New Zealand is home to over 30 marine reserves, many of which Forest & Bird’s worked hard to establish. Below are some of the milestones in our 'I Love Marine Reserves Campaign'
I Love Marine Reserves campaign
In 2001 Forest & Bird launched the I Love Marine Reserves campaign at Leigh Marine Reserve north of Auckland to encourage the Government and fishing industry to better protect our marine environment. During the next two years thousands of people, including naturalist David Bellamy, signed campaign banners to show their support for more marine reserves.
The banners were presented to Helen Clark at World Oceans Day in 2001, and again in 2003 to Local Government and Environment Select Committee Chairwoman Jeanette Fitzsimons and members of the select committee on the steps of Parliament. Since this campaign was launched, a number of marine reserves have been established, many of them campaigned for by Forest & Bird. Some recent successes include:
2008 Taputeranga Marine Reserve
Wellington
One of our most recent successes was the establishment of Taputeranga Marine Reserve off Wellington’s south coast in 2008, after 17 years of campaigning by Forest & Bird & the South Coast Marine Reserve Coalition.
The new marine reserve, covering 840 hectares and a variety of marine habitats, including rocky reefs and kelp forests, and is a haven for marine species including seahorses, colourful sea slugs (nudibranchs), spotted shags and reef herons.
In October 2007, Forest & Bird co-ordinated the world’s first Marine Bioblitz within the boundaries of the then proposed reserve. The local community and scientists found more than 600 species within just one month, including eight species new to science.
Spectacular marine wildlife recorded in the area includes royal albatrosses, common dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, orca and southern right whales.
For more information visit: DOC
2008 Tapuae Marine Reserve
New Plymouth
The creation of Tapuae Marine Reserve off the Taranaki coast was announced in April 2007 and the reserve was established in 2008.
Protecting about 1426 hectares of coastal waters near New Plymouth, Tapuae Marine Reserve is located right next to New Plymouth’s city centre, allowing easy public access. Fur seals, butterfish, snapper, sea cucumbers and all variety of sponges and sea squirts can be found in this area.
Together with the Paraninihi Marine Reserve (established in 2006) and the Nga Motu/Sugar Loaf Marine Protected Area (established in 1991) Tapuae will protect this unique volcanic landscape, local fish populations and migratory species of humpback whales, common dolphins, pilot whales and orca.
For more information visit: DOC . Forest & Bird and the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society advocated for the establishment of the reserve for many years.
2006 Horoirangi Marine Reserve
Nelson-Marlborough
Lying 12 kilometres north of Nelson city, the Horoirangi Marine Reserve covers a 904-hectare area near the Nelson Boulder Bank, a geologically unique boulder spit and scenic reserve. It houses a large population of ambush starfish, hermit crabs, sea squirts and snails.
Forest & Bird proposed the marine reserve in 1999 after nearly a decade of consultation. Its establishment complements marine protection offered by the Whakapuaka (Delaware Bay) Taiapure, along the eastern flank of Tasman Bay.
In 2005, Forest & Bird helped to establish three marine reserves around the top of the North Island, in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, North Taranaki and in the Whangarei Harbour. Two years earlier, we successfully campaigned for the establishment of the Te Matuku reserve off Waiheke Island.
