The new delivery date is December 20.
The forum's chairwoman, Maree Baker Galloway, said that it needed the extra time to ''do justice'' to the points of view received from public consultation.
''This is a complex decision-making process, covering a large area and it has generated a lot of public interest. The forum received 2803 submissions which in itself demonstrates how the community has engaged with the process.''
The forum's final recommendations were expected to include proposals for a network of marine protected areas, including marine reserves, from Timaru down to Waipapa Point in Southland, aimed at protecting marine biodiversity, Ms Galloway said.
Any recommendations accepted by the Government would be required to undergo the appropriate statutory processes before their implementation, she said.
