Application for a marine mammal viewing permit by Jackson Bay Charters Limited
Have your say on a marine mammal permit application by Jackson Bay Charters Limited to commercially view marine mammals from a motorised vessel, in the Jackson Bay area. Submissions close at 11:59 pm, 25 August 2026.

This application is notified under regulation 11(1) of the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a marine mammal permit for a term of 10 years from the date of approval.

Applicants details

Applicant: Jackson Bay Charters Limited
Application number: 125654-MAR
Location of proposed activity: Jackson Bay area (Open Bay Islands to Cascade Point), South Westland
Permission type: Marine Mammal Protections Regulations Permit

Summary of proposal: Application for a marine mammal permit to operate commercial tours from a motorised vessel to view whales, seals and dolphins in the Jackson Bay area between Open Bay Islands and Cascade Point. The application is for a term of ten (10) years and proposes trips of 2 to 8 hours, up to 3 trips per day, with a maximum of 1 vessel operating at any one time.

Application document:

How to make a submission

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.

Submissions close at 11:59 pm on 25 August 2026.

1. Prepare your submission

Record what you think on the submission form. 

2. Send us your submission

You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to:

Email: askpermissions@doc.govt.nz
Subject line: Submission on 125654-MAR

Post:

Director-General
Department of Conservation
C/- Dean Harliwich
Christchurch Shared Services
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act.  If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.

Submissions are supplied to Jackson Bay Charters Limited. They can then comment on submissions.

What happens next

After submissions close:

  1. DOC will analyse and consider all submissions and comments on the submissions.
  2. DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
  3. The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.

Decision

No details at this point.

Contact

For questions about the application or the submission process you can contact Dean Harliwich, Permissions Advisor: dharliwich@doc.govt.nz