A symposium aimed at protecting Otago's coastline has given
about 60 people food for thought.
Symposium co-ordinator Abby Smith said there were more than
30 marine reserves in New Zealand, but none protected Otago's
coastline.
"The Otago Conservation Board has been constantly dismayed by
the slow, if not glacial, process of trying to protect any
part of our coastline." said Ms Smith, marine science
associate professor at the University of Otago and deputy
chairwoman of the Otago Conservation Board.
The "Otago's Changing Seas - Looking After Our Coastline"
symposium at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre near
Portobello yesterday was an opportunity for discussion and
information sharing.
About 10 scientific, conservation and community
representatives from the Government, Marine New Zealand, the
East Otago Taiapure Management Committee, Department of
Conservation, the Ministry of Fisheries and the University of
Otago's Marine Science Department, Tourism Department and the
Centre for Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment shared
up-to-date information about the marine environment, present
research and conservation issues and different perspectives
on the use of Otago's coastline.
While no quick-fix solutions were found to the lengthy delays
in creating protection for Otago's coastline, it was agreed
the local seas provided nourishment, recreation, and
employment which needed to be protected and preserved for the
health, wealth and happiness of future generations.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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