No Marine Reserve, Mayor tells Ministers
By Glenn Conway
14 July
2005
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This
article was originally published in the Otago Daily Times
on 14 July 2005.
Reserve wrangle
. . . Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope (second from
left) makes a point at yesterday’s Nugget Point
reserve meeting. At left is Conservation Minister Chris
Carter. Also pictured are (from left) Clutha representatives
Alan Key (Gore), obscured, Nelson Cross (Kaka Point) and
Noel Parker
PHOTO:
GERARD O’BRIEN
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The Government
was given a clear message yesterday: the Clutha district does
not want a Nugget Point marine reserve.
A Clutha
delegation, including Mayor Juno Hayes, Nugget Point Recreational
Fishing Club president Nelson Cross and Fiordland Marine Guardians
group member Alan Key met Conservation Minister Chris Carter
and Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope in Dunedin.
When
contacted after the meeting, Mr Hayes said he appreciated being
given the hearing.
“It
was a very good hearing. There were no promises made, but we
were pleased to put our position across.”
Mr Hayes
also expressed the Clutha District Council concerns about the
infrastructure pressures it would face if a marine reserve was
created.
“We
[the delegation] also made it quite clear that this issue has
divided the community and they [the Government] needs the community
behind it if the marine reserve is to work. If they don’t
have the community, it will mean a total lack of success.”
Mr Benson-Pope
told Mr Hayes and the group he would discuss their concerns
with Mr Carter. Mr Hayes said that was all he had expected from
the meeting.
“It
wasn’t a no. It wasn’t a yes. But we’re talking,
and that’s healthy.”
The two
ministers have the power to delay or reject any formal application
from the Department of Conservation (Doc) for a marine reserve
at Nugget Point.
Mr Carter
has kept a low profile on the issue so far.
But Mr
Benson-Pope has suggested publicly the application might never
be lodged because Doc staff have higher priorities.
Doc’s
Otago conservator, Jeff Connell, has said repeatedly he plans
to lodge an application.
Doc’s
first application for the marine reserve was shelved in 1992.
