The public has the next three weeks to protect the homeland of some of our most prized marine creatures, including our critically endangered Hector's dolphin.
Reef star, Photo: P. Ryan
If you support the proposal to create seven new marine reserves on the South Island's West Coast, make yourself heard!
International scientists have emphasised that 40% of representative ocean habitats and sea life needs protection. The UN Millennium Project calls for 10% of the oceans to be covered by marine reserves in the short to medium term, with a long-term goal of 30%.
Although Forest and Bird believes the proposed marine reserves are a good start, they need to provide greater protection for our ocean life.
Marine protection is necessary to protect habitats from the destructive impacts of industrial fishing, to act as insurance against the effects of climate change on ocean life and natural catastrophes.
The West Coast marine reserve proposals have avoided the majority of areas where commercial fishing takes place. Bottom trawling is the most common form of commercial fishing on the West Coast and is one of the most destructive forms of fishing.
Please use this form to voice your support for marine protection. We have provided key points to include to improve on proposals, however we encourage you to begin the email by saying what your relationship is to the West Coast (eg did you grow up there?, do you holiday there? etc) and why you support marine protection.
Please note: you must add your name at the end of the email.
Submissions are due by the August the 21st by 5pm
If you wish to recieve updates on the outcome of this proposal contact Kirstie Knowles on k.knowles@forestandbird.org.nz
