Conservation gains, but big challenges ahead for DOC

11.45am

Pest control efforts by the Department of Conservation since 2000 have slowed the decline in native species populations, says Conservation Minister Chris Carter.

Mr Carter was commenting on a report released today by officials reviewing the first three years of implementation of the Government's Biodiversity Strategy 2000-2020.

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy Third Annual Report 2002-2003 is the first annual report on the strategy to give early indications on whether objectives are being met.

"The department has slowed down ongoing decline in indigenous biodiversity and is doing well at specific sites under intensive management," Mr Carter said.

"The report suggests that more New Zealanders and government agencies will need to get involved in conservation to help DOC in protecting native species biodiversity."

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy was launched in February 2000. It addresses New Zealand's responsibilities under the Convention on Biological Diversity, which it ratified in 1993.

It is a 20-year programme with $187million funding over the first five years.

It seeks to halt the decline in New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity. Around 80 per cent of native forest cover and 90 per cent of wetlands have already been lost.

Coastal dunes now exist only as tiny remnants and all North Island rivers and rivers on the eastern side of the South Island have modified catchments.

More than 500 New Zealand plant and animal species are categorised as threatened (marine species not included) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Department of Conservation:

NZ Biodiversity Strategy 3rd Annual Report 2002/03

Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment