South Island Southeast coast MPAs
DECISION: APPROVED
Decision
On 17 November 2023 the Department of Conservation advised the Minister of Conservation, Willow-Jean Prime, had finished considering feedback on the proposed marine reserves. Earlier, on 5 October 2023, the Minister had announced her approval for the six marine reserves. The six new ones will be part of a planned network of marine protected areas (MPAs) for the southeast coast.
DoC advise they received 4056 submissions in response to the 2020 proposals, with around 90% support for establishing the MPAs. More details on each MPA are available on the DoC website here.
Introduction
On 3 June 2020 the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand released the Proposed Marine Protected Area for New Zealand’s Southeast Coast consultation documents. Public submissions were requested. The deadline for responses was 3 August 2020.
This consultation is the latest in a process dating back to 2016 when the South-East Marine Protection Forum first issued a consultation document proposing a raft of marine protected areas, including marine reserves, on the coast from Timaru, south to Dunedin and down to Waipapa Point, Invercargill.
In February 2018 the South-East Marine Protection Forum provided recommendations to the Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries with two different network options for them to consider. In March 2019 the Ministers announced they would proceed with Network 1. The Ministers outlined the statutory processes to follow.
Consultation in 2020 was due to commence in February however, that was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Submission
On 3 August 2020 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted its recommendations opposing most of the proposals, and supporting the exclusion of mobile, bottom contact fishing methods in the Type 2 proposed areas. The Council also supported the establishment of the Arai Te Uru kelp protection area.
Relevant information
What follows is a summary of relevant available documents and timeline of events. Most recent activity is at the top of the list.
2023
Decision
Six new marine reserves approved. Minister of Conservation. 5 Oct 2023
Government announcement of six new marine reserves to be established along the southeast coast of the South Island. Minister of Conservation, Willow-Jean Prime. 5 October 2023.
Marine reserves on the South Island's southeast coast. DoC. Oct 2023
Details of the six new marine reserves established on the southeast coast of the South Island. Maps and information available on the Department of Conservation’s website. October 2023.
Marine reserve factsheet. DoC. Oct 2023
Facts and maps detailing the approved six marine reserves on the southeast coast of the South Island. Department of Conservation. October 2023.
2020
Update
Progress report. DoC. 16 Dec 2020
The Department of Conservation advise 4,056 submissions have been summarised. Agencies are analysing the submissions and drafting advice to the Ministers of Conservation, and Oceans and Fisheries. DoC. 16 December 2020.
Process update. FNZ. 11 Sep 2020
Fisheries New Zealand update advising over 4,000 submissions were received in response to the proposals to apply marine protected areas on the southeast coast of the South Island. 11 September 2020.
Submissions
Submission. Fish Mainland. 4 Aug 2020
Fish Mainland opposes all of the proposed Type 1 MPAs. It supports Type 2 MPAs in some areas under consideration for Type 1 closures. Submission by Fish Mainland. 4 August 2020.
Submission. NZSFC. 3 Aug 2020
Submission in response to the proposed Marine Protected Areas on the southeast coast of the South Island. Submission in support of excluding mobile, bottom contact fishing methods from the proposed Type 2 marine areas. Also support for the proposed kelp protection area. No support for the proposed Type 1 areas, for varying reasons. Submission by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 3 August 2020.
Reports
Parliamentary question time. 30 July 2020
New Zealand First list MP Mark Patterson asking questions in Parliament in relation to the proposed marine protected areas on the South Island’s southeast coast.
Meeting report. ODT. 27 July 2020
Tautuku Fishing Club host an election forum with Taieri candidates in the upcoming general election. Locals told the attending candidates they didn’t feel like their voices were being heard. Meeting held on 26 July, report from the Otago Daily Times on 27 July 2020.
Media release. DoC. 3 June 2020
Media release advising of the consultation for the South Island southeast coast proposed marine protected areas. Media release from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand. 3 June 2020.
Proposal
Draft summary of proposal. NZSFC. July 2020
Draft summary of the proposed marine protected areas for marine protection on the South Island’s southeast coast. Draft summary prepared for the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Fisheries Management Marine Protection Standing Committee, fisheries team and members. NZSFC. July 2020.
MPA proposal. DoC. 3 June 2020
Proposal from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand on the proposed network of 12 marine protected areas in the southeast of the South Island. The network extends from Timaru, south past Dunedin to Waipapa Point, Invercargill. The network represents one of two options put forward by the South-East Marine Protection Forum in 2018. Submissions due by 3 August 2020.
Proposal appendices. DoC. 3 June 2020
Appendices to the consultation document ‘Proposed southeast marine protected areas’ issued by the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand. 3 June 2020.
2019
Reports
Cabinet paper. DoC. 11 May 2019
Cabinet paper providing an update of the initial decisions by the Ministers of Fisheries and Conservation in response to the South-East Coast Marine Protection Forum’s recommendations for a new MPA network. Minister of Conservation. 11 May 2019.
Media release. DoC. 11 May 2019
The Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries announce their decisions to proceed with the proposed Network 1 of marine protected areas for the South Island’s southeast coast. Ministers Sage (Conservation) and Nash (Fisheries) also outline the statutory process that would follow. DoC and Fisheries New Zealand. 11 May 2019.
Cabinet minute. 14 March 2019
Minute of Cabinet’s decision. Cabinet Environment, Energy and Climate Committee noted that the Southeast Marine Protection Forum has delivered its recommendations to the Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries. The Committee invited the Ministers to report back with a draft consultation document prior to its public release. 14 March 2019.
2018
Reports
Meeting agenda. DoC. 19 Dec 2018
Agenda for meeting of the Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries and officials, to discuss the South Island southeast coast marine protection initiatives. Minister Eugene Sage (Conservation) and Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash to attend. 19 December 2018.
Network summary. DoC. 19 Dec 2018
Pictorial summary of the proposed marine protected areas for the South Island’s southeast coast. Summary explains the representative nature of the proposed areas, the size and connectivity. It also includes a brief summary of the displacement of commercial fishing effort from the proposed areas. DoC. 19 December 2018.
Network summary. DoC. 19 Dec 2018
Memo from the Department of Conservation to the Minister of Conservation. Memo prepared prior to the joint agency meeting with the Minister of Fisheries and FNZ officials. Memo includes supporting material and talking points for the upcoming meeting on 11 December. By Dept of Conservation. 4 December 2018.
Talking points. DoC. 4 Dec 2018
Talking points about the Southeast Marine Protection Forum’s recommendations on the proposed MPAs for the southeast coast of the South Island. Prepared for Eugene Sage the Minister of Conservation, by the Department of Conservation prior to her meeting with the Minister of Fisheries and FNZ officials on 11 December. Talking points dated 4 December 2018.
Ministerial briefing. FNZ. 26 Oct 2018
Fisheries New Zealand advice to Minister of Fisheries, Stuart Nash. Briefing on the joint decision with the Minister of Conservation related to the marine protection recommendations put forward by the Southeast Marine Protection Forum. Briefing prepared by FNZ prior to the Minister’s meeting with the Minister of Conservation on 31 October 2018. Briefing dated 26 October 2018.
Ministerial memo. DoC. 24 Oct 2018
Memo to Minister of Conservation Eugene Sage, from the Department of Conservation. Memo discusses key issues in relation to the joint agency (DoC and FNZ) advice on the Southeast coast Marine Protection Forum’s recommendations. Memo by Department of Conservation. 24 October 2018.
Departmental briefing. DoC & FNZ. 19 Oct 2018
Joint agency advice from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries New Zealand to their Ministers advising on the Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum’s recommendations for marine protection on the southeast coast of the South Island. DoC and FNZ. 19 October 2018.
Lessons learnt report. DoC. Oct 2018
Analysis of the Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum process. This report includes feedback from Forum members and the project team. Report concludes the process overall was successful. Department of Conservation commission. October 2018.
MPAs. Forum recommendations. SEC MPA forum. Feb 2018
South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum’s recommendations to the Ministers of Conservation and Fisheries. Report includes recommendations for marine protected areas on the southeast coast, from Timaru, south past Dunedin to Waipapa Point, Invercargill. South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum. February 2018.
2017
Reports
Forum newsletter. MPA forum. Feb 2017
Newsletter by the Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum. Forum advises they received 2800 submissions in response to the proposed marine protected areas. Steve Bennett, secretary of the Green Island Fishing Club, was appointed to the Forum in January 2018. Newsletter by the Forum. February 2017.
2016
Submissions
Submission. NZSFC. 23 Dec 2016
Submission in support of the submissions from the local affiliated club, Tautuku. Recommended support for 6 of the proposed protected areas, and opposed 14. Submission expresses concerns for the safety of small vessels and their crews. Submission by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea. 23 December 2016.
Submission. Tautuku club. 20 Dec 2016
Submission from the Tautuku Fishing Club in Dunedin. The club considers there is insufficient information available to take any steps to establish marine reserves or management areas on the South Island’s southeast coast. Submission by the Tautuku Fishing Club. 20 December 2016.
Proposal
Proposal summary. NZSFC. Dec 2016
Summary of the proposals to develop a network of marine reserves and protected areas on the southeast coast of the South Island. Summary by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. December 2016.
Alternate proposal. Commercial interests. Dec 2016
Commercial fishing industry alternative proposal to the South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum’s proposals. This alternate proposal seeks to protect the region’s marine biodiversity and sustain the fisheries. Proposal by inshore commercial fishing sector representatives. December 2016.
Roadshow. MPA Forum. 28 Oct 2016
Schedule of public information sessions in Dunedin, around Otago to Invercargill. Schedule issued by the South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum on 28 October, three days after releasing their proposals. Public meetings start on 5 November and finish on 20 November in Dunedin. SE MP Forum. 28 October 2016.
Proposal volume 1. MPA Forum. 25 Oct 2016
South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum’s proposal for marine protected areas on the southeast coast. A mix of marine reserves and marine protected areas are proposed. Supporting information provided in volume 2. Proposals by the Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum. 25 October 2016.
Proposal volume 2. MPA Forum. 25 Oct 2016
South Island Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum’s proposal for marine protected areas on the southeast coast. A mix of marine reserves and marine protected areas are proposed. This is volume 2, including supporting information for volume 1. Proposals by the Southeast Coast Marine Protection Forum. 25 October 2016.
2004-06
Nugget Point marine reserve
Nugget Point marine reserve proposal process 2004-06
A record of the process following the release of the proposal to establish a marine reserve at Nugget Point, Otago. The proposal was initiated by the Department of Conservation. After sustained opposition DoC decided against proceeding. Record on the option4 website.