The announcement that New Zealand Underwater is proposing a marine reserve for the waters surrounding the end of the Hauraki Gulf's Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Tiritiri Matangi Island has brought an angry response from recreational anglers.

The draft proposal, released for public discussion just prior to Christmas day, suggests three options, the largest of which includes the end-third of the peninsula (including Army Bay), the Tiri Channel, Tiri Island and the waters beyond. Included in this area are Wellington Reef and Shag and Shearers rocks. This document is an early stage of the process, and is produced before application is made to the Minister of Conservation for a marine reserve.

The anger generated by the proposals is understandable when it is considered that this is one of the most popular and productive fishing regions in the Hauraki Gulf. The shape of the peninsula and the provision of boat ramps on both sides make it extremely popular with owners of small boats and dinghies, as sheltered water can be fished in most conditions. Rock and beach fishermen also favour the area, especially east of Army Bay.

The inshore Hauraki Gulf region is already well served with marine reserves at Goat Island/Leigh, Tawharanui, Long Bay and Pollen Island. A further reserve awaits approval at Waiheke Island. In addition, the proposed area butts up to the huge Telecom cable zone, in which fishing and anchoring is not permitted. The cable zone, and the adjoining disused explosives dumping ground already establish a massive de facto marine reserve. Other no-fishing zones are the submarine cable zone from Kawau Island to the mainland and the naval degaussing strip SE of Whangaparaoa.

In total, these zones exceed the 10% marine protected area that the Government and Department of Conservation seem intent on. This area is equivalent to having a two kilometre wide marine reserve running along the entire coastline from Takapuna Beach to Cape Rodney! No wonder Hauraki Gulf recreational fishermen feel put upon. The Gulf has the highest density of anglers in the country, and also the most closed waters.

Anger has also been generated by the way in which the proposal has progressed. The marine reserve process calls for 'initial consultation with interest and user groups' - certainly none of the boating or fishing organisations or individuals, probably the largest and certainly most effected group in the region seem to have been contacted prior to the release of the proposal. The proposal, when finally released to the public, was quietly slipped out just before Christmas and the public response period is largely eaten up by the 'silly season' and the holiday break, when many are away on holiday or otherwise occupied.

The process also calls for a proposal to be abandoned if there is 'overwhelming adverse public reaction'. NZ Underwater have refused to quantify this, but certainly the large public meeting held at Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa last Thursday was unanimously opposed to the reserve. These were nearly all local residents, and it is they who will be most effected. Mayor John Laws spoke against the proposal, as did the chairperson of the council's Environmental Committee. It appears that local Iwi are not too happy with the proposals, and the coastguard and the local Hibiscus Sea Rescue trust hold fears that forcing small boat anglers out into exposed waters with cost lives and greatly increase the number of rescues required.

Anglers also wonder at the motives of those proposing the marine reserve. The fishing is as good as it has ever been in the region, and anglers target mostly snapper, with some kingfish, kahawai and trevally – all pelagic or semi-pelagic fish which come and go from the area. If depletion of shellfish is a problem, then the fisheries regulations can handle such an issue easily by closing this fishery. Just what is this reserve trying to protect that is at risk?

Copies of the reserve proposal are available from the NZ Underwater Association, P.O. Box 875 Auckland, Ph 09-623 3252 Fax 09-623 3523. Email nzu@nzunderwater.org.nz
Website www.nzunderwater.org.nz

A number of groups have been spontaneously set up to make sure the voice of the recreational angler is heard on this matter. One is the Tiritiri Matangi Marine Reserve Action Committee. They Can be reached at Ph/Fax HBC 09-427 9989 or Fax Auck 09-624 2128, P.O. Box 600 Whangaparaoa.

Forms for comment on the proposal may be obtained from either organisation, and it is hoped to make them available also through tackle and dive shops, and boating and fishing clubs in the region. Send replies before Friday, February 28, 2003.