Latest news with #OceansSymposium
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Oceans Symposium Highlights Need To Establish Independent Oceans Commission
Press Release – EDS An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change. The Environmental Defence Society's annual environmental summit kicked off yesterday in Auckland with an Oceans Symposium. Speakers highlighted that the marine environment is in serious trouble. In some parts of the country, the sea is warming three times faster than global trends. We heard that the Hauraki Gulf is in an impoverished state. Sediment is taking its toll. Kina barrens have taken over large tracts of the coast. Ecosystems are responding in worrying ways. New Zealand's marine productivity has decreased rapidly since 2022. As NIWA scientist Matt Pinkerton advised, 'it is as if some threshold has been crossed'. We were warned to expect unpredictable changes. International keynote speaker Dr Salvatore Aricò, CEO of the International Science Council, led the discussion by talking about the importance of integrated marine spatial planning, and 'bottom up' approaches complementing 'top-down' policy. He talked about the need to inform dialogue with science. Linda Faulkner captured a wider concern that translating science into marine policy is a 'massive issue'. But there are excellent examples of science informing collaborative change. We heard about the success of marine protection in Fiordland, which has helped rebuild the rock lobster population there, and the promising work by University of Auckland scientists to restore kelp forests in the Hauraki Gulf. EDS CE Gary Taylor interviewed Fisheries and Oceans Minister Shane Jones, who confirmed he's committed to addressing kina barrens, including by considering rock lobster closures and sourcing funding to assist kina removal. Minister Jones said that his proposed changes to the Fisheries Act wouldn't cripple the paramountcy of fisheries sustainability, which is a good thing given Professor Stephen Wing's no-nonsense statement that the days of expansion of new fisheries into new habitats are over, and that we are now in a regime where restoration of fisheries is the most profitable game. When asked about rolling out regional fisheries plans, including for the Marlborough Sounds, Minister Jones agreed we need more. He said the Hauraki Gulf marine protection bill is imminent, and with respect to marine protection, we should bank 'good enough'. Trawl zones would not be created before the next election, which is disappointing. An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change. Edward Ellison talked about the need for respectful, community-driven and collaborative processes which recognise cultural connection and have strong Treaty Partner engagement. The Symposium concluded with a panel debate about the merits of establishing a National Oceans Commission. There was consensus that such a body had merit, but it would need to be independent from government, bring iwi and hapū to the table, and have teeth. There was little support for another purely advisory body. David Attenborough's recently released movie 'Ocean' was highlighted as a must-watch for those interested in the future of the oceans. Overall, the key message from the Symposium was the need to act now, the need to act together, and the need to put the health of the oceans first.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Oceans Symposium Highlights Need To Establish Independent Oceans Commission
Press Release – EDS An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change. The Environmental Defence Society's annual environmental summit kicked off yesterday in Auckland with an Oceans Symposium. Speakers highlighted that the marine environment is in serious trouble. In some parts of the country, the sea is warming three times faster than global trends. We heard that the Hauraki Gulf is in an impoverished state. Sediment is taking its toll. Kina barrens have taken over large tracts of the coast. Ecosystems are responding in worrying ways. New Zealand's marine productivity has decreased rapidly since 2022. As NIWA scientist Matt Pinkerton advised, 'it is as if some threshold has been crossed'. We were warned to expect unpredictable changes. International keynote speaker Dr Salvatore Aricò, CEO of the International Science Council, led the discussion by talking about the importance of integrated marine spatial planning, and 'bottom up' approaches complementing 'top-down' policy. He talked about the need to inform dialogue with science. Linda Faulkner captured a wider concern that translating science into marine policy is a 'massive issue'. But there are excellent examples of science informing collaborative change. We heard about the success of marine protection in Fiordland, which has helped rebuild the rock lobster population there, and the promising work by University of Auckland scientists to restore kelp forests in the Hauraki Gulf. EDS CE Gary Taylor interviewed Fisheries and Oceans Minister Shane Jones, who confirmed he's committed to addressing kina barrens, including by considering rock lobster closures and sourcing funding to assist kina removal. Minister Jones said that his proposed changes to the Fisheries Act wouldn't cripple the paramountcy of fisheries sustainability, which is a good thing given Professor Stephen Wing's no-nonsense statement that the days of expansion of new fisheries into new habitats are over, and that we are now in a regime where restoration of fisheries is the most profitable game. When asked about rolling out regional fisheries plans, including for the Marlborough Sounds, Minister Jones agreed we need more. He said the Hauraki Gulf marine protection bill is imminent, and with respect to marine protection, we should bank 'good enough'. Trawl zones would not be created before the next election, which is disappointing. An overarching theme of the day was the power of collaborative effort in achieving positive change. Edward Ellison talked about the need for respectful, community-driven and collaborative processes which recognise cultural connection and have strong Treaty Partner engagement. The Symposium concluded with a panel debate about the merits of establishing a National Oceans Commission. There was consensus that such a body had merit, but it would need to be independent from government, bring iwi and hapū to the table, and have teeth. There was little support for another purely advisory body. David Attenborough's recently released movie 'Ocean' was highlighted as a must-watch for those interested in the future of the oceans. Overall, the key message from the Symposium was the need to act now, the need to act together, and the need to put the health of the oceans first.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Revitalising The Gulf At Risk With Continuation Of Bottom Trawling
Press Release – Hauraki Gulf Forum The Hauraki Gulf Forum has continually expressed concern about trawling in the Gulf, and advocates for the removal of fishing methods that damage the seafloor, says interim Executive Officer of the Forum, Katina Conomos. Progress on revitalising the Hauraki Gulf is at risk with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries confirming the Government will not implement trawl corridors. The Hauraki Gulf Forum has expressed concern at the Minister's comments, made at the Environmental Defence Society's Oceans Symposium in Auckland yesterday, and are calling for urgent action to prevent a further decline in the health of the Marine Park. 'The Hauraki Gulf Forum has continually expressed concern about trawling in the Gulf, and advocates for the removal of fishing methods that damage the seafloor,' says interim Executive Officer of the Forum, Katina Conomos. 'Bottom contact fishing destroys benthic habitats and the marine environments they support. We can and should do better than continue to allow these types of destructive fishing practices, it is not sustainable.' Restricting bottom trawling is a significant plank in the Government's response to SeaChange, alongside the creation of Marine Protected Areas through the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill and local marine management by Mana Whenua and local communities through Ahu Moana. 'Our communities want to see the Gulf thrive for generations to come, with abundant fish populations supported by a thriving marine ecosystem. To achieve this, we need urgent action to reverse the ongoing decline in the health of the Gulf.' says Cr Warren Maher, Co-Chair of the Forum. 'Abandoning action on trawl corridors, which has been awaiting a decision since 2023, will severely degrade any progress towards a revitalised Gulf.' Notes: The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is New Zealand's first marine park, established by the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act in February 2000. At 1.2 million hectares (20 times the size of Lake Taupō) it stretches from Te Arai in the north to Waihi in the south and includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Park is the seabird capital of the world, and a whale superhighway, but as successive State of the Gulf reports have shown, it is a shadow of its former self. The Hauraki Gulf Forum The Hauraki Gulf Forum is a statutory governance board established under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 to promote the conservation and management of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand. The Forum consists of representatives from tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands; the Ministers of Conservation, Oceans and Fisheries and Māori Development; and elected members appointed by the Auckland Council, Hauraki District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Waikato District Council and Waikato Regional Council. The Forum is required to present triennial reports regarding the state of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. More information on the Forum and the Marine Park is available at
Scoop
13-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Revitalising The Gulf At Risk With Continuation Of Bottom Trawling
Press Release – Hauraki Gulf Forum Progress on revitalising the Hauraki Gulf is at risk with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries confirming the Government will not implement trawl corridors. The Hauraki Gulf Forum has expressed concern at the Minister's comments, made at the Environmental Defence Society's Oceans Symposium in Auckland yesterday, and are calling for urgent action to prevent a further decline in the health of the Marine Park. 'The Hauraki Gulf Forum has continually expressed concern about trawling in the Gulf, and advocates for the removal of fishing methods that damage the seafloor,' says interim Executive Officer of the Forum, Katina Conomos. 'Bottom contact fishing destroys benthic habitats and the marine environments they support. We can and should do better than continue to allow these types of destructive fishing practices, it is not sustainable.' Restricting bottom trawling is a significant plank in the Government's response to SeaChange, alongside the creation of Marine Protected Areas through the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill and local marine management by Mana Whenua and local communities through Ahu Moana. 'Our communities want to see the Gulf thrive for generations to come, with abundant fish populations supported by a thriving marine ecosystem. To achieve this, we need urgent action to reverse the ongoing decline in the health of the Gulf.' says Cr Warren Maher, Co-Chair of the Forum. 'Abandoning action on trawl corridors, which has been awaiting a decision since 2023, will severely degrade any progress towards a revitalised Gulf.' Notes: The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is New Zealand's first marine park, established by the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act in February 2000. At 1.2 million hectares (20 times the size of Lake Taupō) it stretches from Te Arai in the north to Waihi in the south and includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Park is the seabird capital of the world, and a whale superhighway, but as successive State of the Gulf reports have shown, it is a shadow of its former self. The Hauraki Gulf Forum The Hauraki Gulf Forum is a statutory governance board established under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 to promote the conservation and management of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand. The Forum consists of representatives from tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands; the Ministers of Conservation, Oceans and Fisheries and Māori Development; and elected members appointed by the Auckland Council, Hauraki District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Waikato District Council and Waikato Regional Council. The Forum is required to present triennial reports regarding the state of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. More information on the Forum and the Marine Park is available at
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Revitalising The Gulf At Risk With Continuation Of Bottom Trawling
Press Release – Hauraki Gulf Forum The Hauraki Gulf Forum has continually expressed concern about trawling in the Gulf, and advocates for the removal of fishing methods that damage the seafloor, says interim Executive Officer of the Forum, Katina Conomos. Progress on revitalising the Hauraki Gulf is at risk with the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries confirming the Government will not implement trawl corridors. The Hauraki Gulf Forum has expressed concern at the Minister's comments, made at the Environmental Defence Society's Oceans Symposium in Auckland yesterday, and are calling for urgent action to prevent a further decline in the health of the Marine Park. 'The Hauraki Gulf Forum has continually expressed concern about trawling in the Gulf, and advocates for the removal of fishing methods that damage the seafloor,' says interim Executive Officer of the Forum, Katina Conomos. 'Bottom contact fishing destroys benthic habitats and the marine environments they support. We can and should do better than continue to allow these types of destructive fishing practices, it is not sustainable.' Restricting bottom trawling is a significant plank in the Government's response to SeaChange, alongside the creation of Marine Protected Areas through the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill and local marine management by Mana Whenua and local communities through Ahu Moana. 'Our communities want to see the Gulf thrive for generations to come, with abundant fish populations supported by a thriving marine ecosystem. To achieve this, we need urgent action to reverse the ongoing decline in the health of the Gulf.' says Cr Warren Maher, Co-Chair of the Forum. 'Abandoning action on trawl corridors, which has been awaiting a decision since 2023, will severely degrade any progress towards a revitalised Gulf.' Notes: The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is New Zealand's first marine park, established by the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act in February 2000. At 1.2 million hectares (20 times the size of Lake Taupō) it stretches from Te Arai in the north to Waihi in the south and includes the Waitematā Harbour, Gulf Islands, Firth of Thames and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Park is the seabird capital of the world, and a whale superhighway, but as successive State of the Gulf reports have shown, it is a shadow of its former self. The Hauraki Gulf Forum The Hauraki Gulf Forum is a statutory governance board established under the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 to promote the conservation and management of the natural, historic, and physical resources of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands, and catchments, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people and communities of the Gulf and New Zealand. The Forum consists of representatives from tangata whenua of the Hauraki Gulf and its islands; the Ministers of Conservation, Oceans and Fisheries and Māori Development; and elected members appointed by the Auckland Council, Hauraki District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Waikato District Council and Waikato Regional Council. The Forum is required to present triennial reports regarding the state of the environment of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. More information on the Forum and the Marine Park is available at
