New Zealand has 44 marine reserves (as of August 2020) spread around the North, the

South South is one of the cardinal directions or Points of the compass, compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Pro ...

Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the

Department of Conservation An environmental ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for the environment and/or natural resources. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of the Environment, ...

with assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Customs and the New Zealand Defence Forces.

History

The Marine Reserves Act was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 1971. In 2000 the Department of Conservation started a review of the Act resulting in a draft Marine Reserves Bill that was introduced into Parliament in June 2002, but has not yet been voted on. The first marine reserve to be created was the

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve is a protected area in the North Island of New Zealand. The reserve covers an area of , extending from Cape Rodney to Okakari Point, extending 800m offshore. Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island lies within t ...

. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve was established next, although with only a partial ban on fishing; a full ban was implemented in 1998. The first two marine reserves in Fiordland were established at the request of

New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...

in 1993.Warne, Kennedy.
Blue Haven: New Zealand marine reserves are a model for the world
''National Geographic Magazine'' April 2007. An additional eight reserves were established in Fiordland on the recommendation of the

Guardians of Fiordland Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...

in 2005. The

Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve The Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve is a protected area in the North Island of New Zealand. It was established in 2006 and measures over two sites. The students and faculty of the nearby Kamo High School played an important role in establishing ...

was established in 2006 with the active support of the students and faculty of nearby Kamo High School.

Effects

The abundance of fish within the reserves creates spillover, or larval export, that boosts catches in neighbouring areas. In general, the reserves tend to attract a lot of recreational divers and fishermen. The divers are attracted to the abundant fish, coral, etc. inside the reserves. The fishermen are attracted to the areas just outside the reserves – where spillover creates an abundance of large game fish not found in other areas. The

, in particular, receives more than 200,000 visitors per year. It is a popular spot for

snorkelers Snorkeling ( British and Commonwealth English spelling: snorkelling) is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped breathing tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a ...

and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve after over 30 years of protection. Species that can be found in the reserve include

Australasian snapper The Australasian snapper (''Chrysophrys auratus'') or silver seabream is a species of porgie found in coastal waters of Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and New Zealand. Its distribution areas in the Northern and ...

and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).

List of reserves

References

External links

Marine reserves & other protected areas
at the New Zealand Department of Conservation
''Effects of a 30-year fishing ban''
– NIWA
Marine reserves
at Forest and Bird {{Authority control

History

Effects

List of reserves

See also

References

External links