Marine NZ

Minister’s Akaroa Marine Reserve decision quashed

11 May 2012 | 7 Comments

The High Court has told the Government to reconsider its decision to reject a proposal for a marine reserve in Akaroa.
The Akaroa Harbour Marine Protection Society applied for a marine reserve near Dan Rogers’ Bluff in Akaroa Harbour in 1995.
The Conservation Minister declined the application because a reserve would interfere with recreational fishing.
The society appealed to the High Court saying the minister did not weigh up the positives of the proposed reserve and the effects on recreational fishing.
Judge Nathanial Whata found that the application must be reconsidered.

The Akaroa Marine Reserve proposal will now go back to the minister.

Dead Dolphin Sparks Call to Extend Set Net Ban

04 Feb 2012 | 7 Comments

A rare dolphin found dead in a Taranaki fisherman’s set net has politicians, environmentalists and commercial fishermen seeking law changes.

The Green Party and Forest & Bird are both calling for the set net fishing exclusion zone on the west coast to be extended after a commercial fisherman caught a rare dolphin off Cape Egmont.

On January 2 he found what he believed to be a dead female Hector’s dolphin in his set net off Cape Egmont.

The man tossed the carcass back into the ocean as required by law and reported the incident to authorities.

Surf comp for Maui’s

11 Jan 2012 | 13 Comments

WWF-NZ Mountains to Sea/ Ki Uta ki Tai
Some of New Zealand’s top surfers and skaters will be competing in a special event to help raise awareness of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin, which is found only off the West Coast of the North Island.

People are invited to come down to watch the events on Saturday 14th January 2012
Surf comp
10am -12pm, Piha Beach (either side of Lion Rock)
Check out the New Zealand Billabong surf team in action, including Keone Campbell, Sam Willis, Matt Scorringe, Blair Stewart, Bucky Woods, and Dune Kennings.

Skateboard comp
4:00pm - 5:00pm at Amazon Boardstore, 74 St Georges Bay Road Parnell Featuring Chey Ataria, Justin Watene, and Simon Thorp amongst others.