2. METIRIA TUREI (Green) Link to this
to the Minister of Conservation
Can she confirm that only 0.3 percent of New Zealand’s marine environment is protected in marine reserves, compared to 32 percent of our total land area currently protected for conservation purposes; if so, does she think this is sufficient to allow for the protection and recovery of marine biodiversity and ecosystems?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Minister of Conservation) Link to this
No; that figure is not accurate, because marine reserve legislation extends only to the 12-mile nautical limit. Within that limit, 7.6 percent of the marine area is protected by marine reserves. We are currently working to further increase that figure, through the Marine Protected Areas Policy, which creates a network of protection of 14 coastal regions throughout New Zealand.
Why has the Government chosen not to implement the Marine Protection Areas Policy in the exclusive economic zone, using the benthic protection areas as justification for this, when these areas have been conclusively shown by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientists to “coincide strongly with areas of low biodiversity …”, and therefore these areas in particular offer worse protection than selecting areas at random?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I referred to that issue in my first answer, but I want to mention also that benthic protection areas are only one of a range of tools that may be used to protect marine biodiversity, and they are useful in protecting a range of seafloor habitats.
Moana MackeyWhat work is the Government undertaking to further improve protection for marine life off New Zealand’s coast?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
The Labour-led Government has added 15 new reserves since 2000, and a further two are currently being finalised. We have also created a network of marine protected areas in 14 coastal regions. Community groups are now working in four of these regions to identify what areas should be protected and how. That is great, and it is under way right now.
R Doug WoolertonCan the Minister advise us whether she intends to make the West Coast area from Maunganui Bluff to Cape Egmont a marine mammal sanctuary, and has she consulted Māori on this issue?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
At the moment the West Coast area is the first area that we have gone out on, on the Marine Protected Areas Policy. There was a great discussion at the first meeting, held in the last couple of weeks, so we will wait until the end of those discussions with the community and with marine fishermen.
Is the Minister concerned that the recent revision of the Crown Minerals policy, with its aim to “minimise the regulatory impact on industry.” will further fuel the Government-promoted rush of mining permits in the marine area, when we still have pathetic regulation to protect the marine environment, including no oceans policy after 7 years of talk; and does she agree that the Government would do well to apply the theme of Seaweek—“One ocean—it starts with me”—to its own policies and practices?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I am pleased the member mentioned Seaweek, which was launched just last week; there are a range of activities going on over Seaweek this week. I think it is through consultation on the marine protected areas that we are going to see interest in the mining applications, as well as in the areas around the country where we may be expecting further applications.
Does the Minister agree that the protection of marine biodiversity includes the significant whale populations that migrate through New Zealand waters; if so, will she take heed of the creative Sails for Whales petition signed by over 6,000 New Zealanders, which was presented to me and to her today on the steps of Parliament, and which called for much more to be done to stop the continued, unjustified slaughter of whales, including the sending of a navy vessel to observe whaling operations?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Yes, I was also on the steps to receive the petition. I think it is a great democratic tool for people to show their level of concern about whaling in the subantarctic seas, and it will be a great support for my work when I go to the International Whaling Commission in June. I thank those who undertake those democratic processes to show us their level of concern. But, no, we will not be sending a vessel to the subantarctic seas, as we have mentioned before.