While endorsing the proposal in the draft Otago Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) for the Taieri scroll plain, Nokomai patterned mire and Waihola-Waipori wetlands as areas worthy of international recognition, Emeritus Prof Sir Alan Mark questions the priority it is being given.
''If you look at the CMS milestones, its priority seems quite low.''
Submissions on the strategy close on September 13.
Time ''was of the essence'' to protect the wetlands, so it was disappointing to see five- to 10-year milestones for getting the processes under way, he said.
''If you attach that much significance to them, why take so long?''The ''low-key'' approach led him to wonder how much significance should be attached to the proposal, Prof Mark said.
Otago Fish and Game chief executive Niall Watson said the Upper Taieri scroll plain and Waihola/Waipori were very important wetlands nationally and internationally and any additional recognition would be welcomed.
With South Otago's Lake Tuakitoto, the two wetlands formed the core of Otago's wetland resource.
Major wetlands in Otago had undergone significant modification over the years and the important work groups were doing to restore and maintain these areas would be bolstered by the additional recognition proposed by the Department of Conservation in the CMS strategy.
''Increased recognition will hopefully make it easier for community groups to get funding support for wetland restoration and management activities.''
Acting Otago Conservator Ken Stewart said the natural and landscape values of the wetlands made them good candidates for recognition as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, but it was something Doc would discuss with landowners, Ngai Tahu, Otago Regional Council, Fish and Game and others in the community.
''We are floating these ideas in our draft CMS and would welcome feedback as part of the consultation process.''
The Taieri scroll plain, a large wetland in the Maniototo and Styx Basins that was part of the upper reaches of the Taieri River, was the only one of its kind in New Zealand, Mr Stewart said.
The upper Taieri catchment was a mosaic of tussock grasslands, farmland, wetlands and bogs, which helped store water and released it slowly into the river, protecting fish, wildlife and cultural values, and water sources.
The river was well known for several rare native fish species and was an important trout fishery.
