Tapuae, New Plymouth Marine Reserve Application Prepared for the Director General of the Department of Conservation December 2004 Supported in principle by tangata whenua Kia ora tonu te mauri o te moana mo ake tonu To maintain and enhance the vitality of the sea for the future Ngā Motu Marine Reserve Society Incorporated P.O. Box 1029 Taranaki Mail Centre New Plymouth www.seasense.org Application for a Marine Reserve: Tapuae, New Plymouth. RESPONSE FORM To have your say please complete the submission form below, or visit the website www.seasense.org and respond on-line. The full Tapuae Marine Reserve Proposal may be viewed on the website. The closing date is 14th March 2005. Copies of this proposal may be viewed at Puke Ariki, District Libraries, Taranaki Regional Council and the Department of Conservation Area Office, Devon Street. Any submission (objection or submission in support) submitted in response to the notification of the application may be required to be disclosed in response to a request for information under the Official Information Act 1982. If you are an individual (as opposed to an organisation) and would prefer that your name and address be withheld (subject to the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982) please indicate that in your submission. Every submission (including email submissions) should contain the full name and address of the submitter. - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name Name of Group/Iwi Address Ph/Fax/email Tick one box only: I/we SUPPORT the Tapuae Marine Reserve Proposal (please provide reason for support) I/we OPPOSE the Tapuae Marine Reserve Proposal (please provide reason for opposition) I/we WOULD SUPPORT the Tapuae Marine Reserve Proposal if it was modified (write your comments below) The date of the first publication of this notice is 12th January 2005. Submissions close on the 14th March 2005. Send a copy to both New Plymouth Area Office Ngā Motu Marine Reserve Society Department of Conservation P.O. Box 1029 P.O. Box 462 Taranaki Mail Centre New Plymouth New Plymouth Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] Fax: 06 759 0351 Tapuae Marine Reserve Application EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Taranaki coast is known for its wild ruggedness. Near to New Plymouth this energetic and exposed environment is broken by the Sugar Loaf Islands which provide a diverse range of habitats and sheltered areas for marine life. The area has been a focus for marine recreation for New Plymouth residents for generations. The overall area has special significance to tangata whenua. A proposal to establish a marine reserve over a portion of this environment is presented below. It would provide long-lasting protection to approximately half the unique Sugar Loaf Island group, and an adjacent section of subtidal and intertidal seabed that is typical of the Taranaki volcanic apron. It is noted that there is on ly one other marine reserve on the west coast of the North Island, at Kapiti Island . A map showing the proposed marine reserve is shown below. The location of the proposed marine reserve near New P lymouth KEY ……….Sugar Loaf Islands MPA - - - - Proposed Marine Reserve Tapuae Marine Reserve Application i The proposed reserve area and associated islands support a number of diverse and significant ecological and geological features including : extensive intertidal and subtidal boulder reefs, volcanic rocky outcrops, nesting habitats for seabirds, and a haul-out site and northern-most breeding ground for New Zealand fur seals. The proposed reserve features diverse and abundant marine life. The current total for the combined subtidal and intertidal species for the proposed reserve is four hundred and eighteen species, including 100 gastropods, 88 fish, 50 seaweeds, 36 bivalves, 35 sponges, 28 bryozoa, 24 echinoderms, 14 crabs and shrimps, 11 chitons, 13 cnidarians, 8 ascidians, and 6 barnacles. The reserve area receives high recreational use, being in close to New Plymouth and nearby towns, which have a resident population of approximately 50,000. The Sugar Loaf Islands and surrounding coastal area are popular for boating, diving, surfing, sightseeing and fishing. The seascape views have a high amenity value for both locals and visitors. Public consultation on this proposal has been undertaken since 1997. One of the key issues regarding the establishment of the reserve is a perceived reduction in opportunities for fishing and harvesting of marine life close to New Plymouth. The area within the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area is already managed under special Fisheries legislation that restricts the type and amount of fish that can be taken recreationally and commercially. However, there is broad recognition of the need for a no-take area that can provide a refuge and nursery for the range of marine species in the area. The boundaries of the proposed reserve have been carefully selected to maintain quality opportunities for local fishermen within the area of the Sugar Loaf Islands, while protecting the habitats and biodiversity of the marine environment. The boundaries also reflect the interest of tangata whenua in maintaining opportunities for gathering of kaimoana. Tangata whenua have a strong interest in the reserve area which includes numerous wahi tapu (sacred places) and an urupa on a submerged reef (Koruanga or Motukoku Reef). They seek an ongoing role in the management of the area, should the reserve designation be approved. This application was developed with extensive input from members of the public, interest groups and tangata whenua. It is the result of several years of diligent effort, including consultation, scientific study, and gathering of other information. A number of important benefits are expected to accrue if the proposed Tapuae Marine Reserve is established. Biodiversity would be enhanced, and scientific study would enable the local residents to gain an increasing understanding and appreciation of the marine environment, contributing to education, recreation and tourism. It is anticipated that additional benefits would become apparent over time, such as increased numbers of targeted species and their movement from the reserve into areas designated for fishing and harvesting. ii Tapuae Marine Reserve Application TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 THE EXISTING MARINE PROTECTED AREA. ................................................................................ 1 1.2 THE APPLICANT ......................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF APPLICATION ..................................................................................................... 3 1.4 THE NAME ................................................................................................................................. 3 1.5 LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED RESERVE ...................................................................................... 3 2 BACKGROUND TO THE APPLICATION .................................................................................. 6 2.1 THE PURPOSE OF MARINE RESERVES AND THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION . 6 2.2 THE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING A MARINE RESERVE ................................................................ 6 2.3 THE ORIGIN OF THIS PROPOSAL AND THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS ............................................ 6 2.4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION .............................................................................................................. 8 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED RESERVE ..................................................................... 10 3.1 COASTAL GEOLOGY.................................................................................................................. 10 3.2 CLIMATE .................................................................................................................................. 11 3.3 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................... 11 3.4 SEAWATER PROPERTIES ............................................................................................................ 12 3.5 INTERTIDAL AND SUBTIDAL HABITAT OF THE PROPOSED RESERVE ........................................... 13 3.6 BIODIVERSITY .......................................................................................................................... 19 3.7 OTHER MARINE LIFE ................................................................................................................. 23 4 CULTURAL, AMENITY AND COMMERCIAL VALUES ...................................................... 24 4.1 CULTURAL VALUES ................................................................................................................. 24 4.2 AMENITY VALUES .................................................................................................................... 24 4.3 COMMERCIAL VALUES ............................................................................................................. 27 5 JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROPOSED RESERVE .............................................................. 28 5.1 MEETS THE PURPOSE OF MARINE RESERVES ACT 1971 ........................................................... 28 5.2 BOUNDARY SELECTION ...........................................................................................................