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Report on Public Meeting
Great Barrier Island Marine Reserve
Venue: Great Barrier Sports Club, Claris
Date: Saturday 17th May 2003
Chair: Helen O'Shea, Community Board member
Duration: 3.0 hours
Attendance: 65 people
Introduction
Dale Tawa, Department of Conservation, introduced the DoC team. Jim Flack, Barrier resident, Dr. Roger Grace, scientist and Emma Rush from Auckland DoC office. Warwick Murray and Al Morrison were also present.
The proposal document was up for discussion. Dale emphasised DoC were seeking community input and "we are well aware compromises will have to be made regarding the proposal."
Marine Reserve Presentation
Jim discussed the impact technology was having on the marine environment. "Marine reserves protect big fish. Another reason why we need marine reserves is because they are an insurance policy. There's a lot we don't know about the sea. Doc are in the business of protecting habitats and everything in it."
Put in your submissions and tell us what you think. Jim stated, "Your submissions can't be ignored."
Other Protection Tools
Dale Tawa talked about why they wanted a marine reserve, what the other options were. "Marine reserves are no-take marine reserves. What are the other tools available to us apart from marine reserve protection? They include taiapure, mataitai.
Dale advised, "I don't have to remind you that there are 1.3 million people not more than 30 minutes by plane away from this island. I don't have to remind you that there are 1005 recreational boats that reach this island within two hours. They are bound to have some sort of environmental impact on this island. I will leave that with you, you decide on how you would like to proceed, if at all."
Marine Reserves Stop Fishing
Dr. Floor Anthoni addressed the meeting. He is a marine naturalist with scientific grounding. By 1983 he started to see signs of degradation. He wants to save the sea for our children. Marine reserves are not the best way to save the sea. Marine reserves do work when there is only one threat and that is fishing. Marine reserves only stop fishing activity; it doesn't halt any degradation occurring.
Increases in plankton blooms are caused by fertilisation from the land. Sewerage is a big problem. These problems are causing mass deaths in the sea.
option4
option4 are concerned about the lack of public awareness surrounding the proposal. option4 are not against marine reserves, the objective is to see good process, make sure the public are adequately consulted and listened to. Marine reserves are forever, we need to make sure we are doing it right. The locals don't need to make a rash decision when it comes to the proposed reserve.
For security of submissions the option4 website submission tool can be used.
Questions for DoC
- Trish Rea - How are you (DoC) going to know the difference between submissions from islanders and those from other places?
Jim Flack - "it's usually the first thing people say."
- TR - option4 would like a copy of the budget for the project, last week Jim mentioned $100,000 for the proposal, we figured that would only cover the cost of the proposal documents.
JF - "I said at Port Fitzroy, around six figures, but I will get back to you."
- TR - We need an extension to the submission period, two months is not long enough.
JF - "the proposal was sent out to everyone on the island on the 23rd March. The closing date is 30th June, that's three months and one week. That's long enough to make a submission."
TR - if you really want a marine reserve that will be policed by the people then you need to get the opinion of the people and two months is not long enough.
- TR - Is it reasonable to expect DoC to provide public money to balance the argument against marine reserves?
Dale Tawa - "No"
Current Doc Lockouts
Peter Blackwell, born on the island, ratepayer and regular visitor, addressed the meeting and his concerns about DoC behaviour. Peter has major issues with DoC not listening to the people. Locking up areas will not address the major issues of commercial overfishing and poisonous planktons in the sea.
Offshore islands are owned by the public, DoC has only been given the role to manage these islands on behalf of the public.
a. Kermadecs - no fishing, no landing
b. Poor Knights - no fishing, no landing
c. Hen & Chickens - no landing
d. Mokohinaus - no landing
e. Little Barrier - no landing
f. Cuvier - no landing
Who's islands are they?
Lockouts are not what we want. They are for the people.
Feedback
Several motions were put to the floor and voted on as follows -
1. Who supports this marine reserve proposal as is? None
2. Who is against the marine reserve proposal as is? Unanimous
3. Who supports this proposal with modifications? 20%
Follow Up
DoC have agreed to provide a copy of the budget for the marine reserve proposal for Great Barrier Island.
As of 1st July 2003 this has still not been provided.
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