Nuggets
reserve feedback mixed
By Glenn
Conway
This
article was originally published in the Otago Daily Times 29 October
2004
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Kaka
Point:
Dialogue
has officially opened between the Department of Conservation
(Doc) and the public over plans to create a marine reserve
at Nugget Point, off the South Otago coast.
The first day of a two-day public forum at the Kaka Point
Surf Lifesaving Club |
 |
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yesterday attracted a steady flow of interested locals.
Many were recreational fishermen opposed to the proposal,
as well as local residents keen to find out more about the
concept. |
Doc marine ranger Lesley Douglas said it was vital to start collecting
public feedback on the idea, which was first raised in the mid-1980s
but shelved 12 years ago.
A series of meetings,
forums and one-on-one chats are being staged over the next few
months. Ms Douglas expects Doc will decide by March if it will
re-lodge its application.
There was obviously
mixed feelings about the proposal, but she believed many of the
perceived fears and doubts were due to misinformation, which could
be allayed during the consultation period.
One of the biggest
misconceptions about a marine reserve was that fishermen were
not allowed to travel through the zone with fish they had caught
outside the boundaries.
Recreational fisherman
Kevin Corbett said he and others were not convinced there would
be any benefits. Despite being reassured over access issues, Mr
Corbett is still "dead against" a marine reserve, saying fishermen
should have the right to fish wherever they choose.
There were also serious
safety concerns that had not been addressed properly, he said.
Ms Douglas said there
seemed to be a general shift towards supporting the proposal as
opposed to the strong opposition in the 1990s.
While Doc might decide
within the next five months on lodging a fresh application, she
said it could take much longer before any form of protection was
confirmed for the coastline.
[The graphic illustration
of the proposed Nugget Point marine reserve published on Wednesday
was designed to show readers the general area in which the reserve
could be sited. It was representational only and in no way specific.
Ed.]
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