There is increasing concern about the level of harvesting from rockpools. Photo / 123rf
There is increasing concern about the level of harvesting from rockpools. Photo / 123rf
Auckland’s west coast environmental groups fear their beaches will be stripped of their sea life once the Whangaparāoa ban on taking shellfish begins.
A two-year ban, which will take effect from March 12, has been brought in to stop the over-collection of marine life from rockpools and surrounding coastline. Theclosure will be enforced by fishery officers.
Luella Bartlett, from Protect Piha Rockpools, said they have seen comments online reacting to the ban and about harvesting kaimoana on the west coast.
“We’re seeing posts saying the ban on Whangaparāoa happens on the 12th of March. Let’s get in and take as much as we can as fast as we can up to our limits,” Bartlett said.
“The second type of post we’re seeing and hearing is that they’re looking for other places to go. The west coast is being tagged, including places like Whatipū, which is a scientific reserve.”
A pin dropped at Whatipū in a conversation about harvesting marine life. Photo / Red Note
The Herald has reviewed social media posts where users spoke about where to look for shellfish. One had a pin dropped on the map in Whatipū.
“They say go here, the mussels are really good, or the barnacles are really good, and this is the time you go in.”
That sort of language being used, said Bartlett, where it’s okay to take it from anywhere as long as it’s legally allowed. Bartlett said they don’t seem to know it’s a scientific reserve.
“It’s really important to make sure that everyone knows it’s not just one particular race or cultural group. It’s happening across the board. It’s everywhere. It is a human problem.”
Parliamentary under-secretary for oceans and fisheries Jenny Marcroft visited environmental groups in Muriwai on Monday last week to hear their concerns.
“Progressive governments haven’t really tackled this issue,” Marcroft said. “They’ve been too afraid to jump in and say actually, no, our coastlines are really important to us.”
Marcroft said the rockpools faced pressure from population growth and that time is of the essence to protect the rockpools.
Undersecretary for oceans and fisheries Jenny Marcroft visiting environmental groups at Muriwai to hear their concerns. Photo / Jenny Marcroft
She advised the west coast groups on how the two-year ban was enacted via the Fisheries Act 186a closure process.
“It is led by iwi. Then it goes out for public consultation, and that’s when all the community groups and locals can put input into it and come out and support it.”
Ultimately Marcroft said the law was out of date and needed to restrict harvesting.
Bartlett agreed, and said there needs to be legislation to protect marine life throughout the Auckland region, not just in Whangaparāoa.
Most people followed the law, but the law wasn’t enough protection. If people were allowed to harvest from rock pools, they would, Bartlett said.
“That is why we’re saying, let’s put education with legislation, because education takes a long time. The ecosystem needs time to recover, and we can educate while that’s happening.”
