Implementing the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy

Executive Summary

Introduction

The Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy

Proposed Management Measures

Options for Implementing the Strategy

Conclusion: The Investigative Group's Preferred Implementation Option

Summary of Findings and Recommendations

Appendix 1: Terms of Reference for the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy Investigative Group

Appendix 2: Analysis of the Ability of Current Marine Legislation to Implement the Management Measures in the Strategy

Appendix 3: Fisheries Management

Appendix 4: Values of Special Significance

Appendix 5: Risks to the Marine Environment

Appendix 6: Expressing Kaitiakitanga (Stewardship)

Appendix 7: Information and Monitoring

Appendix 8: Implementing the Strategy

Appendix 9: Compliance and Enforcement

Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to set out the Investigative Group's advice to the Minister for the Environment on options for implementing the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy (the strategy) as produced by the Guardians of Fiordland's Fisheries and Marine Environment Inc (the Guardians). Ministers agreed to the implementation being completed by September 2005.

The Cabinet Policy Committee agreed to the formation of an Investigative Group which has been tasked with writing this report, with the expectation that the Minister for the Environment will report back to the committee on preferred options for implementing the strategy.

Background

Fiordland is recognised as a globally unique environment that contains high value marine resources and exceptional marine biodiversity. Increasing use of this area has threatened to compromise these values. The Southland community has reacted to these threats with an innovative proposal to improve marine resource management.

In 2003, the Guardians of Fiordland's Fisheries and Marine Environment (the Guardians) completed an eight-year project to improve marine resource management in Fiordland. The Guardians were formed in 1995 and its members represent organisations in the local community, including the Ngai Tahu Runanga of Oraka-Aparima, and commercial fishing, recreational fishing, charter/tourism, and conservation interests. The Guardians' strategy was developed to address their concerns about the impacts of human activities on Fiordland's fisheries and marine environment.

The Guardians started by developing an overall vision for Fiordland's marine environment, namely:

That the quality of Fiordland's marine environment and fisheries, including the wider fishery experience, be maintained or improved for future generations to use and enjoy.

They then worked towards that vision by gathering information and identifying issues with human activities impacting on the marine environment. Key objectives were developed for each of the problem areas to help the Guardians maintain a consistent approach through debate and decision-making.

The Guardians undertook long and careful negotiation and consultation with the wide range of interested groups and stakeholders. Each of the sectors involved in the negotiations gave up some of the interests that they held in the marine environment for the overall protection of the marine environment; this process was known as the 'gifts and gains'. The result of this process was a package of management measures the Guardians believed would improve local marine resource management. The Guardians strongly recommended that all management measures be implemented to ensure that the carefully negotiated balance of gifts and gains is not compromised.

The Guardians have asked the Government to take the necessary policy and legislative steps to implement their strategy. The Ministers of Fisheries and the Environment were presented with the strategy at a public meeting in Te Anau on 6 September 2003. At that meeting, the Ministers committed the Government to implementing the strategy by September 2005. The Ministers stated that they saw the strategy providing direction for marine management in Fiordland and recognised the strategy's vision and objectives. The Ministers noted that central and local government agencies would need to have the flexibility to find the most appropriate means to implement it.

In November 2003, the Investigative Group was formed on instruction from the Cabinet Policy Committee (12 November 2003, POL min (03)29/6). The group includes government and regional agencies, including the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish), Department of Conservation (DoC), Ministry for the Environment (MFE), Maritime Safety Authority, Environment Southland, the Guardians and Ngai Tahu. The group's task is to provide options for implementing the Guardians' strategy. MFE is co-ordinating this investigation. The Minister for the Environment will then submit a paper to Cabinet outlining options for implementing the Guardians' strategy by September 2005. The Cabinet paper will be based on this report and the feedback to it. Refer to Appendix 1 for the group's Terms of Reference.