The results of a questionnaire regarding a possible marine reserve on the east coast of Otago have been revealed and suggest strong support for some form of marine protection in the area.
A South East Marine Protection forum was set up in 2014 to consider marine protection options for the southern coastline, from Timaru to Waipapa Point at the southern end of the Catlins.
A questionnaire, titled "Our Sea, Your Say'', was circulated by the forum to 301 people, 90% of whom said they agreed something needed to be done to protect the marine values of the region.
Only 8% said nothing needed to be done.
Forum chairwoman Maree Baker-Galloway said the questionnaire was a way of canvassing the community to gain some understanding.
It also enabled the community to have input in the forum process.
"It was never intended to be a rigorous social survey,'' Mrs Baker-Galloway said.
It allowed the forum to understand more of the history of the environment, including how it had changed and what people valued about it.
Public meetings were also held and contact was made with interested parties.
Mrs Baker-Galloway said the quality of responses to the survey demonstrated how important the coastal area was to people in the region.
Visiting beaches ranked highest in a survey of preferred activities in a marine area.
Swimming came second, followed closely by recreational fishing.
The participants identified the main threats to the environment as being related to fishing, wildlife, erosion, rubbish and pollution.
Half of the participants thought the environment had declined to some degree, while 15% said it had not changed at all.
Only 8% thought it had improved.
The forum was expected to release its draft recommendations for public consultation in October this year.
