Proposal To Change The Status Of
The Tawharanui Marine Park
To A Marine Reserve
Auckland Regional
Council
DISCUSSION DOCUMENT
February 2003
This document contains the unabridged
text of the Auckland Regional Council's discussion document
(in black), augmented by our comments (in blue). The submission
form has been isolated as a separate document for ease
of printing. The A4 map referred to as Figure
1 is also available, and figure
2 has been simplified and placed inside the text, for
ease of reference. Underwater photographs have been added
to show what the best of the marine environment looks like. |
Summary
The Tawharanui Marine Park was established in 1981 by the then Auckland
Regional Authority using provisions from both the Fisheries Regulations
and the Harbours Act 1950. The Fisheries Regulations that apply to the
Marine Park prohibit the taking of all marine life.
The Tawharanui Marine Park is living
proof that marine reserves with total protection can be created under the
Fisheries Act. There is no difference in degree of protection compared
to that provided by a marine reserve, and such parks should rightfully
be called marine reserves. The reason for the proposed change of state
can be explained as a waste of public money or as a mischievous plan to
place all protected areas under the inflexible and central management of
DoC.
Studies have shown that whilst some species have flourished under the marine
park regime, others have not. It is believed that illegal fishing in the
marine park may be to blame.
The Tawharanui protected area provides
tacit proof that coastal marine reserves do NOT work. Since its inception
it has performed poorly - not because of poaching but because of marine
degradation. Note the use of the word believed, since there is no
proof to substantiate this argument, even after twenty years of management
and research.
The Auckland Regional Council proposes to reclassify the Tawharanui Marine
Park as a Marine Reserve under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. This
change will mean that:
-
The existing restrictions on the taking of marine life from within the
marine park will continue to apply.
-
The boundaries of the marine reserve will undergo a minor alterations to
enable clearer identification of the boundaries of the reserve. The
area is increased by about 30%.
-
Fishing in the area subject to the boundary alterations will be prohibited.
-
Protection within the reserve will be improved due to the public’s better
understanding of what rules apply to marine reserves, and through improved
compliance and law enforcement. Why not educate about
the reserve as it now stands, and enforce the law for improved compliance?
If compliance is the problem, fix it.
Please Tell Us what You Think
In order to effect this change, the Council needs to make an application
for a marine reserve to the Director General of Conservation under
the Marine Reserves Act 1971. Prior to making this application,
the Council seeks your views on the proposal. A response form has
been incorporated. Click
here to print this form.
In order to assist the ARC in making this application please write
or complete the reply form attached and return the completed form
to the ARC. Submission deadline is now Friday 22 August 2003
In this respect, the ARC has done
too little advertising, has not called for public meetings earlier
on and has spent no time educating the public. This may conflict
with its statutory obligation of widespread consultation as the
Act demands.
Additional copies of the discussion document and reply form are available
from Auckland Regional Council (Phone 366 2000)
If you would like further information please contact Alan Moore on Phone
366 2000 ext 7058 or email alan.moore@arc.govt.nz.
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose of Document
The Tawharanui Marine Park was established in 1981 using regulations
under the Fisheries Regulations and the Harbours Act 1950. Research and
monitoring at the reserve has suggested that fish stocks have not replenished
as expected. It is thought that one of the main reasons for this is illegal
fishing. It is considered that the key contributing factors are:
i. the public’s lack of understanding of the protection afforded
to the area by the marine park status; and
ii. a lack of compliance with the prohibition on taking of marine life
and effective law enforcement.
If the above is true, then why has the ARC, assisted
by MFish, not been active in promoting understanding and enforcing compliance?
These are false reasons. Note the use of the words it is thought.
There is no proof, despite 22 years of protected status. The real reasons
are:
i. the marine park is located in a typical part
of our coast, which is by far less spectacular than Goat Island.
ii. it has a very narrow subtidal rocky shore;
no shelter; few niches; poor crayfish habitat.
iii. it is under the direct influence of the
Whangateau Harbour, whose dirty waters often foul the marine park.
iv. it has degraded considerably in the past
15 years.
v. it proves that marine reserves can no longer
work in coastal waters.
In order to overcome this, the ARC is proposing to apply to the Director
General of Conservation to change the legal status of the area from a marine
park to a marine reserve.
It appears that the ARC is taking the
easy option out of its obligation under the Biodiversity Strategy, which
demands that local and regional councils actively promote marine reserves
in their areas of jurisdiction. However, since the Biodiversity Strategy
in itself is flawed, would the ARC have the courage to do the logical thing
- do nothing?
The purpose of the discussion document is to seek comment from selected
individuals and groups on this proposal. These comments will be used to
amend the proposal. The revised proposal will then be put to the Director
General of Conservation as an application for a marine reserve under the
Marine Reserves Act 1971.
An outline of the process for considering applications for marine reserves
is included as Appendix 1. [See the process
document]
2.0 TAWHARANUI MARINE PARK
2.1 Location
Tawharanui Marine Park is located on the northern side of the Tawharanui
Peninsula which separates Omaha Bay from Kawau Bay and is approximately
90km north of Auckland City (Figure 1).
The marine park abuts and complements Tawharanui Regional Park,
which is managed by the Auckland Regional Council.
2.2 Establishment
The Auckland Regional Authority established the Tawharanui Marine Park
in 1981. The park was promulgated using regulations under the Fisheries
Regulations and the Harbours Act 1950. It was the first marine park established
under this legislative regime.
By comparison, the Goat Island marine
reserve was gazetted in 1975 but was opened in 1977. It is more senior
by 4 years.
The Fisheries Regulations were used to protect all marine life within the
park. They do so by prohibiting the taking of marine life. The Harbours
Act was used to control activities and structures. The Grant of Control
ceased to exist in 1991 with the enactment of the Resource Management Act.
After the success of the Tawharanui Marine Park a number of other marine
parks were established including Mimiwhangata Marine Park on the north-east
coast north of Whangarei and the Sugar Loaf Island Marine Park near New
Plymouth.
If it was a success, then why change
it now?
2.3 Description and Values
The Tawharanui Marine Park protects all marine life from mean high
water mark to one half a nautical mile offshore along three kilometers
of coastline. A map showing the existing boundaries of the Marine
Park is given in Figure 1.
The geology of the marine park mimics that of the adjacent Tawharanui
Regional Park. The western end of the marine park is characterised by exposed
beaches overlying greywacke bedrock. Low unmodified dunes back the beaches.
The dunes are colonised by a typical array of sand dune plant species including
pingao, a regionally rare native sand sedge. This area is also a nesting
site for the rare New Zealand dotterel, the threatened variable oystercatcher,
and pipits.
The beaches support populations of a fauna typical of exposed beaches,
tuatua bed occur near the lower tide mark and scallop beds are found in
deeper offshore areas. The beaches are broken by two rocky reef areas referred
to as “Comets Rocks” and “Phoenix Reef”. These reefs hold numerous rock
pools which support a range of inter-tidal organisms.
It is sad that the above statement has
not been verified before going to print. Please point out where these shellfish
beds are still present today.
To the east of the beach area, the inter-tidal platform becomes more extensive,
and unstable boulder beaches occur. Caves and archways feature on this
part of the coast. An interesting feature of the park is that the greywacke
bedrock contains an abundance of marine fossil deposits (Sporli and Grant-Mackie
1976).
This rocky area is characterised by inter-tidal and sub-tidal reef communities
typical of exposed northland environments. Forty species of fish have been
recorded within the marine park, including eagle ray, yellow moray eel,
longsnout pipefish, red banded perch, butterfly perch, kingfish, silver
drummer, blue maomao, banded wrasse, leather jacket and red moki. A summary
of the fish species observed in the marine park is given in Table 1. Crayfish
(spiny lobster) are common in rocky areas and cetaceans, in particular
dolphins, are commonly observed within the park.
The last time that an underwater survey
was carried out, is a long time ago. Since then the underwater environment
has deteriorated substantially. For instance, crayfish are no longer common
here. In 1998 about 85% of all crayfish walked out of the Goat Island marine
reserve after a prolonged period of mud storms. It was not noticed by scientists.
The same may have happened here. Last survey date is 1996.
Table 1: Fish
species of the Tawharanui Peninsula
KEY: A= abundant (seen
in schools) C= common (seen in small numbers)
F= frequent (often
seen singly or in pairs) O= occasional R= rare (not often seen)
Short-tailed stingray |
F |
Two spot demoiselle |
R |
Oblique swimming triplefin |
F |
Graham’s gudgeon |
R |
Long -tailed stingray |
R |
Trevally |
C |
Marblefish |
F |
Crested blenny |
F |
Eagle ray |
F |
English mackerel |
R |
Red moki |
F |
Mimic blenny |
F |
Yellow moray |
O |
Jack mackerel |
F |
Porae |
F |
Black goby |
R |
Northern conger eel |
F |
Kahawai |
C |
Yellow-eyed mullet |
R |
Blue cod |
F |
Rock cod |
F |
Snapper |
C |
Grey mullet |
R |
Leather jacket |
F |
Piper |
F |
Red mullet |
A |
Spotty |
A |
Porcupine fish |
R |
Slender roughy |
F |
Bartailed goatfish |
R |
Banded wrasse |
F |
Anchovy |
O |
Common roughy |
F |
Bigeye |
A |
Scarlet wrasse |
O |
Pilchard |
R |
John dory |
F |
Parore |
F |
Hiwihiwi |
F |
Scorpionfish |
F |
Longsnout pipefish |
F |
Silver drummer |
C |
Yaldwyns triplefin |
F |
Crested weedfish |
R |
Red banded perch |
O |
Sweep |
A |
Mottled triplefin |
F |
Spotted stargazer |
R |
Butterfly perch |
C |
Blue maomao |
C |
Spectacled triplefin |
F |
Butterfish |
R |
Koheru |
C |
Kingfish |
C |
Blue-eyed triplefin |
F |
|
|
The common roughy belongs to cooler waters,
and is not found here. Some species on this list can no longer be found
or have become rare. It is notable that butterfish are rare here, despite
an abundance of their food, the stalked kelp. The images below, provided
by us, were taken at the eastern boundary where the environment is least
degraded, because of the waves washing it and currents preventing mud from
settling out.
f033401: Many invertebrate species such as bryozoa
have disappeared, as well as sponges. Here the rock is covered
in purple coloured pink paint (an encrusting coralline
alga), in two places by the orange carpet sponge Crella
incrustans. In the top left a salmon coloured colony of
invasive matting seasquirts has grown over the red carpet
sponge. In the centre a sea cucumber, which mops up the sticky
dust seen here as olive coloured dirt. This is one of the
best places on the rock. |
f033403: A similar situation as on left, but
here the sticky dust has settled over red algae and sponges.
The red blobs in the foreground are opportunistic seasquirts,
characteristic of degradation, like the salmon coloured seasquirt
mats in the previous photo.
On sheltered vertical walls the colourful mosaic
of invertebrate life has disappeared. Only in the presence
of the washing movement from waves and scouring from sand,
does one find it. |
f033413: near the sandy bottom which cleans
this rock by scouring it, grows the hardiest of all sponges,
the grey massive sponge Ancorina alata, framed by a
stand of stalked kelp. It is an idyllic scene for the
untrained eye. But the kelp is all of same age, indicating
mass mortality in the recent past and the sponge is covered
in smothering algae and mud (see photo on right). |
f033415: This is an enlargement of the bottom
left corner of the previous photo. Electronic strobe light
livens the original colours. It shows how the living world
is covered in olive-coloured sticky dust. The hardy grey sponge
is covered in a smothering mat of green algae and mud. The
whitish patch shows the beginning of rot. This is at the reserve's
best site. |
f033409: near the sandy bottom, deep swell may
cover flat rocks in sand, which gives rise to sponge gardens
as seen here. Such places are now hard to find inside the
reserve. This picture shows a regrowth of various colourful
sponges, while goatfish find a resting place in between. |
f033506: Where the stalked kelp degrades, it
loses its defence against being grown upon. Its leaves and
stalk become slimy while bacteria do their decomposing. Pink
mats of fast growing bryozoa cover it, while taking all sunlight
away. From here on the end comes quickly. |
2.4 Relationship with Tawharanui Regional Park
The Tawharanui Regional Park (588ha) is owned and managed by the Auckland
Regional Council. The Regional Council has committed to manage the regional
park as a “Mainland Island”. This involves the removal of all exotic pests
– rats, hedgehogs, ferrets, stoats, weasels and possums, and the establishment
of a predator proof fence to stop recolonisation. This purpose of the mainland
island is to manage the area in a predator free state, thereby enabling
the re-establishment of populations of endangered species, currently largely
confined to predator free offshore islands.
The change in status from marine park to a marine reserve will complement
this management regime by creating an area of minimal intervention both
above and below mean high water springs. The Tawharanui Peninsular will
become one of a few areas in New Zealand where both the mainland and the
adjacent marine area are managed in as close to a “pre-human” situation
as is possible.
The marine area has already for 22 years
been a no-intervention area. The pre-human dream is just that, a dream.
The peninsula has been modified into farmland, its natural forests burnt
and its top soils lost. It will take many hundreds of years to regenerate.
By contrast, the sea takes only a few decades to recover from the ill effects
of fishing. Yet this has not happened, even after two decades. When will
the ARC wake up to the fact that it will never happen? When will they realise
that the health of the marine environment is deteriorating year by year?
Integrated land-sea management is a myth.
2.5 Visitors
Tawharanui Regional Park is very popular, with visitor numbers of around
160,000 per year. Of these approximately 65% come from the Auckland urban
area (Auckland Regional Council and National Research Bureau 2000). Walking
and beach related pursuits, including surfing, are the most common activities.
The park offers excellent diving and snorkelling experiences. Fishing is
provided for outside the marine park on the eastern tip and south coast
of the Tawharanui Peninsula. Surfcasters also use the western edge of Ocean
Beach.
Visit the park on any day, and one sees
nobody
snorkelling or diving there, partly because access to the most interesting
places is poor, but mainly because the sea is not as interesting as near
Goat Island. Be aware that snorkeldivers do not see environmental deterioration
because they move in a zone cleaned by wave wash.
2.6 Education
The marine park forms part of the education and interpretation programme
for the Tawharanui Regional Park. An ecology trail for the park incorporates
both terrestrial and marine components. An interpretive display within
the Regional Park buildings promotes the conservation of marine life. Park
Rangers also take visitors for guided walks and include discussion of the
marine park.
Education is aimed at the terrestrial
environment.
2.7 Scientific Investigations
The area of the Tawharanui Marine Park has been subject to significant
biological monitoring. Monitoring commenced prior to the establishment
of the marine park in 1977 and was continued annually until 1983 (Grace,
1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982,1983). Monitoring was also undertaken
in 1989, 1991 1994, and 1996 (Grace 1989, 1991, Marine and Environmental
Research 1994, Nuthall and Russell 1996). A study of spiny lobster movement
within the marine park has also been undertaken (Kelly 1996).
Monitoring has demonstrated that there has been a dramatic increase
in the number and size of spiny lobster. Kina density also appears to have
increased. There has, however, been little change in fish numbers since
1977. Although in 1996 red moki numbers were three times more common inside
the marine park than outside, there has been a general decline in red moki
numbers inside the marine park and a lack of large fish despite nearly
twenty years of protection. Since red moki are highly territorial, this
suggests the impacts of fishing pressure or other external environmental
changes have not enabled the population to increase. An alternative theory,
which is not highly supported, is that that moki are migrating outside
the marine park.
Indeed the first impression of diving
in the Tawharanui marine park is "Where are the fish?". With its 3km coast
as opposed to 5km for Goat Island, the influence of fishing outside is
felt into the middle of the reserve. This won't change with the new boundaries.
The eastern boundary runs across a contiguous rocky habitat, promoting
the spilling out of fish. But red moki stay resident and they are not fished
either. These fish need a sheltered cave or 'moki hole', of which there
are none or very few inside the park. Moki feed by sucking hard at coralline
turf to catch tiny invertebrates living inside the protection of this hardy
alga. This habitat is scarce inside the park. Today the park is grossly
polluted by muddy sediment, which is directly or indirectly harmful to
most other organisms, including crayfish and their food.
3.0. TAWHARANUI MARINE RESERVE PROPOSAL
3.1 Marine Reserves
Marine reserves are areas of foreshore and sea that have been set aside
under the Marine Reserves Act 1971 to preserve habitats in their natural
state.
Section 3(1) of the Act states that marine reserves are established:
“.. for the purpose of preserving, as marine reserves for the
scientific study of marine life, areas of New Zealand that contain underwater
scenery, natural features, or marine life, of such distinctive quality,
or so typical, or beautiful, or unique, that their continued preservation
is in the national interest.”
In addition to the main purpose of preserving areas in their natural state
for scientific study, a number of other benefits accrue from marine reserve
status. These include the recognition and protection of marine habitats
and organisms for their intrinsic worth, educational opportunities, new
opportunities for recreation and tourism, potential refuge, feeding and
nursery areas for fish and other organisms and potential “yard sticks”
for assessing the impacts or management of adjacent terrestrial and marine
resources.
This marine reserve is of little use
to the protection of habitat, since it degrades from year to year. It will
never attain a natural state. It is unsustainable. It has little value
for education because of poor access to the sea and little value of interest.
Schools camping here come to Goat Island for their education and snorkelling
experience. Tourism has not developed in 22 years and will be unlikely
to benefit ever. As a potential refuge, feeding and nursery area, this
reserve has no proven value. Neither will it be of value as a yardstick
to measure outside fishing pressure by. Research has shown that crayfish
and snapper are more abundant inside but what does that mean to fisheries
management? Scientists have not recorded the massive loss in sessile filterfeeders
like sponges and bryozoa. The main importance of this marine reserve lies
in its value for showing that coastal marine reserves don't work.
The Marine Reserves Act is administered by the Department of Conservation.
The Department has a mandate to conserve and protect the natural resources
of New Zealand, and in accordance with this, a network of marine reserves
continues to be established in suitable areas around the country. There
are currently sixteen marine reserves as of February 2003.
The network idea of marine reserves is
a fallacy, lacking proof. It lives only in the minds of protagonists. Of
the sixteen marine reserves created so far, twelve are deteriorating badly.
They are unsustainable, like this one. The whole network is unsustainable.
Within the larger Auckland area, there are three marine reserves. These
are the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve (commonly referred
to as the Leigh Marine Reserve), the Long Bay – Okura Marine Reserve, and
the Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve. A fourth area is the subject
of an application – Te Matuku Bay at Waiheke Island. The Department of
Conservation has significant experience in managing marine reserves, and
has staff and resources dedicated to this task.
There is before a Select Committee, the new Marine Reserves Bill.
This Bill has as its purpose:
…to conserve indigenous marine biodiversity in New Zealand’s
foreshore, internal waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone
for current and future generations, by preserving and protecting within
marine reserves –
(a) representative examples of the full range of marine communities and
ecosystems that are common or widespread; and
(b) outstanding, rare, distinctive or internationally or nationally
important marine communities and ecosystems; and
(c) natural features that are part of the biological and physical processes
of the marine communities and ecosystems referred to in paragraphs (a)
and 9b), in particular those natural features that are outstanding, rare,
unique, beautiful, or important.
Marine biodiversity is about viable populations
of all species. It does not mean that these should not be exploited, since
unexploited populations do not exist in nature. Although not applicable
to Tawharanui, New Zealanders are more and more demanding a flexible manner
of management for protected areas, which acknowledges the importance of
sustenance fishing. The Marine Reserves Act does not provide for such flexibility
and the method of local or co-management has explicitly been excluded from
the Bill. The MRA is out of date and its logical destination is the trash
bin.
Note that it is not difficult to meet the criteria
for a marine reserve. Read the clauses above carefully. Together they mean
'any bit of the sea'.
3.2 Rationale for the proposed change in status
Currently there are a number of marine parks in existence. Each of
these marine parks has its own protection regime.
The Tawharanui Marine Park is a “no take” marine park, similar to a
marine reserve. The Mimiwhangata Marine Park principally protects reef
fish species, and does not protect benthic organisms such as spiny lobster
and green lipped mussels. Line fishing is allowed at the Mimiwhangata Marine
Park provided non-weighted lines are used. At the other extreme, the recently
established Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act which establishes the Hauraki
Gulf Marine Park contains no specific protection mechanisms.
The Tawharanui Marine Park is effectively
a marine reserve and should be called as such. It has created much confusion
doing otherwise. The Mimiwhangata Marine Park has never been managed or
policed, yet the marine life there does not differ significantly from that
at Tawharanui, if the difference in habitat type is taken into account.
The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is just a discussion and management forum.
Given the range in level of protection afforded by various marine parks
it is likely that people are confused as to what level of protection Tawharanui
Marine Park affords.
Just calling it a marine reserve rather
than park, would have taken all confusion away. What is wrong with that?
The term marine reserve relates to no-take protection; not to the Act under
which it operates.
In order for the Tawharanui Marine Park to be successful, people must exhibit
different behaviours inside the park compared to outside. As the sea contains
no clearly definable boundaries that can be relied upon, the boundaries
of the park must be clear. The northern boundary of the park, near Takatu
Point, is clearly marked by twin triangular in-line special marks. Similar
markers at the southern boundary near Pukenihinihi Point are poorly positioned
and are difficult to see from the water. The seaward boundary of the marine
park is set at 0.5 nautical miles from mean high water mark. This boundary
undulates in and out with the coast and, without the aid of expensive navigation
equipment, is very difficult to identify. The public must be able to clearly
identify the boundaries of the marine park in order to change their behaviour.
Boundaries should be clear not only to
people but also to the marine life which is unaware of maps and straight
lines. Boundaries must include buffer zones such that fishing the line
or even slightly inside it, does not compromise the integrity of the reserve.
The 0.5nm seaward boundary lies well out from the subtidal rocky reef,
covering a monotonous sandy sea bottom. Whether it is fished at 0.5nm or
0.4nm does not affect the integrity of the reserve. People can easily gauge
this distance. It is wrong to believe that the uncertainty of the seaward
boundary has hindered the recovery of this reserve to its natural state.
There is no proof either. Why has the seaward boundary never been marked
with buoys as has been done for the Long Bay reserve?
Given that the level of protection afforded to the Tawharanui Marine Park
is similar to that of a marine reserve, and that people in the Region are
well conversed with rules associated with a marine reserve, it is considered
beneficial to change the status of the area from a marine park to a marine
reserve. In making this change, it is opportune to re-adjust the boundaries
to simplify them for the public.
Instead of the word similar, use
identical.
A status change will not achieve any of the above.
3.3 Consultation
Tawharanui Marine Park has been in place for almost 22 years and has
been widely accepted. The park management plan has been reviewed twice
since then and there has been general support with no objections to the
protection status (“no take”) of the marine park area. The respondents
to a questionnaire in 1998, which sought comment on issues for the new
draft management plan due in 2000, supported the upgrading of the marine
park to a marine reserve (Auckland Regional Council & National Research
Bureau 2000).
Just watch the reactions at public meetings
which are now being called for.
In 1995/ 1996 the ARC consulted with a variety of parties over the proposed
change in status. The following is a summary of the outcome of this consultation:
CONSULTATION ON
THE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE TAWHARANUI MARINE PARK TO A MARINE RESERVE
Organisation |
Support/
Oppose |
Reason |
Rodney District Council |
Support |
- |
Ministry of Fisheries |
Support |
Reduce public confusion |
NZ Fishing Industry Board |
Support |
Area is properly established,
and managed as a no-take marine reserve, with adequate compliance/law enforcement |
Ngatiwai Trust Board |
- |
Co-management, retention
of customary fishing rights |
Kawerau A Maki Trust |
Oppose |
Prefer rahui, mataitai or
taiapure reserve. Wish to continue to exercise harvesting rights |
Leigh Fisherman’s Association |
Oppose |
Do not support individual
applications, wish DOC to produce a comprehensive plan for marine reserves
in the Hauraki Gulf |
3.4 Tawharanui Marine Park Meets the Test of Section 3(1) of the
Marine Reserves Act
The Tawharanui Marine Park is one of only four marine protected areas
within the Auckland Region. Extractive uses within the marine park have
been prohibited for 22 years. Only the Cape Rodney to Okakari Point (Leigh)
Marine Reserve has been in existence longer. The Tawharanui Marine Park
was the third marine protected area in New Zealand, following the Cape
Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve and the Poor Knights Islands Marine
Reserve. As discussed previously, whilst the park has not achieved all
the ecological benefits it was thought it would achieve, the ecology of
the park is significantly enhanced over the adjacent non-protected area.
Only by looking at snapper and crayfish
can one think that the park is significantly enhanced over adjacent non-protected
areas.
The value of the Tawharanui Marine Park is recognised in the Proposed Auckland
Regional Plan: Coastal which classifies the Marine Park as a Coastal Protection
Area 1. Coastal Protection Area 1 sites are afforded the highest protection
in the Proposed Plan. Coastal Protection Area 1 sites are of regional,
national or international significance and are considered vulnerable to
the adverse effects of subdivision, use and development. The proposed plan
identifies the values of the park as:
Oops, we are talking about the Marine
Park; not about the terrestrial park to which CPA1 applies.
The northern side (82b) and the tip (82a) of the peninsula are the best
examples of open rocky intertidal and subtidal marine habitats on the coast
of the Outer Hauraki Gulf. Here is found a small geological exposure of
fossils in Jurassic rocks (82c). This is a very rare occurrence in Northland
and consequently the exposure is of national importance and has been selected
by the Department of Conservation as an Area of Significant Conservation
Value (ASCV). The open sandy beaches (82b) are also important as the mobile
sands are an important New Zealand dotterel breeding area as well as being
a threatened plant habitat. The majority of this area (82b) is included
within the marine protected area associated with the Tawharanui Regional
Park.
Oops again. This is all above water.
Given the above, it is clear that the marine park meets the criteria of
Section 3(1) of the Marine Reserves Act. The marine park would also
meet the purpose of the Marine Reserves Bill, as it is currently written.
3.5 Boundary Changes
With regard to the boundaries marine park, the eastern and western
boundaries are marked by “special marks”, being red and white triangular
in-line markers. As stated in Section 3.2 some the existing boundaries
of the marine park are not well situated. The following is an account
of the proposed changes.
3.5.1 Existing Boundaries
Eastern Boundary
The existing eastern boundary, near Takatu Point, is due north from
a prominent headland, and is currently marked by two large triangles (white
and red) in-line special marks. When the triangles are aligned the boundary
line is true. The seaward is defined out to one half of a nautical mile
(972m) from mean high water (MHW )(36º21.3’s, 174º51.7’e). These
markers are well located and are easily seen from the sea.
Western Boundary
The existing western marine park boundary is 650m east of Pukenihinihi
Point and is marked by two large triangular in-line special marks located
in the sand dunes (36º21.4’s, 174º49.56’e). These markers
are not well sited, and as a consequence are not clearly visible from the
sea.
They ARE clearly visible from the sea.
Seaward Boundary
The seaward boundary is depicted by a line half a nautical mile from
Mean High Water Mark. This boundary therefore follows the convolutions
of the coast and is very difficult to follow without the aid of complex
electronic navigation equipment.
But it is easy to follow by 'eye-o-meter'.
3.5.2 Proposed Boundaries
In order to alleviate these issues it is proposed to amend the existing
boundaries.
Eastern Boundary No change
Western Boundary It is proposed to move the western boundary
approximately 100m to the west so that it sits 550m east of Pukenihinihi
Point. This will enable the special marks to be located on the crest of
a large dune which is backed by a prominent land contour. This will allow
easier siting of the two special marks from the sea. The boundary will
extend in a true northerly direction from these marks.
There exists no problem relocating the
existing boundary to a higher dune. But dunes move. People at sea do not
work with true north but magnetic north instead.
Seaward Boundary The current seaward boundary is 0.5 nautical miles
from mean high water springs. The Department of Conservation promotes straight
line boundaries as they are easier to locate on marine charts and can be
marked with buoys. It is therefore proposed to straight line the seaward
boundary of the reserve. It is proposed to increase the length of the western
boundary from 0.5 nautical mile (920m) to 1000m, with the seaward boundary
extending in a true East - West direction. This will extend the length
of the eastern boundary to 1.1 km. The resultant seaward boundary will
be approximately 3.72 km long.
Any contour can be marked with buoys.
DoC does not have a good record in marking boundaries. For instance the
outer boundary of the Goat Island marine reserve has never been marked.
It runs at an inconvenient 800m from the shore rather than 0.5nm. The proposed
boundaries extend the protected area by about 30%. Why is this not mentioned
here? Will the ARC please mention whether the new boundary will be marked
with buoys? If not, does it mean that fishing is permitted only for those
having GPS instruments on their dinghies?
Most importantly, these boundaries can easily
be changed today under the Fisheries Act, in fact much more easily than
under the MRA. Why is this not proposed as one of the options?
A map showing the proposed marine reserve boundaries is given in Figure
2.
3.6 Monitoring/ Research
The Auckland Regional Council has to date supported research within
the Tawharanui Marine Park. The Council will continue to support research
at Tawharanui Marine Reserve by encouraging projects especially in partnership
with tertiary institutions.
3.7 Steering Committee and Compliance and Enforcement
Section 10 of the Marine Reserves Act provides for the establishment
of a Steering Committee to provide direction for the management of the
reserve. Given that the proposed marine reserve will abut the Tawharanui
Regional Park it is appropriate that a steering committee be formed to
assist with integrated management between the marine reserve and Tawharanui
Regional Park. It is therefore recommended that such a committee
be established.
Why does the Goat Island marine reserve
not have a steering committee? What marine reserves need is local management,
with the marine reserve's budget. Steering committees are just feel-good
talk forums - a waste of effort.
4.0 WHAT DO THE CHANGES MEAN TO THE PUBLIC
In terms of the public, the proposed change from a marine park to a
marine reserve will have little effect. Similar rules will apply to that
part of the marine reserve which is currently within the marine park boundaries.
The main effects will result from the adjustments to the western and
seaward boundaries, and the resultant incorporation of a section of sea
not currently subject to the marine park protection. People will no longer
be able to harvest marine life from the newly incorporated area. However,
as the area is relatively small it is considered that this change is not
significant.
The proposed realignment of the boundaries will enable people to clearly
identify the boundaries of the marine reserve and provide the public with
greater certainty.
The public and the reserve will also benefit from improved compliance
and law enforcement, thereby ensuring the purpose of the marine reserve
is better achieved.
Where is chapter 5?
6.0 MINISTER OF CONSERVATION’S EVALUATION CRITERIA
In evaluating a marine reserve application, the Minister of Conservation
is required by Section 5(6)(a) to (e) of the Marine Reserves Act to consider
the following:
(a) Interfere unduly with any estate or interest in land in or adjoining
the proposed marine reserve;
(b) Interfere unduly with any existing rights of navigation;
(c) Interfere unduly with commercial fishing;
(d) Interfere unduly with or adversely affect any existing usage of
the area for recreational purposes;
(e) Otherwise be contrary to the public interest
The following responses are made with respect to these matters:
(a) The proposed marine reserve abuts the Tawharanui Regional Park which
is owned and managed by the ARC. There is no private land adjoining the
proposed Marine Reserve. The ARC has consulted the adjacent land owner
who has indicated support for the proposal.
(b) The proposed marine reserve is largely based on the Tawharanui Marine
Park with the exceptions of a small westward movement of the western boundary
and the seaward movement of the seaward boundary. The area surrounding
the proposed reserve is open coast with no designated or recognised navigation
routes. The proposed classification does not restrict navigation through
the reserve. It is concluded that it will not have any effect on navigation.
(c) All marine life within the Tawharanui Marine Park is protected under
the Fisheries Regulations. Accordingly it is unlawful to undertake commercial,
recreational or traditional fishing activities within its bounds. The proposed
change in status of the area to a marine reserve will not affect any commercial
activity with the area that was occupied by the Park.
So what is the point of the whole
exercise? Is this proposal intended to mask inept management? Is it an
easy way out of ARC's obligation under the Biodiversity Strategy?
Of issue however, is the effect of the boundary adjustments proposed in
the application. The area proposed to be incorporated is the reserve
that is west and seaward of the existing marine park will result in commercial
fishing activities being prohibited from this area. The boundary adjustments
are minor, and it is considered that the effect is not undue. It is also
considered that the any adverse effects are off-set by the benefits of
having more clearly defined reserve boundaries.
(d) The proposed marine reserve does not restrict recreational activities
apart from extractive uses such as recreational fishing.
As with the commercial fishing, the proposed marine reserve will not
change or alter the recreational activities able to be undertaken within
the area of the existing Tawharanui Marine Park. The proposed boundary
adjustments will however prohibit recreational fishing from the newly incorporated
area.
In proposing the new western boundary, it has been located such that
recreational fishing can be undertaken on a small section of beach between
the boundary and Pukenihinihi Point. This avoids the need for people to
use private land to access fishing areas at high tide.
This section has been reduced considerably
by the boundary change (see map).
In terms of the seaward boundary, this will displace recreational fishers
between 100m and 300m seaward. There will remain significant areas
of Omaha Bay available for recreation fishing in water of a similar level
of exposure. It is therefore concluded that the proposed reserve is unlikely
to result in any undue adverse effect on recreational fishing.
As with commercial fishers, recreational fishers will benefits from
more clearly defined boundaries thereby having more certainty as to the
legality of their activities.
Only if the seaward boundary is also
marked with buoys, no more than 0.5nm apart. Why has this not been done
before?
(e) In terms of (e), previous consultation with Ngatiwai and the Kawerau
A Maki Trust have raised issues of traditional fishing. The current
marine park prohibits all forms of fishing, including traditional fishing.
The proposed boundary adjustments will extend this prohibition over a larger
area, however this area is not significantly greater, and the proposed
boundary changes will result in greater certainty as to the location of
the reserve boundaries. This greater certainty is a significant positive
benefit. However, it is recognised that rights under the Treaty of Waitangi
and traditional fishing will be of issue.
7.0 CONCLUSION
The proposal to change the status of the Tawharanui Marine Park to a
marine reserve will in itself cause little effect on users of the area
as the rules of the existing marine park are similar to those of a marine
reserve.
In applying for the marine reserve classification the opportunity has
been taken to rationalise the boundaries of the proposal. The resiting
of the western boundary and the straight-lining of the seaward boundary
results in a slight increase in the area of the reserve. It is considered
that this increase in area is not significant and will not result in the
failure of the proposal to pass the test of Section 5(6)(a) to (e) of the
Marine Reserves Act.
Our advice
-
What makes the Tawharanui marine reserve unique is
that it is NOT managed by DoC. Retain this uniqueness.
-
Although a status change does no harm, it does no
good either. It renders control to a centrally led bureaucratic department
which is driven by ideology rather than pragmatism. Stop the process now.
-
Give total control to the local community of fishermen,
divers and other LOCAL stakeholders. The reserve becomes their baby and
compliance becomes a reality.
-
Give them the entire budget too.
-
Listen to their advice re boundaries, marking and
so on and support it.
-
Focus on reducing soil loss from the Whangateau catchment
area.
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References
Auckland Regional Council, 1992. Tawharanui Management
Plan. ARC Parks Service.
Auckland Regional Council & National Research Bureau,
2000. Auckland Regional Parks: Park Users Satisfaction Study, January
2000
Department of Conservation, 1994. Marine Reserves,
A Guide for Prospective Applicants.
Department of Conservation and Ministry of the Environment,
2000. The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy: “Our Chance to Turn
the Tide” Whakakohukihukitia Te Tai Roroku Ki Te Tai Oranga, February 2000
Grace, R. V. 1978. Tawharanui marine monitoring
programme. Report on first year. Unpublished report prepared for
the Auckland Regional Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1979. Tawharanui marine monitoring
programme. Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1980. Tawharanui marine monitoring programme.
Report on progress. Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional
Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1981. Tawharanui marine monitoring programme.
Report on progress. Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional
Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1982. Tawharanui marine monitoring programme.
Report on progress. Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional
Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1983. Tawharanui marine monitoring programme.
Report on progress. Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional
Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1989. Tawharanui marine report.
Unpublished report prepared for the Auckland Regional Authority.
Grace, R. V. 1991. Tawharanui marine report. Unpublished
report prepared for the Auckland Regional Council.
Kelly, S. 1996. Lobster movement within the
Tawharanui marine park. File 8/1/1/7, Auckland Regional Council.
5pp.
Kelly, S. 1998a. Tawharanui Marine Monitoring
programme: Part I: A review and critique of methodologies and
results. Report prepared by Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd for the
Auckland Regional Council.
Kelly, S. 1998b. Tawharanui Marine Monitoring
programme: Part II: Proposed changes to the existing scheme.
Report prepared by Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd for the Auckland Regional
Council.
Marine Environmental Research, 1994. Tawharanui
Marine Monitoring Programme. Report on progress 1994. Unpublished
report for the Auckland Regional Council. 30pp.
Nuthall, S. & Russell, A. 1996. Tawharanui Regional
Park Marine Survey. Unpublished report for the Auckland Regional Council.
30pp.
Sporli, K. B. & Grant-Mackie. 1976. Upper
Jurassic fossils from the Waipapa Group of Tawharanui peninsula, north
Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics
19(1) 21-34.
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