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To ensure that all marine life is fully protected and to allow the marine ecosystem to be restored, no fishing is allowed in the Kapiti Marine Reserve.
Blue cod, Kapiti Island Marine Reserve
Over half of the waters around Kapiti Island have been excluded from the reserve, and remain open to fishing. This includes the most popular recreation waters, Paraparaumu Beach and areas sheltered from the prevailing winds. The Waikanae River mouth remains open for whitebaiting only.
Within the marine reserve, plants and animals may not be removed or damaged. The stocks of exploited species such as rock lobster, paua, kina, blue cod and snapper are allowed to regenerate. In time the reserve should return to a more natural state. The ecological recovery will be easy to measure against a baseline survey of Kapiti's marine life which was completed before the reserve came into effect.
Surveillance and enforcement of the reserve is carried out by the Department of Conservation. Warranted officers undertake regular patrols.
Emphasis is placed on educating people about the value of marine reserves and the need to protect them. Information signs are located at public boat launching sites, from Waikanae to Raumati Beach, and information sheets and maps are freely available. However, illegal actions such as taking or damaging marine life, habitats or objects in the reserve will be met by firm enforcement.