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

Summary of Findings and Recommendations

The Guardians' strategy recommends a package of management measures derived from a vision and objectives. The management measures in the Guardians' strategy needed some clarification before the best means of implementation could be determined.

Most of these management measures can be implemented through either non-statutory means or existing legislation. However, existing legislation does not provide the means to:

• fast-track the creation of new marine reserves, and changes to the Environment Southland Coastal plan to meet the September 2005 deadline for implementation of all management measures
• disallow new marine reserves applications (other than those agreed to in the strategy) until the strategy is reviewed
• define the area over which management measures will apply
• provide for the establishment and roles of the 'Fiordland Marine Guardians'.

The group identified two workable options for implementing the strategy as a whole. The first option would involve amending the Marine Reserves, Fisheries and Resource Management Acts as needed to enable the implementation of specific management measures. The second option would involve enactment of a new statute created under a special Act of Parliament that would provide for recognition of the Fiordland marine environment and provisions specifically for management of the Fiordland area, and link to consequential amendments of the Marine Reserves, Fisheries and Resource Management Acts as needed to enable the implementation of specific management measures.

The Investigative Group recommends that Option D is adopted because it considers it to be the best means to:

• strike a balance between giving effect to the Guardians' strategy as an integrated whole, and making best use of existing means (statutory and non-statutory) for implementing the management measures
• provide for management measures that cannot otherwise be accommodated through existing legislation
• maintain community support for the strategy, and meet the Guardian's expectations for its implementation
• sustain the unique Fiordland ecosystem over time.