The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries announced that new marine protection areas and restrictions on fishing are among a raft of changes being put in place to protect the Hauraki Gulf for future generations. 

The new strategy, Revitalising the Gulf – Government action on the Sea Change Plan draws on input from mana whenua, local communities, and industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker said. 

The package includes:

• The creation of 18 new marine protection areas and a framework to support the active restoration of some of the most biodiverse regions in the Gulf. The 18 new protected areas will increase marine protection in the Gulf almost threefold.
• A Fisheries Plan with a range of changes to fishing practices and catch settings, including restricting trawl fishing to within carefully selected “corridors”.
• Better monitoring to improve our understanding of the marine environment and track progress over time.
• An expanded programme of protected species management.
• Working together with mana whenua and local communities on local area coastal management.
• Promoting a prosperous, sustainable aquaculture industry.

For further information, please see the Beehive website for the Minister's announcement. 

Additional Resources

DOC - Revitalising the Gulf: Government action on the Sea Change Plan 

MPI - Revitalising the Gulf: Government action on the Sea Change Plan