Expert comment: Revitalising the Gulf

Today the Government has released the Revitalising the Gulf, a strategy to restore the health and mauri of the Hauraki Gulf.

The strategy is in response to the call for action made by the 2017 Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan. In the document, the Government outlines actions it will take, including 18 new protected areas, limiting trawl fishing and working with us to co-develop the project proposal for a case study of fisheries indicators and monitoring framework.

Julie Hall, Challenge Director, comments:

“I’m pleased to see that the strategy recognises the critical role of mana whenua, and the need for holistic, ecosystem-based approaches to marine management. It also rightly notes that there are many and varied activities – on both land and sea – that affect marine ecosystem health, and therefore the economic, ecological, cultural and social values that people hold. Coasts and oceans are a central part of New Zealanders’ lives and identities, so improving marine management benefits us all.

“We’re looking forward to working with Fisheries New Zealand and Department of Conservation on the case study referenced in the strategy, to co-develop the fisheries indicators and monitoring framework.”

Details about this project will be made available here on our website once the project proposal has been finalised.