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Biodiversity
Fiordland
Roles in managing the Fiordland Marine Area
Fiordland Marine Guardians
The Fiordland Marine Guardians are community representatives from a wide range of backgrounds who are passionate about working together to safeguard the Fiordland Marine Area. Their role is to advise management agencies on all aspects of the marine environment. The Guardians are responsible for obtaining and sharing information which will benefit the management of the area.
Ministry for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment has responsibility for providing administrative support for the Fiordland Marine Guardians, leading the Fiordland Marine Area Communications Plan, and is the administering agency of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act.
Ministry of Fisheries
The Ministry of Fisheries is responsible for the sustainable use of fisheries resources. It is the lead agency for compliance with fisheries regulations and the Fiordland Marine Area Compliance Plan. The Ministry of Fisheries is also involved in research in the Fiordland Marine Area. The scientific data it collects enhances the overall knowledge of the Fiordland marine environment, alongside research done by other management agencies and the Fiordland Marine Guardians.
Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation leads the implementation of the Fiordland Marine Area Monitoring Plan. The Monitoring Plan sets out methods by which fisheries, areas of special significance, and risks to the marine environment can be assessed. The results of the monitoring provide an overview of the success of the management strategy. For example, if areas of special significance are shown to be degraded then it indicates that the current management practices are not successful, and further actions are required. The Department of Conservation is also responsible for managing marine reserves in the Fiordland Marine Area.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: Biosecurity New Zealand
MAF Biosecurity NZ’s key role is to implement the Fiordland Marine Area Biosecurity Plan. The Biosecurity Plan outlines strategic measures to reduce the risks posed by invasive organisms that could adversely affect Fiordland's marine environment, and sets out steps to implement these measures.
Environment Southland
Environment Southland, the Southland Regional Council, is primarily responsible for managing the natural and physical resources of the Fiordland Marine Area. Environment Southland also assists the Ministry for the Environment with the education and information distribution roles outlined in the Communications Plan.
For further information
Visit the Fiordland Marine Guardians’ website. This website provides up to date information on the activities of the Guardians and management agencies, as well as detail of the unique rules which govern activities in the Fiordland Marine Area. It is also home to background information about the Guardians and the Fiordland environment, and publications produced by or about the Guardians.
Last updated: 26 June 2009
