Marine reserves, marine parks, sanctuaries, mataitai, rahui - there are many different tools used to protect marine areas. But what do they do and how well do they protect our marine life?
| Tool | Protection |
|---|---|
| Strict nature reserves Permanent no-take, restricted access area (except by permit for scientific research and management). There are no strict nature reserves in New Zealand. |
Complete |
| Marine Parks Permanent, restricted take and restricted access areas. Marine parks usually fall under the Harbours Act or under their own special legislation. New Zealand has 3 marine parks (Mimiwhangata, Tawharanui and the Hauraki Gulf). |
Medium - Low |
| Marine parks Permanent, restricted take and restricted access areas. Marine parks usually fall under the Harbours Act or under their own special legislation. New Zealand has 3 marine parks (Mimiwhangata, Tawharanui and the Hauraki Gulf). |
Medium- Low |
| Mataitai Permanent customary food gathering areas, usually prohibiting commercial access and managed by tangata whenua. There are more than 10 mataitai in place and more than 30 proposed. |
Medium-Low |
| Taipure Permanent, open access customary fisheries areas, protected for food, spiritual or cultural reasons. Managed by the Minister of Fisheries with tangata whenua advice. New Zealand has eight taiapure. |
Medium- Low |
| Marine Mammal Sanctuaries Permanent, restricted use areas managed to provide a refuge for marine mammals. There are five sanctuaries for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins around mainland New Zealand and one around the Auckland Islands to protect NZ sea lions. |
Medium - Low |
| Rahui Temporary no-take areas put in place by tangata whenua. |
Medium - Low |
| Wildlife sanctuaries and refuges Permanent areas managed to protect particular species in a specific geographical area. |
Medium-Low |
| Other fisheries closures (Section 186, 186a, 186b Fisheries Act 1996) Temporary or seasonally restricted areas managed to protect particular species in a specific geographical area. |
Medium - Low |
| Cable protection zones Permanent restricted areas to protect cables or pipes from damage. Fishing and anchoring is prohibited or heavily restricted. |
Medium-Low |
