New reserve great news for marine life

12 April 2007 - Wellington

Contact: Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles, 04 801 2210, 021 426 984

The announcement of a new marine reserve off the Taranaki coast is fantastic news for marine life, Forest & Bird says.

Establishment of the Tapuae Marine Reserve, which will protect 1426 hectares of coastal waters near New Plymouth, was announced by Conservation Minister Chris Carter today.

Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Kirstie Knowles said Forest & Bird and the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society have been advocating for the establishment of the reserve for many years and were delighted that their efforts have finally paid off.

“This is a huge gain for marine conservation.  Protection of marine biodiversity must take account of the whole marine ecosystem from the sea surface to the seabed, which this reserve will rightly do”.

Kirstie Knowles says everyone – including fishers – win with the establishment of marine reserves, as they safeguard the future of a healthy marine environment.

“Given the opportunity, marine reserves can help restore fish populations, attract recreational visitors and provide for scientific research and education," Kirstie Knowles says.

The Tapuae reserve is the 17th marine reserve to be established since 2003, but still less than 1% of New Zealand’s coastal waters are protected.  Forest & Bird would like to see a comprehensive network of marine reserves to protect a range of important marine environments and species.

“Tapuae is a great step, but we would also like to see the Government meet its target of protecting 10% of our coastal waters in reserves by 2010.  Then we can really celebrate,” Kirstie Knowles says.

For more information on Forest & Bird’s marine reserve campaign go to: www.forestandbird.org.nz/Marine/reserves.asp