There will be no physical presence on the water showing their boundaries.
Department of Conservation coastal Otago operations manager Gabe Davies said there was no plan to install buoys to mark the marine reserve boundaries as the coastline was very exposed and buoys were costly to install and maintain.
People will be able to determine where the boundaries are from maps available on the MarineMate app — which has been updated to include the new reserves — or through GPS-capable phones and chart plotters.
Natural features will also be useful markers such as Harakeke Point and White Island for Ōrau Marine Reserve.
People can also visit Doc’s website to view or download the boundary files and find more information about the reserves.
Doc is scoping plans for land-based markers, which may be installed in future.
Kāi Tahu and Doc rangers will be out on the water from today.
They will be checking in with boats inside the marine reserves to ensure people are aware of the new areas and their rules.
They are open for everyone to enjoy and explore, whether that be along the coast, by vessel or underwater.
The five reserves nearly double the amount of marine protection across New Zealand.
The Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association and other parties filed a judicial review about the proposal, with their main focus on the Te Umukōau Marine Reserve, an area off Waikouaiti.
The High Court allowed the five marine reserves to go ahead while the boundaries for the Te Umukōau reserve were set aside for limited reconsideration and targeted consultation.
New marine reserves
Waitaki: The northernmost of the five, covering 101sq km of the coastline south of the Waitaki River.
Papanui: Located near the Otago Peninsula, covering 168sq km off the coast.
Ōrau: Spans 29sq km and includes a popular stretch of Dunedin coastline with near-shore reefs.
Hākinikini: A 6sq km reserve protecting delicate marine life.
Ōkaihae: The southernmost reserve, spanning 5sq km.
