Marine protection for south eastern South Island

Fisheries New Zealand and DOC are seeking public feedback on a proposed network of marine protected areas off the southeast coast of the South Island. The proposed network includes six marine reserves, where marine life would be fully protected and fishing banned, five marine protected areas, which would impose a range of restrictions to fishing, and one kelp protection area and where commercial harvest of bladder kelp would be prohibited.There is currently no marine protection in this area between Timaru and Waipapa Point in Southland.Last year, the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation announced their intention to consult on the proposed network, which is one of two options put forward by the South-East Marine Protection Forum in 2018 for marine protection for the region.The proposal contributes to protecting biodiversity under the Government’s Marine Protected Area Policy and will help New Zealand meet its international obligations to establish marine protected areas over 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020.Consultation is open from 17 February to 17 April 2020.  Online submissions can be made here