April 2012 RM Journal
The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental
Effects) Bill 2011
Robert Makgill, Director, Kellie Dawson, Associate and Nicola de Wit, Law Clerk, North South Environmental Law, Auckland and Queenstown
The Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill (the Bill) was introduced to Parliament on 24 August 2011 and is scheduled to come into effect on 1 July 2012 (Hon Nick Smith MP “Environmental protection laws for oceans introduced” press release, 24 August 2011). The Bill will set up an environmental management regime for New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (the EEZ) and Continental Shelf (the CS). It aims to fill the gaps in New Zealand’s existing environmental management regime and to give effect to New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention 1982 (the LOSC) to manage and protect natural resources of the EEZ (explanatory note to the Bill).
