DOC
set on Marine Reserve
By Joseph
Beaumont
This
article was originally published in the Southland Times 21 March
2005
The Department of Conservation (DOC) will go ahead with
a new application for a marine reserve at Nugget Point, despite
strong local opposition.Otago Conservator Jeff Connell announced
the decision on Friday, the day on which DOC's initial public
feedback and information-gathering process on the proposed reserve
finished.
"Based
on the information we have received, I am satisfied that a marine
reserve at Nugget Point will meet the requirements of the 1971
Marine Reserves Act."
The process
so far had been "positive", Mr Connell said.
However,
Kaka Point resident Nelson Cross, president of the local recreational
fishing club and a leading opponent of the reserve, said yesterday
DOC "as usual" had taken no notice of opposition,
both local and national.
"I'm
more than angry – I'm hurt," Mr Cross said.
"I
love this place and I want it for the next generation and the
one after that.
"It's
been a long battle and we haven't given up yet. It's not the
end by any means."
Dave
Anderson, chairman of the Nuggets Action Group, which was re-formed
recently to fight the proposal, said the outcome was predetermined.
"It's
sad (DOC) won't listen to the majority of the community."
Mr Connell
said submissions had ranged from saying a marine reserve based
on DOC's first application in 1992 would be too small, to total
opposition to any kind of reserve.
The department
had also collected information on fishing and recreational activities
carried out in the area, as well as from dive surveys along
the Nuggets coast.
He would
talk to "selected groups" about the proposed boundaries
in April, he said.
It was
likely the boundaries, to be published at the end of this month,
would be different from DOC's 1992 proposal.
"We
have decided to carry out limited consultation on our proposed
boundaries, largely in response to some parties who asked for
(details of those) boundaries in order for them to more usefully
participate.
"There
is no legal requirement to carry out this consultation, but
the department wants to respond to the key players who have
asked for this step."
Mr Connell
said he hoped to start the formal process of applying for a
marine reserve in May.
"I've
received feedback indicating that this issue needs to be resolved.
The idea of a marine reserve at Nugget Point has been around
since 1989.
"Strong
views are held on both sides. A definite concern has been expressed
to me that the issue should not be allowed to drift and I am
determined to maintain momentum."
DOC would
hold three public meetings in April to explain its proposal,
Mr Connell said.
"These
are not consultation meetings. We will answer questions and
listen to what is said.
"People
or groups who are not approached for consultation may still
write to the department during April. We will consider all views
received before we make our application."
The meetings
will be held at 7pm in the Balclutha Memorial Hall on April
6, the Kaka Point hall on April 7 and in Dunedin on April 8
(University of Otago, St David St seminar rooms).
