The South-East Marine Protection Forum held an information session at the Catlins Area School in Owaka on Saturday about the proposed marine protected areas on the southeast coast.
Twenty sites have been announced for a possible network of areas from north of the Pareora River, near Timaru, to Waipapa Point, in Southland.
Two different marine reserves were proposed near the Catlins.
One, near Long Point, was a type 1 complete ‘‘no take’’ zone, and the other was a type 2 marine protected area with some restrictions.
The second type restricted commercial fishing and fishing and other activities that cause seabed disturbance.
Communications adviser Gillian Thomas said the meeting was supposed to be an information session only. However, as several members of the public raised concerns at the meeting, it was decided South-East Marine Protection Forum member Simon Gilmour would answer questions. Mr Gilmour told the public the proposal was not guaranteed to be the final outcome and could be changed based on public submissions.
Landowner Brett Burgess was one of the most vocal in his opposition to the proposed reserve at Long Point. He said it was one of the best recreational fishing spots along the Catlins coast.
He was upset that landowners and local fishermen were not properly consulted before the proposals were announced, and worried their views were not accurately relayed to the forum.
Mr Burgess did not believe the marine reserve was necessary.
Forum member Fergus Sutherland said the proposed reserve was for the benefit of future generations.
Mr Burgess said he also was thinking of future generations, and his children as well. Future generations would not be able to fish there recreationally as they had done for "over 100 years" already.
Forum member Nelson Cross said a decision would be made on the proposal based on submissions from the public.
"This is your only chance to shape what we do ... we can only react to what you give us."
Mr Cross asked people to submit as individuals rather than as a group. He thanked those in attendance for being open about their views, as it helped the forum better understand.Forum members were careful not to express their view on the proposal.
Clutha district councillor, Catlins ward, Hilary McNab was also at the meeting and urged everyone to make a submission.
She cited her experience working on the council where it had reversed its stance on proposals based on submissions from the public. The public had the power to make a difference if it acted, she said.
Others who spoke against the proposal included Richie Hurring and Keith McNab.
About 50 people attended the meeting and nobody spoke in support of the proposal.
The period for public submissions closes at 5pm on December 20.
