Statement on marine biodiversity protection

There’s been a bit of talk online about Waikato Regional Council’s regional coastal plan review, and especially around how the council might protect marine biodiversity around the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Gulf.

Although the council values this discussion, some of what is being considered by communities is based on inaccurate and misleading information.

To address this, the council wants to clarify that it is seeking feedback from communities about how we could further protect our region’s unique marine biodiversity from activities that can cause disturbance to the foreshore and seabed or affect marine life.

The options the council is looking at are limiting certain activities including fishing and kaimoana gathering in areas where marine biodiversity is being affected. One suggestion we have heard is the area around the Mercury islands, which have been identified as having outstanding natural character and significant indigenous biodiversity by scientists.

We want to hear from Coromandel communities about this area, but also whether there are other areas they consider need further protection.

Feedback can be provided via our website https://yourvoicematters.waikatoregion.govt.nz which also features an interactive map identifying significant biodiversity areas for the region, as well as cultural and historic heritage sites and current and suggested aquaculture areas.

Communities have until the end of July 2022 to provide their feedback.

We are very early in the process of getting feedback on marine biodiversity protection and no decision has been made. Formal consultation will be carried out after we have refined our approach based on this feedback. A timeframe has yet to be set for when this will occur.