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Oceans Legally protected areas
Coastal biogeographic regions protected by marine reserve
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Current situation
Of the 14 coastal biogeographic regions, 10 have at least one marine reserve.
Only two of New Zealand’s coastal biogeographic regions have a significant area protected in marine reserve: the Kermadec Islands and Subantarctic Islands, with 100 per cent and 41.7 per cent of their territorial sea ecosystems protected respectively. These two regions are recognised internationally as unique ecosystems. However, the Kermadec Islands and Subantarctic Islands are not mainland coastal biogeographic regions.
Marine reserves in the territorial sea by Coastal Biogeographic Regions Classification
Data (text description) for above map
Source: Department of Conservation.
No mainland coastal biogeographic region has more than 1.1 per cent of its area in designated marine reserves.
Four regions (Three Kings Islands, West Coast South Island, Snares Islands and Chatham Islands) do not yet contain any marine reserves. As a result, some key marine ecosystems in New Zealand remain unprotected by marine reserves.
Percentage of mainland coastal biogeographic regions in marine reserves, 2008
Data (text description) for above graph
Data source: Department of Conservation.
Recent trend
Since 2007, two additional marine reserves have been established: Tapuae, in the Western North Island Biogeographic Region and Taputeranga in the North Cook Strait Biogeographic Region (marked with red crosses in map above).
In 2008, the proportion of both the Western North Island and North Cook Strait Biogeographic Regions designated as marine reserve increased by 0.10 and 0.06 per cent respectively (shaded in red in graph above).
What can you do?
- Poaching is theft. Stop people stealing our natural resources – call 0800 4 POACHER if you see someone taking marine life from a marine reserve, or anything you think is suspicious.
- Rubbish can be harmful to wildlife – 90 per cent of marine rubbish found on coasts is beverage packaging. Don't litter.
- Spend some time collecting rubbish at a nearby beach.
Find out more about marine reserves at www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal
Case study
Learn about Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on the east coast of the North Island.
The above information has come from the latest environmental report card on marine areas with legal protection.
Last updated: December 2008
