Aotea/Great Barrier Marine Reserve
The proposal to create a marine reserve off Aotea/Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf was declined by the Minister of Fisheries in May 2008. The Minister's decision ends the 2004 Aotea (Great Barrier) marine reserve application, but is not the end for marine protection in the area.
Future marine protection for Aotea/Great Barrier will be progressed through the Marine Protected Areas Policy. This policy, announced in 2005, replaces a fragmented and ad hoc approach to marine protection, with a more strategic and comprehensive approach.
Background information for the application
The Department of Conservation Auckland Conservancy notified its application for a marine reserve off the north-eastern coast of Great Barrier Island on 2 August 2004. The submission period closed on 2 October.
Coastline of Great Barrier Island between
Miners Head and Aiguilles Island
More than seven distinct underwater habitats and hundreds of marine species, including over 80 fish species, stand to be protected in the 50,100-hectare area, which spans from The Needles to just south of Whakatautuna Point and out to the 12-mile limit.
Rocky shores, golden sands, clear oceanic waters, sub-tropical fish, sponge-studded deep reefs and coral trees all feature in the proposed marine reserve area, which is two thirds the size of Tongariro National Park.
DOC considers this area to be of outstanding value for its high quality habitats and diversity of marine life. As a fully protected marine reserve it would be an asset for scientific study and for the public to enjoy in its natural state.
The marine reserve proposal was modified from that consulted on in 2003 - the Whangapoua Estuary was excluded and the southern boundary moved north.
A full description of the proposal is contained in the Aotea (Great Barrier) Marine Reserve Application document, which can be viewed below or you can request the printed version by phone or email from the Auckland Conservancy.
The Aoteroa (Great Barrier) Marine Reserve Application
Front cover
Due to the size of the document it has been separated into the following sections:
Section One:
Contents, Introduction, Application and Background (Chapters 1 to 3) (PDF, 188K)
Section Two:
Natural values, Implications (Chapters 4 and 5) (PDF, 234K)
Section Three:
Justification and Proposed management (Chapters 6 and 7) (PDF, 96K)
Section Four:
Summary, References and Appendix 1-5. (PDF, 682K)
Minister of Conservation to decide
The Minister of Conservation will decide on the Aotea (Great Barrier) Marine Reserve Application after considering submissions, in particular, if users or adjoining landowners would be adversely affected by the marine reserve.
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