New marine reserve off the Taranaki coast

The establishment of the new Tapuae Marine Reserve off the Taranaki coast near New Plymouth was announced today by Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick.

“The reserve comes into effect today and will protect 1404 ha off the Taranaki coast. This is another important step in protecting New Zealand’s diverse marine environment,” Steve Chadwick said.

 

The reserve adjoins the Sugar Loaf Island Marine Protected Area (SLIMPA) and stretches from Herekawe Stream in the north to Tapuae Stream in the south.

 

“Our marine environment is a large part of who we are as New Zealanders, and I am pleased to able to announce another move in protecting these precious natural resources.

 

“Taranaki is known for its rugged coast, but the Seal Rock/Waikaranga Island provides a natural shield, resulting in a wide variety of habitats and sheltered areas. It’s this complexity that has allowed a diverse range of marine life to flourish.”

 

Schools of pelagic and reef fish are found within the marine reserve area. The islands and associated coastline are important breeding and haul-out sites for

 

“The marine reserve is the result of years of hard work by the applicants, the Ng
Motu Marine Reserve Society, to safeguard this unique marine area on the west coast of the North Island.”

 

A Marine Park was established in 1986 and in 1991 the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area Act prohibited mining and established a protected area. The Ng
Motu Marine Reserve Society formed in 1999 and in 2005 they applied for the area to be declared a marine reserve.

 

In June 2006 the then Conservation Minister addressed concerns from Ngati Te Whiti and fishers about recreational and customary fishing by reducing the proposed reserve by 143 hectares.

 

“The Tapuae Marine Reserve has outstanding biodiversity values, both from a species and a community perspective, and establishing the reserve demonstrates the government’s commitment to marine protection.”