Nugget Point Mar 2005

This article was originally published in the Otago Daily Times 26 March 2005

MP's stance also criticised . Kaka Point

Balclutha: The Forest and Bird Protection Society is angry the best and most productive reefs on the Nugget Point coastline look likely to be excluded from the proposed marine reserve there.

Its southern conservation officer, Sue Maturin, said leaving these areas out would severely undermine the public, scientific and conservation values of a marine reserve.

The Department of Conservation seemed intent on creating nothing more than "another postage stamp reserve", she said.

She also criticised Clutha-Southland MP Bill English for his anti-reserve comments, claiming this went against his commitment to more reserves three years ago.

She said Mr English had stated in 2002 that a National government would create nine new marine reserves in its first term.

"By opposing the proposed marine reserve, Mr English seems to be pandering to a vocal group of recreational fishers and is ignoring the significant local support."

People from Kaka Point and Balclutha had contacted her office, expressing their support for a reserve.

Ms Maturin said many local people felt too intimidated to speak out, but hundreds had contacted Doc with their support.

Doc plans to release proposed boundaries for the planned marine reserve next week. It hopes to make a formal application for a new reserve in May.

New Zealanders want more marine reserves and more coastal areas protected by reserves, a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) survey has revealed.

The survey, conducted by Colmar Brunton last month, asked 1001 New Zealanders about marine protection, and particularly marine reserves. Of those polled, 95% believed more of New Zealand's coast should be protected by marine reserves.

WWF New Zealand chief executive Jo Breese said the poll showed widespread support for reserves, with more than twothirds of those polled saying the areas protected should be more than the Government's target of 10% of the marine environment.

"WWF urges the Government to pass the Marine Reserves Bill as quickly as possible. Our increasing understanding of New Zealand's remarkable marine biodiversity and the clear public expectation for more marine reserves to provide robust protection for the coast and sea, both point to the need for progress on the Marine Reserves Bill," she said in a statement.