Blair Tuke, left, and Peter Burling. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The passing of the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill is a huge milestone for the Gulf, America's Cup sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke say.
It extends two existing marine reserves, where removing any marine life is prohibited, and establishes five seafloor protection areas (SPAs), where the bottom of the ocean can't be significantly disturbed.
However, it's drawn criticism from conservationists and recreational fishers, after late changes allowed commercial fishing in some protected areas.
The champion sailors who co-founded Live Ocean which campaigns for a healthy ocean, said they have been seeking to highlight the Gulf's uniqueness and its rich biodiversity so the bill's passing deserved to be celebrated.
"There's plenty more work to do to look after this beautiful bit of ocean, but this moves us closer to restoring the health of one of New Zealand's most precious marine areas. I'm really looking forward to seeing those ecosystems start to thrive with the pressure taken off," Tuke said.
It had been "a long time coming" and was the result of a lot of work from many people.
Burling said it was "an amazing first step. For me it's not the complete solution, but it's a really strong step towards looking after more areas in marine protection and protecting the seafloor".
New Zealand's ocean space is the fourth largest on the planet, yet less than 1 percent of it is protected, Burling said. "So we have much further to go to protect more of the coastal and deep ocean ecosystems we are guardians of. I hope this can inspire us to think about greater marine protection beyond the Gulf."
'Coalition politics' factor in allowing commercial fishing
Problems for the Gulf included pollution, sedimentation and fisheries loss and it was pleasing that the area to be protected has tripled to 800 square kilometres, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told Morning Report.
Protections would need to be enforced and there would also need to be some initiatives such as re-stocking the Gulf with crayfish.
"The Gulf is an epic and majestic place and all Aucklanders and New Zealanders should be proud of it."
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
He defended the commercial fishing exemptions in high protection areas which would be limited to two small areas and were "just a part of coalition politics".
"Even the Greens and Labour supported ultimately the final legislation and I acknowledge them for that."
Potaka said removing references to hapu and whānau did not weaken the legislation - they would continue to have a voice through the iwi engagement that underpinned the legislation.
The Bill was a step in the right direction and in the future there might be more changes.
"We've got to get out and make sure that we're maintaining and enforcing the regulations and laws but also celebrating and getting people out to enjoy the Gulf ... it's one of the most wondrous places in the country."
An adult black petrel cruises over the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Photo: Dan Burgin / WMIL
Concern over commercial fishing in protected areas
Conservation advocates are celebrating the passing of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill as a hard-won milestone.
But, they say there's still deep concern about significant compromises in the Bill's final form
Forest and Bird's Bianca Ranson said it was wrong commercial fishing was being allowed in two of the High Protection Areas.
"That was a decision that was made after public consultation."
Ranson said thousands had signed a petition objecting and she was heartened that Labour had pledged to change it.
It set a dangerous precedent and undermined what a high protection area was and turned it into a fisheries management zone.
There also needed to be an end to bottom trawling which was like using a bulldozer through a forest to gather mushrooms.
However, the Bill was still "a significant victory" which thousands of people had contributed to.
The Gulf was "on the brink" in terms of its ecosystems' wellbeing.
"This will offer a much needed opportunity for the revitalisation and recovery of many of the species of the Hauraki Gulf."
High protection will rise to 6 percent instead of the current 0.3 percent which was still a long way from where it needed to be which was 30 percent.
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