Matt Rayner explains that allowing some fishing in proposed High Protection Areas overlooks the complex interdependencies in Gulf ecosystems.
The Hauraki Gulf Forum commissioned this report on the potential impacts of exotic Caulerpa
While scientists are diligently working on technology to eradicate exotic Caulerpa, a surprising discovery has been made – a new species of snail nestled within the weed.
Matt Rayner explains that allowing some fishing in proposed High Protection Areas overlooks the complex interdependencies in Gulf ecosystems. gulfjournal.org.nz/2024/10/the-gulfs-complex-web-politicians-fumble-at-netting-simple-solutions/ Photo Geoff Reid NZ ... See MoreSee Less
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I'm still waiting for a reply to the email I sent to Tama Potaka regarding this issue when it was announced. I'm not holding my breath; there seems to be a lack of communication and a lack of respect for constituents, sadly.
Excellent work Matt Rayner
www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/530597/govt-wants-new-marine-protection-areas-in-hauraki-gulf-while-a...
Co-chairs of the Forum, Nicola MacDonald and Hauraki mayor Toby Adams, said opening up high protection areas to commercial fishing undermined years of collaboration by successive governments with Iwi, communities and industry to ensure that the Gulf was protected and restored.
"In the forum's submission on the Bill, we were explicit that commercial activity must not be allowed in high protection areas. To do so undermines the integrity of the Bill and the principles of marine protection, restoration and conservation," MacDonald said.
Adams added there was already a robust permitting regime in the Bill to allow activities such as fishing to take place within a protected area.
"There is no reason to bake into the legislation an exception for commercial fishing, other than an acknowledgement that this would never meet the threshold for receiving a permit - in and of itself an example of why this change should be thrown out.
"This Bill has been consistently stalled over the past 14 months, and the last minute changes being proposed today, almost four months after the select committee process ended, threaten to set back our protection and restoration efforts by decades." ... See MoreSee Less
Govt wants new marine protection areas in Hauraki Gulf while allowing some fishing
www.rnz.co.nz
But critics say new amendments to a Bill will undermine years of collaboration to ensure that the Gulf is protected and restored.2 CommentComment on Facebook
1. Ban all bottom contact destructive fishing in the Gulf. 2. Reseed the Gulf with mussel and mussel spat. 3. Do not allow “special groups” to continue taking seafood from protected areas. Rahui’s are for all people. 4. Clean up all plastic from the Gulf, it’s estuarine areas, all waterways and drains that allow rubbish to flow into the sea, and 5. Stop shellfish zones from being covered in mud caused by land development. 6. Get the people who ask for these consultations to actually listen and take note rather than just playing noughts and crosses on their lap tops while the verbal submissions are taking place.
youtu.be/sN2Nv6iDPt8 ... See MoreSee Less
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They should have acted on this year's ago. Like when it 1st appeared before summer/Dec 2021.........
thespinoff.co.nz/society/28-09-2024/the-deep-allure-of-the-rms-niagara-one-of-new-zealands-most-n... ... See MoreSee Less
The deep allure of the RMS Niagara, one of New Zealand’s most notorious shipwrecks
thespinoff.co.nz
The gold-laden Titanic of the Pacific continues to capture our imaginations, even as an ecological disaster looms.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
After 2018 catch reductions, the latest fisheries assessment suggests kōura / crayfish in CRA 2 (which includes the Hauraki Gulf) have recovered to 40% of their unfished biomass. However, 2021/22 diver surveys show kōura biomass in marine reserves is 12-43x higher than in fished areas, indicating kōura populations on shallow reefs in the Hauraki Gulf are below 10% (the hard limit for fishing).
Which measure do you think gives a more accurate picture of the Hauraki Gulf's kōura populations?
Survey results published here: ... See MoreSee Less
Frontiers | Using marine protected areas to assess the status and recovery of the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii fishery in the Hauraki Gulf, Aotearoa New Zealand
www.frontiersin.org
The value of no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) in providing fisheries-independent information to evaluate the status of adjacent fish stocks is increasin...3 CommentsComment on Facebook
I would suggest the stock assessment is swayed by fisher behavior. They will only pot the best most productive reefs,then data looks good. The inner gulf is a worry I don't bother diving in there any more. Cra-2 should be split into smaller management areas.
If only trawling was to stop in the gulf
Rest the whole gulf for ten years. Surveys are a smokescreen to the truth of the matter that the Gulf marine environment is truly suffering and in decline.
A fascinating journey into the geological history of our most iconic motu ... See MoreSee Less
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Glorious to see a pod of dolphins frisking off Hobsonville Point seaplane ramp this morning! Highlight of a tour with MP Cameron Brewer of the vast housing development under way. Let's hope the sediment runoff is well-contained... ... See MoreSee Less
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NZIER's assessment of the potential impacts of exotic caulerpa published today:
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NZIER assessment of the potential impacts of exotic Caulerpa
gulfjournal.org.nz
The Hauraki Gulf Forum commissioned this report on the potential impacts of exotic Caulerpa2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I hope this post is OK to put here... Auckland Council are closing haul out facilities faster than caulerpa is spreading! The most recent being the one where I maintained my boat; Little Shoal Bay Boatyard, which was the last DIY (affordable) inner-harbour haul out able to handle multihull boats! I will now have to take my boat, which is moored only 2.5 kms from the international port of Auckland to Stillwater for maintenance. This will mean sailing past the Okura-Long Bay Marine reserve with a dirty boat! Hauraki Gulf Forum, grass roots sailors like my family and me need urgent, practical help! Please save the Little Shoal Bay Boatyard. We have a petition too! www.change.org/p/save-little-shoal-bay-boatyard Nearly a thousand signatures in 2 weeks. 😁
So useful to do this sort of analysis, even when it’s ballpark.