Search:
You are here: Home › Resources › Publications & Reports › Freshwater Management in New Zealand
In New Zealand, when we talk of no-take zones in the sea we really mean marine reserves, set up under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. Although there are a few other ways of achieving full protection, the Marine Reserves Act is the specific piece of legislation designed for this purpose. It does have some short-comings, however, and to correct some of these a new Marine Reserves Bill has been prepared, but has been languishing in the storage cupboards of Parliament with no action for more than ten years.
Chisnall, B.L, 1994. An unexploited mixed species eel stock (Anguilla australis and A. dieffenbachii) in a Waikato pastoral stream, and its modification by fishing pressure. Conservation Advisory Science Notes No. 69, Department of Conservation, Wellington. 9p.
Advice was sought by the Department of Conservation (Hamilton) to answer the following questions:
1. What comprises an unexploited mixed species eel population in a pastoral stream?
2. What are the effects of repeated removal of commercial sized eels on a previously unfished eel population?
A study to validate aging techniques for eels completed for MAF Fisheries in a Waikato lowland pastoral stream (Chisnall & Kalish 1993), has provided information on the structure of an unexploited mixed species eel population (shortfinned eel, Anguilla australis and longfinned eel, A. dieffenbachii ). Most of the resident population was then removed after one year, and for the three following years sampling was carried out to assess the population and to remove marketable sized eels (> 220 g). The data gathered over these five consecutive years (1988-1992) has provided information on the recovery of the eel stock after intensive fishing.
The Land and Water Forum comprises a range of primary industry groups, environmental and recreational NGOs, iwi and other organisations with an interest in freshwater and land management.
The Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry asked the Land and Water Forum to advise on how water should be managed in New Zealand. The Forum was joined for that task by active observers from central and local government.
The Forum’s task was to: · conduct a stakeholder-led collaborative governance process to recommend reform of New Zealand’s freshwater management; · through a consensus process, identify shared outcomes and goals for freshwater and related land management; · identify options to achieve these outcomes and goals; · produce a written report which recommends shared outcomes, goals and long-term strategies for freshwater in New Zealand.
The Forum created the report: A Fresh Start for Freshwater which documents the forums list of reccomendations for the management of our precious freshwater resources, taking into account the natural variability within our landscape and the links between land use, soil and water. This report suggests policy and environmental targets for achieving the forums goals and principals.
Meetings to discuss the Forum’s Report were held around the country in October and November 2010, and February and March 2011. This document is the forum’s report to the ministers outlining the outcomes of the meetings held and the suggested way forward.
This report provides a great standing point for future change and improved management of New Zealand’s freshwater resources.
This Report, A Fresh Start for Freshwater documents the forums list of reccomendations for the management of our precious freshwater resources, taking into account the natural variability within our landscape and the links between land use, soil and water. This report suggests policy and environmental targets for achieving the forums goals and principals.
The prime purpose of the current ecological restoration document is to provide guidance to the Taiharuru Catchment Care Group on biodiversity values present and opportunities to achieve the outcomes of the strategic document and vision. It also provides background information on the Taiharuru catchment as a whole that will be useful to all landowners.
