Here's your opportunity to help us get it put in place.
In a recent landmark case, the Court of Appeal ruled that under the RMA, Regional Councils can control some fishing activities to protect marine biodiversity.
Fish Forever have been supporting Rawhiti hapu Ngāti Kuta in working with the Northland Regional Council to get additional marine protection measures included in the new Northland Regional Plan.
Here's the protections being sought:
An extension of the wonderful Maunganui Bay Rahui (no-take except for kina) down to include Oke Bay, (red boundary in diagram below) A no-take area of approx 2% of the enclosed waters of the Bay of Islands .
A buffer zone, (gold boundary in diagram below) along the western side of the no-take area, that prohibits the following fishing methods:
- hand fishing with more than one line and with multiple hooks
- use of scuba equipment
- use of implements (spades, machetes, cray-hooks)
An area protected from bottom trawling and purse seining (purple boundary in diagram below) (excluding the Te Puna Mataitai and Waikare Inlet Taiapure).
No dredging area in the islands of Ipiriri red boundary below
Unfortunately, recreational, commercial and iwi fishing interests are opposing this modest increase in marine protection for the Bay of Islands and we are now having to fight for it in the Environment Court this July.
FAQ
"Motiti residents win 'significant' battle to protect the waters around their island
Six elderly kuia and kaumātua from Motiti Island took on the combined might of the Crown, local government, powerful iwi and the commercial fishing industry.
The tiny hapū won, backed by Forest and Bird "groundbreaking" rulings in the Environment and High courts in 2017 that gave local councils powers to regulate fishing to protect native species. But the Government appealed the decision. Now the Court of Appeal has ruled regional councils can use the Resource Management Act to control fishing to protect biodiversity." Andrea Vance Stuff News Nov 04 2019
The Maunganui Bay Temporary Closure (Rahui) is the only full no-take area (except for gathering kina) making up just 0.5% of the enclosed waters of the Bay of Islands, if successful, the new area would be approx 2% for the 10 yeats plus term of the Northland Regional Plan.
Purse seining takes out whole schools of fish while they are feeding on the surface.
Motu Kokako / Cape Brett is an extremely special area. The upwelling of currents here brings nutrients from deep water to the surface making it a very productive feeding area for marine and seabird life. Removing purse seining from the area would ensure the large schools that used to be common in the area are undisturbed by bulk fishing methods.
The adverse effects of bottom trawling on marine habitat are well documented. This Legasea article contains more detail.
Recreational: NZ Sportfishing Council (including Legasea)
Commercial: Ngāti Wai Trust Board, Rock Lobster Council, Minister of Fisheries (represented by Crown Law), Inshore Fishing Group, Te Ohu Kai Moana, Nga Puhi Asset Holdings
Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc and Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society initiated the appeal, the following parties joined in support: Ngāti Kuta, Te Uri o Hikihiki, Patukarakeke, Minister of Conservation.
BOIMP originally appealed against:
- Inadequate controls on mangrove removals,
- No controls over vehicles on beaches to protect wildlife,
- Inadequate provisions to facilitate landward migration of coastal ecosystems experiencing sea-level rise and natural hazards,
- The lack of provisions to enable restoration of form and function to floodplains to trap sediment and nutrients that would otherwise pollute coastal waters.
In addition, BOIMP also joined the appeals of the Minister of Conservation and Forest & Bird Protection Society in supporting:
- Stock exclusion from wetlands, controls on stock access to other waterbodies,
- Management of diffuse discharges of contaminants from landuse
- Better control of earthworks and land preparation activities, and better provisions for some aquaculture activities.
While most of these issues have been resolved by formal mediation, some appeals are the subject of recent and impending hearings (such as mangrove removal controls), while others have not yet progressed to either stage (such as vehicles on beaches).
We are not seeking public donations or other donor funding for resolution of these other outstanding appeal issues, as these will be covered by pro-bono contributions of professional services.
Here's how to donate
This is an excellent chance to get meaningful long term marine protection in the Bay of Islands. We need your financial assistance!
Our target is $20,000 to cover the legal costs of defending the proposed measures in the Environment Court.
We will keep you up to date with progress as the legal process plays out.
- Pay by direct credit to 12 3091 0191482 00 (ASB Kerikeri) using your name as a reference.
- Account name: Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc. Please put NRC plan in particulars.
- Email your payment details to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. we will send you a receipt, donations over $5 are tax deductible.
Donate by credit card
All of us with an interest and love of Tangaroa, let's work together and take on the challenge of marine protection for the Bay.