Bay of Islands Maritime Park Inc

Marine Protection Areas Group: inaugural meeting

7:00 pm Tuesday 1st December
Treaty Room 3
Copthorne Hotel, Waitangi

1. Confirm agenda

Proposed agenda for the inaugural meeting of the MPA Group, BOIMP reviewed and agreed.

2. Attendance/introductions

Attendance: Vicky Froude (chair),Catherine Langford, David Clarkson, Derry Godbert, Peter Clark, Julie Kidman, Lewis Kidman, Anne Gibb, Jeremy Gibb, John Dawn, Liz Vickerstaff , Vince Kerr, Chris Richmond, ,

3. Apologies

Apologies: Roger Grace, Jacquie Reed, Robert Willoughby, John Booth, Lynne Alexander

4. Group objectives

Discussion of group objectives – what do we want to do/ achieve.

Objectives:

• Promotes network MPAs
• Range of representative areas
• Large enough to be viable
• Restore to original condition
• Diverse enough to provide insurance function
• Include areas that would enhance carbon sequestration
• Some to be easily accessible to public
• Be able to demonstrate economics benefits of MPA and visitation
• Designed to enable commercial operators to switch to service ‘non take’ activities
• Possible seasonal closure of “middle-ground” snapper spawning area
• Proactive cooperation with MinFish, the fishing industry and tangata whenua
• Integration of traditional Maori protection strategies (taiapure, mataitai, rahui) along with the respective rohe, and scientific/reserves
• Areas with high biodiversity values need to be preserved
• Implement New Zealand’s international convention obligations (NZBS)
• Recognise historic and current importance of recreational and sportfishing in the Bay of Islands

Discussion about current legislation associated with DOC and Ministry of Fisheries and customary fishing practice. Also discussion about the specific nature of the Bay of Islands as a low level commercial fishing area, but significant game fishing and recreational fishing destination.

Objectives discussion also acknowledged that in order to achieve the above objectives there needed to be a public campaign strategy that was carefully implemented to optimise public buy-in (demonstrating how a reserve is beneficial) and minimise antagonism. Need to lobby influential figures (John Carter etc.), tangata whenua. Must have an integrated approach that respects rohe and customary rights of hapu (further discussion later).

Recognition that there is likely to be conflict with fisheries management/lobby groups (re property rights/protection commercial interests) in spite of indisputable scientific evidence in support of marine reserves.

5. Initiatives to date in the Bay of Islands marine environment and identification of opportunities for synergies

Key theme: government processes haven’t helped Bay of Islands so an alternative way of working needs to come out of community consensus (c.f. other processes e.g. OS 20/20 have). Find an effective voice, mount an effective campaign underpinned by a powerful set of scientific criteria. Group reviews past and present initiatives.

1985 Auckland Region Marine Reserves Plan
This was one of the original applications for a BOI marine reserve that failed, probably due to failure to implement a full communications strategy. The concept was in same lines as objectives discussed for this group, with a network of 6 different marine reserves covering a range of habitats. Derry Godbert, as part of the group involved in putting forward the plan, reports on outcomes and failings. Overwhelming public support (attendance on 600 at public meeting, 3000 forms distributed with 1000 returning, all in favour of the marine reserves plan except for one negative). Group acknowledges that it is important to learn from the 1985 project and see importance of giving same level of commitment to communicating with highest level of accountable bodies as to local public.

Rahui Deep Water Cove
The hapu at Te Rawhiti have announced a 2-year rahui at Maunganui Bay (Deep Water Cove) and are now seeking statutory protection from MinFish for this rahui. Statutory protection for the rahui is required as the customary rahui has no legal standing, and therefore is often not recognised by the general recreational fishing public.

Te Puna Mataitai application
Brief report. One fisherman blocking progress of application.

Prompts discussions about obligations of Ministry of Fisheries regarding customary fishing restriction practices and recognition of difficulty of managing relationship between hapu and the authorities e.g. rahui at Deep Water Cover is under traditional authority, but carrying this to a statutory level is difficult. Vince warns that too much focus on assisting with the enforcement of customary restrictions can dissipate focus on developing a marine reserve: it is important to incorporate in discussion regarding location of a marine reserve, but the primary focus has to be a marine reserve itself.

6. Hokianga Accord: Hopefully George Riley (apparently the incoming chair of Hokianga Accord) will talk to us about current status at next meeting.

7. A possible dive and snorkel trip to Goat Island marine reserve? Can be helpful in informing group members; illustrating what we are trying to achieve and acquiring more knowledge about the issue. Lewis Kidman reports on his school’s trips to Goat Island and Matauri Bay where comparative study revealed on 3 species at Matauri Bay and 55 species observed at Goat Island. Important to use resources available to help group communicate to wider audience.

8. What do we do next?

First task to agree essential criteria as suggested by Roger Grace. Criteria discussed (as supplied with agenda) and amended to ensure unanimous agreement. These criteria were agreed bearing in mind the requirements of marine reserves in the 1971 Marine Reserves Act: “It is hereby declared that the provisions of  this Act shall have effect for the purpose of preserving, as marine reserves for the scientific study of marine life, areas of New Zealand  that contain underwater scenery, natural features, or marine life, of  such distinctive quality, or so typical, or beautiful, or unique, that their continued preservation is in the national interest.”

i) All agree that there is a need for at least 10%-25% of the Bay to be in highly protected marine areas (ie no-take marine reserves)

ii) All agree that a network of marine reserves complements other appropriate management and activities in the Bay.  Change: substitute word complements for supports due to risk that marine reserves could be seen as a fisheries management tool.

iii) We don’t need to wait for catchment issues to be under control before we put a network of marine reserves in place.  Both actions need to proceed together.

iv) We have a reasonable map of the physical attributes of the Bay now, although further biological information has yet to be added.  This is, however, adequate to get on with the job of discussing where no-take areas could go and should not be used as an excuse to delay progress.

v) When it comes to fitting in aquaculture areas, protection of biodiversity values has higher priority and any conflict should be resolved in favour of biodiversity protection first, with aquaculture taking second place.

Lines on the map: Discussion about whether to put marks on the map. Acknowledged that local, practical knowledge is what we need to apply now on top of base physical substrate data supplied by Vince Kerr and Roger Grace’s study (ref. BOIMP AGM minutes for report, 30 Oct 2009).

Vince uses example of Doubtless Bay group who projected map on to white board and then started drawing lines using best local knowledge available. Suggestion that MPA group should replicate this process for Bay of Islands – a “thinktank” meeting inviting key stakeholders. Proposal that group members open discussion by providing a series of options to consider (see tasks). Lewis Kidman will invite school classmates to contribute to ideas for areas, possibly bringing Springbank on board as supporters of the group. When thinking about areas, don’t be constrained in approach – need to be open to all factors/variables. Used examples of Kapiti reserve that crosses land and water, embracing habitats of things that cross boundaries – can apply to BOI (ref. Project Island Song).

Identification of initial tasks and information to collect

ACTION POINTS:
1. Stakeholder communication framework (David identifying who the groups are and the right people within them – includes everyone from BOIMP groups to DoC, every marae, tour operators etc.)
2. Assemble library of relevant information and resources to access (John Booth, Chris, Vicky, Vince)
3. Develop framework for campaign strategy (Committee – Julie + Jeremy + Derry = links with David)
4. Negotiate preferred timeline for developing application (stepwise elements of consultation, refinement and application) (David, Liz, Julie)
5. Define tasks (time + dollars) for each stage of application development
6. Distribute habitat map – handing out those available hard copy (Vince Kerr )
7. Establish website and develop pages (Catherine and Liz)
8. Prepare draft MR boundaries (everybody by Thurs 10^th Dec) and coordinate responses (Liz to collate, Vince help with maps). Before drawing on map three things: Where? Why? What is each individual prepared to commit?

MOTION: David moves that an application for a Bay of Islands marine reserve is submitted in 2010. Julie seconding. Carried.

Discussion about whether this is actually achievable. Needs substantial human resource and funding. Can it be found? David says yes. Personnel issue to be addressed.

Vince Kerr agrees to assist with the application if group continues momentum and gathers sufficient material and support.

9. Next meeting: provisionally daytime Tuesday 9^th Feb at the Copthorne, time TBC