photo opportunity for the media who will no doubt be overhead in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
• The speed of the vessels engaged shall not exceed the speed of the slowest vessel suggest around 8 knots , within 200 metres of the shore or salmon Farms this must be reduced to 5 knots.
• We respectfully suggest that yachties lower sails and use motors only when taking part in flotilla.
• Once protest is over vessels will disband , from this point on they are not under control of the patrol craft

We attach a legal disclaimer;

This group has been asked by the Guardians Of The Sounds to come together to share their collective knowledge and expertise,neither this group or the Guardians ,or its members as facilitators of this protest accept any legal or physical responsibility of the actions or consequences of those actions by any individual or groups who take part in this process .

Pete Beech

Chairman , Guardians Of The Sounds.

NO CHARGE. Vessel has been chartered by Guardians.

Forecast is for sunny day, but pay to bring warm clothes.

Contact numbers: 573 6901 / 027 540 4407

Take me to the Sustain Our Sounds website>>

If marchers would like to join protest flotilla contact Pete Beech 5736901 and we try and arrange it.

Protest craft of all shapes and sizes are invited to muster at Ruakaka Salmon Farm at 11.00 am , bring a placard along and deliver your message to King Salmon and the Government. No missiles are to be thrown and no one is to berth along side or board farm.

Flotilla will then steam across to Kaitapeha and Rua O Moko proposed farm sites before dispersing.