MP supports marine park

By CLAIRE TREVETT

A plan for a big marine park along Auckland's west coast has some hefty backers, with Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and a local MP heading the charge.

New Lynn MP David Cunliffe and Mr Harvey are both on the working group behind the proposed park, which would stretch from South Kaipara Head to Port Waikato and into Manukau Harbour as far as Big Muddy Creek.

Yesterday Mr Cunliffe called for calm over fears raised at public meetings by recreational fishers and other people who use the area, including horse riders, dog walkers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts.

"This is the start of the consultation process. It is in no way a done deal but it is a thing whose time has come."

The proposal envisages small pockets of marine reserves in ecological hotspots, where a no-take rule on marine life would apply.

It would also include a marine mammal sanctuary to protect the rare Maui's dolphin and areas covered by traditional Maori fishery management tools, such as rahui (bans).

A board would be set up to manage the park.

But opponents say the area is already protected by legislation.

They were also suspicious that the board would have too much power and the concept would lead to the area becoming a fully protected marine reserve.

Helensville MP John Key slated the proposal as a "feel-good" bureaucratic waste of time.

"My understanding is that the [marine park] designation doesn't change a whole lot. The things you could no longer do there are things you can't do anyway."

He would be concerned if the park was a precursor to turning the whole area into a marine reserve.

Mr Cunliffe said no proposals for marine reserves within the park would progress without consent of coastal users.

"The development of any micro reserves would have to be by agreement with the community concerned, including the recreational fishers. Nobody could impose a full reserve without consultation."

Option4 recreational fishing group spokeswoman Trish Rae said the park was unnecessary because legislation already covered the concerns outlined in the proposal.

Dolphins were protected by a ban on set-netting and fisheries legislation could protect shellfish. If enforced, animal control bylaws would keep dogs off sensitive dunes that hosted nesting birds.

But Mr Cunliffe said it was more practical to have all the issues under one umbrella.

West Coast Marine Park Working Group convenor Ken Catt said the park's boundary was the mean high water springs and it would not restrict recreational activities.

However, the group's proposal includes a plan which discusses further protection of public land, and the establishment of conservation areas under the QE II National Trust or by other covenant.

A final public meeting will be held at 7pm in the Laingholm Community Hall on Monday.

READERS' REACTION:

I think the marine reserve is a great idea. People are too selfish and use up all of our resources. Let's face it, the police are so understaffed they have trouble keeping murderers off our streets; they do not have the time or the resources to police public fishing.

Create a marine reserve, I say. We have a beautiful country that, for some bizarre reason, we are to scared or unwilling to preserve.

Jennie Allan

* * *

I live in Muriwai and think it would be wise to make the area a marine park. The number of people that use the area responsibly is huge but the one's who don't cause far too much damage.

I use the beach two or three times a week and most of the activities that bring people out this way are luxuries which people seem to think are their rights. However I am in two minds about whether activities such as land yachting are harmless.

Michael Thompson

* * *

I support creating marine parks and reserves around Auckland.

The beaches and harbours around Auckland are its greatest glory but the coastline is not infinite and its bounty is not endless. People are using and taking more and more from the seas around Auckland.

As marine reserves and parks are created, some present activities will have to be curtailed, but their loss will be far outweighed by the benefits and pleasure of the protected coastline to the whole community, now and in the future.

It is short-term pain for long-term gain.

Ann Graeme

* * *

I have swum, surfed and walked this coast for more than 40 years and now it is time to better protect it. Even 20 years ago you could harvest a few mussels and cook them on an open fire on the beach. The rocks are now barren of shellfish, stripped bare out of ignorance and greed.

I was recently given a startling reminder of what our coast had lost in recent years when I tramped along some of the beaches of the Fiordland National Park.

Shellfish, bird life and dolphins abounded.

The rocks bulged with mussels, and in one day numerous pods of dolphins were sighted close to the shore.

Stephen Smythe

* * *

Need you ask if it is a good thing to have a maritime park around and along as much of our coastline as possible? Four-wheel-drive vehicles really do a lot of damage to sensitive plants, especially when they are growing on sand. The dunes do come back and protect the beach when they are planted and left untouched. I really believe everyone, including the drivers of these vehicles and the owners of horses and dogs, would appreciate Forest and Bird's effort to make a better coastal environment for everyone. Anthea Hatfield It seems ironic that those lobbying against a marine park on Auckland's west coast are doing so on the basis that increased protection would mean decreased recreational opportunities.

Given that the present laws do not appear to be working in this area, do those who oppose a marine park have any better ideas for protecting this area and the wonderful recreational activities it affords?

Lesley Foster

* * *

I am a resident of Muriwai Beach. The people of the coast do not want the reserve. The west coast takes care of itself.

It is very precious. Leave it alone.

Jenny Stark

* * *

* What do you think? E mail: newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz