Marine protection too slow: board

A process to develop marine protected areas around New Zealand is moving too slowly for the Otago Conservation Board.

The board has been seeking marine protection for areas in Otago for many years.

The board had been hoping the latest process would result in marine protected areas for the region.

The new marine-protected-area process involves assessing marine environment types to determine which ecosystems lack adequate protection.

This is now under way in the sub-Antarctic Islands.

It is also taking place on the West Coast of the South Island.

The board's strength of feeling led it to write to the conservation minister expressing its concerns about the time it was taking to begin the process for Otago and Southland.

But at a recent board meeting, members learned that marine habitats and areas already protected had to be mapped nationally before any local consultation could take place.

Board member Abby Smith said New Zealand had 30 marine reserves protecting marine species and ecosystems, but none were in Otago.

A proposal for a marine reserve at Nugget Point in the Catlins was shelved in 1992 after local opposition.

Another proposal in 2005 went no further because of a change in the process.

This made further delays "particularly distressing", Ms Smith said.

"What the Otago Conservation Board wants to know now is when will it be Otago's turn."

There was a "giant gap" in Otago's conservation estate without a marine protected area.

The region had many special marine areas such as the Catlins Coast, Nugget Point and Purakaunui.

"We need to look after these areas if they are going to be there for our grandchildren," Ms Smith said.

Department of Conservation community relations manager Marian van der Goes said it had been determined the mapping process, which would highlight any gaps where habitats were not protected, was needed before any decisions could be made on what region would come next.

She expected the mapping work would be done "sooner rather than later".

- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz