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Marine Protection: Subantarctic Islands
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Submissions on the subantarctic islands are now closed.
If you wish to recieve updates on these proposed marine reserves, contact K.knowles@forestandbird.org.nz
Our windswept, isolated subantarctic islands – Antipodes, Campbell, Bounty and Auckland islands - that lie in our offshore waters south of the South Island are home to some of our most treasured creatures.
Submission guide tool-kit:
• Be clear
• Say why you care about our Sub Antarctic islands and why these marine reserve proposals are important to you.
• If making a specific point, refer to page numbers in the proposal
• Give your reasons for the comments/recommendations made
The archipelago has been shaped & re-shaped over centuries by volcanic and glacial forces and holds colonies of threatened albatross, NZ sea lions, yellow eyed penguins and petrels.
In 1998, in recognition of its scientific significance & outstanding diversity, the islands and the surrounding coastal waters were listed as a World Heritage site.
This month, the public has the opportunity to speak up and tell the government why they think this area should have greater protection from threats such as fishing & mining.
Why are the subantarctic islands so special?
Photos courtesy of DOC
- The islands contain the most diverse community of seabirds in the world including:
- ten albatross species (42% of the world’s species)
- four penguin species (including the world’s rarest, the yellow-eyed penguin)
- the world’s rarest cormorant (the Bounty Island shag)
- the vulnerable Campbell Island shag (just 1000 breeding pairs remaining)
- the critically threatened Campbell Island teal
- 30% of the world’s petrels – 21 species or subspecies;
-The islands are home to the rare and threatened endemic New Zealand sea lion - once found around New Zealand, but now mainly restricted to the Subantarctics;
- The islands contain a significant breeding population of southern right whales, formerly endangered, as well as breeding populations of southern elephant seals and New Zealand fur seals;
- The islands coastal waters contain many marine plant and animal species that are found nowhere else.
What is being done to protect these areas?
Currently, the coastal waters around the Auckland islands are protected by a marine reserve that was established in 2003. This reserve stretches for 12 nautical miles around the islands and protects the ecosystem from extractive uses such as fishing and mining. The reserve is overlaid by a marine mammal sanctuary that was established in 1993 to protect important breeding populations of the threatened New Zealand sea lion.
As of 2006, deep sea-fishing operations such as trawling, and dredging have also been prohibited around the whole group of islands - Bounty, Campbell, Antipodes & Auckland islands – within Benthic Protected Areas. However other fishing operations (midwater trawling & long lining) and activities are still allowed to take place in the waters surrounding the Antipodes, Campbell and Bounty islands.
What more can be done?
In an effort to place some protections around these special marine areas, the Ministry of Fisheries & Department of Conservation created a MPA planning forum in February 2008 to identify sites and potential tools to protect these islands (Antipodes, Campbell and Bounty islands).
The 14 person panel contains a mix of representatives from a range of interested parties including Maori, commercial fishing, environmental/conservation groups & those with scientific interests.
On 5 June 2009 the forum released its proposals – these can be found here:
http://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/seas/biodiversity/protected/mpa_consulta...
What is being proposed?
The forum has proposed two options for protecting the coastal waters around the Antipodes, Campbell and Bounty Islands.
Option One: Partial Protection
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e.g Campbell Island
Rectangular no-take marine reserve surrounded by a marine protected area in which some fishing is prohibited (bottom trawling, dredging and Danish seinin
Option Two: Complete Protection
e.g. Campbell Island
Comprehensive no-take marine reserve from land to the 12 nautical mile coastal boundary.
Forest & Bird recommends Option 2 for each island group - complete protection of these remote and highly diverse marine environments.
Please help give our wonderful sub-Antarctic marine life a voice by making a submission on the proposals.
The government’s biodiversity web site provides a questionnaire form to guide you in making a submission. Whether it’s a completed submission form, a letter, an email or a fax, please send your submission to:
Subantarctic Marine Protection Planning Forum Consultation
Department of Conservation
PO Box 10 420
Wellington 6143
Fax: 04 381 3057
Email: mpa@biodiversity.govt.nz
Submissions close at 5.00pm on 31 July 2009.