Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc

OCT 2009 AGM MINUTES

BOI Maritime Park Group, Minutes BOIMP

BAY OF ISLANDS MARITIME PARK: MINUTES of AGM

10am, Saturday 31^st October 2009.

Treaty Room 1, Copthorne Hotel, Waitangi.

Karakia and welcome.

ATTENDANCE

Liz Vickerstaff, Chris Richmond, Vicky Froude, Rob Reed,

Brett Smith, Shirley Meloni, Richard Griffiths, Jon Hampson, Peter Jensen,

Garry Colebrook, Di Maxwell, Melanie Midgley, Susan Henare, Rolien Elliot, Philip Grey, Katrina Upperton, Rolf Mueller-Glodde, Lew Cormack, Roger Grace, Vince Kerr, Peter Richards, David Clarkson, Dean Baigent-Mercer, Brad Windust, Jo Hill, Joe Carr, John Dawn, John Booth, Peter Clark, Rod Brown, Dene Harrison along with several that did not sign in.

An explanation of meeting order was given: due to several conflicting meetings on related issues, the meeting is arranged to try and best accommodate maximum attendance from those attending the other meetings.

APOLOGIES

Ruth Marsh, Transition Town KK; Paul Padfield, Guardians of the BOI; Steve McNally, Councillor FNDC; Sally MacCauley, Councillor FNDC; Helen Moodie, Landcare; Ken Paterson, CEO NRC; Kathy Mortimer, NRC; Alex Harbuz; George Riley, Te Runanga a Iwi o Ngapuhi; Robert Willoughby, Te Rawhiti; Helen Harte, Te Rawhiti; Peter Honey, Tourism Solutions; Joe George, Waikare Marae; Mita Harris, DOC; Maria and David Manning; Derry Godbert; Mark Farnsworth Chairman of NRC (rep by Peter Jensen NRC)

Motion: Chairman Peter Richards moved that the apologies be accepted.
Seconded by David Clarkson.
Carried.

MINUTES OF JUNE 2008 SGM.

Motion: David Clarkson moved that the previously circulated minutes of June 2008 SGM are accepted as a true and proper record.

Seconded: John Booth

Carried unanimously

FINANCE

Financial Statement to 31/3/09.

Motion that financial statement produced by BOI Taxation Ltd be accepted.

Moved: John Booth

Seconded: Di Maxwell

Motion carried.

Membership fees as set to remain unchanged – No objections.

Need for a Membership Treasurer (a very neglected area) – to be discussed in general  business.

Phil Tyler of BOI Taxation Ltd, Kerikeri confirmed as Hon. Auditors.

PRESENTATION 1

“Natural Character Assessment for Northland”.

A scientific survey based on attendees responses to a series of 40 slides from around Northland  -  Vicky Froude.

This research for Vicky’s PhD thesis is part of a longer term strategy for developing a national measure for natural character.

Methodology is for participants to score “naturalness” of a series of 40 Northland terrestrial and marine images that combine varying degrees of the built environment and the untouched or natural world (0-100 with 100 being totally natural) to assess how far the built environment detracts from natural character.

All present took part in the survey, results of which will be circulated once completed.

PRESENTATION 2

“How can we restore the waters of the Bay”.

An illustrated presentation from the noted Marine Biologist and underwater  photographer, Dr Roger Grace.

Firstly Roger introduced the Whangateau Harbour exhibition photographs – an estuary in great condition near Warkworth with visibility of 15m. Quality of harbour partly down to large number of cockles that filter water. Small catchment, relatively little silt, upper harbour has clean sand flats. The exhibition draws attention to natural values of the harbour and also draws attention to 10-point plan to preserve its quality. Images for sale. Looking for community groups that can host the exhibition.

Moving on to the Bay of Islands: How can we restore the waters of the Bay?

Would like waters restored to condition previous generations experienced. Photographic examples of historic wealth of fisheries – mullet in Kaipara, shark fisheries in Northland.

150yrs land clearance and change in use has altered landscape, Kerikeri Inlet as representative example. How to improve?

1. Minimise runoff – improve land management
2. Provide safe havens for the fish – easier in the outer part of bay where influence of sedimentation not as strong. Inner bay going to take long time to recover.

HOW?

Riparian fencing: Keep stock out of streams in catchment areas to reduce sediment and nutrient overloading. Oyster farms are vulnerable to pollution. Forest regeneration should help reduce sedimentation.

Control fishing: Despite the expectation of an endless supply, we seem reluctant to give fish safe havens in which to thrive and population to rebuild.

Snapper fishery example of where management has seriously affected the ecology of the Bay by fisheries maintaining population on basis of maximum sustainable yield but on hugely decreased percentage of the virgin biomass.

Result is no big fish left, which reduces genetic diversity and takes out key predators, consequent downstream ecological problems.

Kina barrens known to be a major visual example of overfished snapper – the kina have chewed out the kelp forests which destroys habitat for other marine life.

Shallow rocky reefs now kina barrens – like trying to grow forest in a paddock full of sheep.

Example of Goat Islands zoning before/after demonstrates the effectiveness of marine reserves to restore kelp forests.

Various examples of rocky reefs shown – Mimiwhangata, Tapeka Point were shown, giving before and after views.

Survey of crayfish reinforces importance of marine reserves to restore declining cray population.

Roger Grace advocates a network of marine reserves to restore some kind of balance.

But how to achieve this? DOC is no longer applicant in its own right for Marine Reserves (although they will support applicants).

MPA Forum process – The marine protected areas process was intended to enable the set up of MPA’s over the whole country to provide 10% protected areas.

The NE Bioregion MPA Forum was meant to commence in July this year, however the Govt have pulled the plug on funding for this project.

Project on hold. No MPA forum in Northland for quite a few years.

Community driven MPA’s

We are now reliant on local communities and NGOs to push for marine reserves.

Doubtless Bay proposed Marine Reserves used as an example: Kerr and Grace provided them with the information to move forward with planning and at a recent meeting with community, ensured not only scientific principles of representation, but also local knowledge and social impact.

To establish an effective marine reserve network a core of highly protected areas should be selected based on following principle:

-          Representation (all habitats)

-          Replication (several examples)

-          Network design (work together – ecological linkage between reserves – need to be series scattered)

-          Viable amount (>10%<40% no take areas – ref Greenpeace aspirations)

Conclusion: as a result of the coastal analysis done by Kerr and Grace, the data is now available to give sufficient backing to any applications for a marine reserve in Northland. Map will be publicly available.

Just do it!!! Now !!!!

QUESTIONS

Q: What are the financial benefits of marine reserves (David Clarkson)

VK: Study showed revenue of $12.5 million p.a for the Rodney County from the Goat Island Reserve and a figure of about $9m p.a for Poor Knights. Marine reserves certainly support and boost the local economy – they make sound economic sense, particularly in tourist areas.

Q: John Booth asked Vince to elaborate on the map presented.

VK: This is as good as it can get in a GIS system. Means of analysis now available. Map is at 1:10,000 scale using variety of methods, combining different types of data set.  In terms of planning, combining with local knowledge there is now a workable system. Can just keep adding levels complexity – sea grass mapping, high end NIWA data and photos etc. Scope of mapping is Mangawhai Head to Cape Reinga so the Bay of Islands has a context in the whole of the NE coast. The map will be online and delivered with a technical report that will be ready in about a month.

Q. Chris Richmond asks about quantitative transect data that usually supports marine reserve applications. Is there any for BOI?

VK: Yes, from two sources, including Oceans 20/20.

Q. Peter Richards asks if there are any particularly badly degraded areas coming out of this study?

VK: Hard to identify any particularly bad areas from this straight away. That needs to come as result of further study by our own groups comparing against known measures etc.

Vince Kerr stated that he is ready to support the BOIMP group in a technical capacity should the group wish to make an application for a marine reserve.

Q. The West Coast MPA Forum was overrun by fishing interests. Public reaction was “how small can we make things?” Would a reserve structure have to be one large block or separate parts? How do we make this workable to the public?

Roger Grace: You are always going to have more trouble creating big marine reserves than small ones. Within Bay you could probably have small ones with larger ones on the coast (uses example of Great Barrier reserve planned to extend 12 nautical miles off coast -why did this one fall over? Consultancy process and power of veto – too much impact on fishing and local iwi.) A bigger reserve does a bigger job – supporting hapuka, cray, snapper etc.

Q. Why was Little Barrier not made marine reserve?

RG: Huge uproar from fishermen (recreational and commercial) – it does make sense as a discreet area, a nature reserve on land – everything going for it. Kerr and Grace would support the idea.

Rod Brown: Given fishing lobby – BOI is a well known fishing area – is it wise to demonstrate how unthreatening a smaller reserve is to people opposed to a large one, to start the process of change? Change management is the biggest issue. Is it sensible to take small achievable steps?

RG: Points out that change is underway in schools. This should filter through in time. Risk of proposing small reserve out of context of a network is that this could be perceived as a thin end of a wedge and generate opposition. If you plan a whole network and start with just one of those, it may be easier to achieve the gradual change. It’s a political decision, but at least this mapping gives starting point to discussion.

TEA/COFFEE BREAK

GENERAL BUSINESS

Restructuring Proposal for the Bay of Islands Maritime Park group.

The linear structure of the group proposed to be altered to be just an umbrella organisation (with a charitable trust status) that operates in supervisory, collating, lobbying capacity. All associated sub groups to  operate with autonomy whilst reporting back to the BOIMP group regularly. A Flow Chart showing the proposed structure was shown throughout the discussion, and was used as the basis for discussion.

Proposal:

• Officers reduced to just the Chair and Coordinator.
• The Committee to comprise the coordinators/chairs of the subgroups.
• BOIMP to hold 4 meetings per year, one of which is to be the AGM.
• Meetings to be all public meetings, with reports from all the subgroups.
• A keynote speaker at each meeting.

David proposed a motion that the above proposals, based on the Flow Chart, are instituted.

Second: John Booth

Carried.

Various questions of clarification raised about whether constitution needs altering to reflect new status and the role of the stakeholders as independent bodies who form a network with the BOIMP group e.g. Guardians of the Bay, local Hapu etc. No change envisaged. Also query as to who can utilise charitable status for funding – agreed that only sub groups are eligible as stakeholders operate independently.

Motion: As Peter Richards not seeking re-election, Vicky Froude proposed as new Chairperson of the BOIMP group by David Clarkson.

Vicky makes an excellent choice with her background as an Ecologist working in both the terrestrial and marine environments, plus being well versed in meeting procedure, having been the President of several long standing societies.

Second: John Booth. Carried.

As there were no other willing takers, David agreed to continue as Coordinator – all agreed.

Brief overview of individual working groups (using Flow Chart on screen).

BayCare Working Group.

BayCare is developing and instituting Catchment Management and Riparian Protection plans to reduce the level of sediment running off the land into our waterways, damaging our ecosystems and biodiversity. The initial project is the Waitangi River Catchment including the concept of a “Golden Valley” with planting of Kowhai amongst the riparian filter under-story plantings. This group is set for the next 12 months, but welcomes farmers or people with specialized skills to join. George Riley is Chair of the group (apologies) so Chris Richmond presented a précis of the group’s work to date.

Chris talked about issues facing these waterways including lack of shading, nutrient overload, sediment, contamination from stock etc. An issues and options analysis has been completed and projects are underway, including Landcare application for SMF funding for Waitangi upper catchment. Rod Brown invited to speak to the group re riparian buffer zones also as wildlife corridors.

Oceans Survey 20/20 Bay of Islands Project (OS 20/20 BOI)

The $5.5 million NZ Govt Oceans 20/20 BOI Project, of which the BOIMP is an integral part, commenced October 2008 and will be completed by June 2010. The project will generate high quality scientific data dealing with coastal processes, seabed habitats, biodiversity, water pollution and sedimentation etc. The two committees for this project are government appointments while the project is in progress. On completion in June 2010, there will be a need for people with appropriate skills to interpret data from the project so that it can be utilised to best extent.

John Booth discussed the work underway. details are available online at : http://tinyurl.com/yaex84r

Baseline data is being established including sources and rates of sedimentation that will allow comparisons over time. To fully utilise this data, we need an organisation working alongside eg DoC or NRC.

Funding necessary in order to make the best use of data.

Seagrass Restoration Project.

Studying the historical and present extent of seagrass beds in the BOI, identifying likely causes of seagrass decline, leading to development of management options to reduce/mitigate likely detrimental impacts so that remaining seagrass can be protected/enhanced. Implementation will focus initially on the Eastern BOI. Dr Jacquie Reed of NRC and Dr Fleur Matheson of NIWA lead the project. Committee is drawn from the Te Rawhiti hapu and members of the Eastern BOI Preservation Society. Members of the BOI Underwater Club have also expressed an interest.

John Booth introduces project on behalf of Robert Willoughby, explaining how the hapu are providing valuable oral and photographic record. Flip side of coin is the expansion of the mangroves  – is there a role the group may be able to suggest for future, using Environment Waikato research as example, of the approx 50% increase of mangroves, compared to the approx 50% decrease in the seagrass beds.

Marine Biodiversity in Schools (EMR).

The full biodiversity education programme for BOI schools , conducted by the Experiencing Marine Reserve (EMR) group is on hold until funding becomes available. No discussion.

Funding and Membership Group.

Goal to secure funding for 2 x 0.5 facilitators, one for the marine environment and one for the terrestrial environment. Helen Moodie is at present applying for funding, which would include a terrestrial facilitator, for the Waitangi River Catchment Project. As a registered charity BOIMP Inc has significant new avenues for funding. Call made for anyone with experience and willingness in fund raising and also call for volunteer to take on the role of Membership Treasurer to set up and handle systems.

Anybody with the skills and willingness to take on these roles would be enthusiastically welcomed by David Clarkson.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA’s) Working Group.

A working group has just been set up with Vicky Froude as coordinator and Robert Willoughby as 2^nd coordinator. John Booth, David Clarkson, Hugh Rihari, Paul Padfield & the Guardians of the BOI, John Dawn & the BOI Underwater Club along with Vince Kerr and Rolien Elliot from DOC have already expressed enthusiastic support. After listening to Roger’s presentation, this is certainly an area we must concentrate on.

This is an area that is crying out for urgent attention. Any volunteers wishing to help develop MPA’s in the Bay to contact Vicky, Robert or David.

Marine Park Working Group.

In 1978, the BOI Maritime & Historic Park was set up, administered by a community based management group on behalf of the then Land & Survey Dept. This was a very successfully run Marine Park, but was dissolved, along with other Quango’s by Govt about 1987.

A groundswell of concern from the public stimulated us to seek protective legislation for the coastal and marine environments of the BOI (similar to Fiordland and in Australia). The Jervis Bay Marine Park of NSW proposed as good model. Along with Vicky, Vince and David there needs to be a group to continue pushing for protection of our taonga.

Vince Kerr said few words highlighting the success of the NSW marine parks and stresses that existing Acts – Fisheries and Marine Reserve Acts in NZ don’t meet needs. Special legislation is required to achieve kind of protection that will really make a difference.

Vote of thanks moved by John Booth for the work done by David Clarkson. Carried by acclamation. Sincere thanks were expressed to the Copthorne for their ongoing hospitality and assistance. Susan Henare expressed her thanks for the dedication of the group, then closed the meeting with a karakia.

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