Nugget Point Jan 2005

This article was originally published in the Otago Daily Times 8 January 2005

With detractors and supporters squaring off over the proposed Nugget Point Marine Reserve, Otago Daily Times reporter MIKE SCOTT takes a look at the issue.
IT IS hard to see, but seething beneath the waves around New Zealand is a broad diversity of life.

   
The fish, mammals, birds, shellfish, coral, crustaceans, plants living in the oceans make up about one third of New Zealand's total number of described indigenous species.

Life in our seas is so diverse and unexplored that, on average, seven marine species are discovered each fortnight. Marine scientists estimate as much as 80% of the country's indigenous biodiversity will ultimately be found in and on the sea.

But such life is vulnerable. Pollution from land, sedimentation, deep-sea trawling, over-fishing of inshore and offshore fisheries, mineral and gas extraction all impact on marine habitats and the species living there.

Environmental groups claim deep-water species are being extinguished before being recorded.

According to the Government's Biodiversity Strategy the plan to insure the existence of the country's plethora of flora and fauna on both land and water New Zealanders do not appreciate the diversity found in marine ecosystems and the threats to it.

It claims: "People have perceived the ocean to be uniform and limitless in its capacity to provide food and absorb waste."

To remedy the situation, the Government plans, by 2010, to protect 10% of New Zealand's Economic Exclusion Zone, the area of sea stretching 370km from the coast. It is the fourth largest marine zone in the world.

A major part of the remedy is to create marine reserves aimed at guarding habitats from fishing, pollution and other forms of exploitation.

Much like land-based national parks, people can experience and play in the protected marine zones, but no one can take from them or degrade the environment.

With such protection it is anticipated fish, shellfish, seaweed and other marine species would flourish and decaying areas recover.

The Department of Conservation is charged with caring for and managing marine reserves.

"Where a marine reserve can help is taking away any other human pressure that's optional in that location," Department of Conservation Marine Unit manager Felicity Wong said.

"In a way, I think it's an insurance. People want to be sure that some parts of the natural environment are protected from human pressure."

In New Zealand's territorial waters, which stretch almost 20km from the coastline, 19 marine reserves have been established, protecting 7% of the area.

However, take away two large reserves centred on the Kermadec and Auckland Islands, and only a 0.1% of the mainland coast is protected.

It sharply contrasts with the eight million hectares, or more than a third of the country's terrain, placed in parks or reserve.

"The area protected around mainland New Zealand is equivalent in area to only two thirds of New Zealand's smallest national park on land [Abel Tasman]," Ms Wong said.

"There's a relatively tiny area protected and the idea is not to protect 100% or a tiny nothing, but a portion that's going to give us some certainty that we are putting aside areas for protection."

Yet with all the good intention, opposition to marine reserves exists.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter, who likens the marine reserves to a modest national park system, fears Doc may have to wage a battle similar to the fight required to create the on-land national park system.

"As Conservation Minister, I am torn between a sense of hope that New Zealanders have such an interest in our seas, and a sense of frustration that the debate about protecting small parts of them is so needlessly fierce."

The main battle, however, is not about whether to have reserves or not, but their location.

"I regularly hear fishing groups say: "We support the concept of marine reserves. Just don't put them in our favourite fishing spots."

Nugget Point Recreational Fishing Club president Nelson Cross is one of those. Nugget Point is his local fishing spot.

He believes in conserving ocean life, but does not believe Nugget Point is the place for a marine reserve.

The coastline north from Taieri Mouth would be a better site, especially considering the ease of access for Dunedin people, Mr Cross said.

However, the concept of reserves allowing pockets of oceanic paradise would not eventuate either, he said.

The sea is a like a big farm that requires nurturing, rather than locking up.

"Sediment and pollution and stuff like that is causing far more harm than fishing.

"Locking up an area from fishing is not looking after the environment. I really do not think they [marine reserves] are the answer."

Promises of flourishing sea life and burgeoning fish stocks spilling into non-protected areas for fishermen to catch was hard to imagine, Mr Cross said.

"People have a pre-programmed view of what a marine reserve will deliver. If a marine reserve is put at the Nuggets, people will see absolutely nothing more than they see now."

Mr Cross believes New Zealand's current fishing regulations, and self-regulation by ethical fishers, gives enough protection to the fish and biodiversity of the marine environment. The plunder attitude of 20 years ago no longer exists.

New Zealand's first marine reserve was created at Cape Rodney-Okakari Point near Leigh, north of Auckland, in 1975.

The original idea was to have somewhere with minimal human disturbance where scientists and students could research.

Under protection, crayfish numbers increased and huge snapper swam in shallows among the bathers who were turning up armed with snorkels and scuba gear.

Other reserves such as Poor Knights Islands, Kapiti, and Piopiotahi in Milford Sound have had similar results. Most of the mainland reserves have recorded increases in either fish numbers or sizes.

The Nugget Point reserve was first mooted in the early 1990s. According to Doc coastal marine officer Jim Fyfe, 81% of people surveyed at the time wanted a marine reserve. However, they did not want it in their backyard.

Doc had considered Shag Point, Karitane, Long Beach and Sandfly Bay for the reserve but Nugget Point was most appropriate considering the merging of different water currents about the point and the variety of life found there, he said.

Mr Fyfe is adamant marines reserves are critical for the well-being of New Zealand's ocean.

"We will continue to believe that what we see on the coast is how the coast is if we do not have areas where habitats are locked in absence of human pressures.

"One of the difficult things in the marine environment is people do not get to see it very often, and fishing has occurred for well over 100 years and changes have been quite gradual. It's a lot harder for people to understand that is not how it should be.

"We've got a whole coastline where people can fish. To ask for a small area we can preserve and protect from human pressures and investigate those natural processes is not really a large ask."

Pollution from land was a major concern for Doc and the department would continue to mitigate its impact through the Resource Management Act, Mr Fyfe said.

"I think people will be surprised if a marine reserve is implemented [at Nugget Point] to see the degree to which things can change."

Dave Watson, the general manager of Dive Otago, sits in the middle of the marine reserve debate.

He shows people unique marine environments, but is acutely aware of the desires of all people using the sea.

"I guess firstly you have to think very carefully where you position marine reserves where there is less impact on recreational people. Areas offshore with less access might be more appropriate."

A good place to start would be reducing catch limits.

"Thirty blue cod a day is bloody ridiculous. There will come a point when fishing clubs will have to set their own limits. They should listen to people at the coal face. That's what they don't do."

Mr Watson said an increasing knowledge of the oceans would help the situation. Consistent monitoring of species was happening and positive, he said.

"For so long we've done that on land with birds that are endangered."

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