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Rules and regulations
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is responsible for managing marine reserves.
Similar sorts of rules apply in marine reserves as in national parks on land. Some activities are restricted or prohibited to protect the marine life in the area.
Enjoy your visit to the marine reserve, but please note the following rules:
- All marine life is totally protected
- No fishing, netting, taking, or killing of marine life
- No polluting, disturbance or damage
- No removal of any natural thing from the marine reserve
Recreational, educational and scientific activities
Recreational, educational and scientific activities are encouraged as long as they do not disturb or endanger the plant and animal life or natural features. A permit is required from DOC for any scientific research within the reserve.
Commercial rock lobster pot storage
Because of limited suitable space for storing rock lobster pots in Fiordland, five areas within four marine reserves are designated for commercial rock lobster fishers to store live lobster caught outside the reserve in holding pots and to store inoperable rock lobster pots (with doors open).
- These five areas are shown on the maps for the following marine reserves:
- Hawea (Clio Rock)
- Kahukura (Gold Arm)
- Taumoana (Five Fingers Peninsula)
- Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound)
They are not open for use by recreational fishers.
Right of passage
Please note that right of passage through the marine reserve is not affected by the reserve status of the area.
Contacts
More information on these marine reserves in Fiordland is available from: