The Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy document developed by the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment¹ recommended the creation of 8 additional marine reserves in Fiordland, in Sutherland, Bligh, Charles, Bradshaw, Doubtful, Breaksea, Dusky, and Long Sounds. The document describes these areas (and the 2 other marine reserves in Fiordland) as containing “a range of habitats, communities and diversity that represent Fiordland’s marine environment”. In 2005, central government made these new marine reserves a reality by legislating for them through the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005.

Prior to 2005, there were 2 marine reserves within the fiords, one in Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) and the other in the Te Awaatu Channel at the Gut in Doubtful Sound.

Over a number of years there has been a lot of discussion concerning the creation of additional marine reserves within the internal waters of Fiordland. Among others, the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society has investigated possible options for further protection of the marine areas in Fiordland. The values of the internal waters of Fiordland are outstanding. In 2003 the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment completed a strategy document (“the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy”) that proposed the protection of representative areas within Fiordland by creating 8 new marine reserves. This recommendation was implemented through the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005.

The Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy also identified “China Shops”—these are described as “small discrete areas that are outstanding for the abundance and/or diversity of animal communities ... mixed animal and plant communities or ... particular animal species”. Of the 23 China Shops, 10 are now within the boundaries of marine reserves.

Currently within the Southland Region there are 10 marine reserves in the following areas of Fiordland:

A further marine reserve has also been declared in Paterson Inlet, Rakiura/Stewart Island area, namely Ulva Island—Te Wharawhara (1 075 ha). This marine reserve was Gazetted on 18 November 2004.

Eight of the Fiordland Marine Reserves were established as a result of the work of the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment. This group comprises Ngāi Tahu, commercial and recreational fishing representatives, charter and tourism operators, and community interests, all of whom have a direct involvement in the Fiordland marine environment. The group has been supported by the Southland Regional Council, the Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Conservation, and the Ministry of Fisheries.

Ensure that in considering applications, under the Resource Management Act 1991, for activities within marine reserves and within China Shops in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, the activities are compatible with the values and purposes of these areas.

Explanation—The purposes and functions of Marine Reserves are established under the Marine Reserves Act 1971. The Resource Management Act 1991 controls activities in the coastal marine area including the erection and placement of structures, commercial surface water activities, and aircraft landings and take-offs, and applies to areas that have marine reserve status, as well as the China Shops identified in the Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy.

The Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy was produced by the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment in June 2003, and describes China Shops as follows:

China Shops that are not within marine reserves are recognised in Appendix 3A, which identifies the general location of these China Shops, but not the specific location. Any person undertaking an activity within these areas can contact either the Southland Regional Council or the Fiordland Marine Guardians to determine whether or not their activity is likely to have an impact on the China Shop in the vicinity. Each China Shop has its own values and potential threats to these values will vary.

The purpose of the Marine Reserves Act 1971, as well as the threats to marine reserves, will be taken into account when processing and considering whether or not to grant a coastal permit for an activity within a marine reserve. The values and potential threats to China Shops will be taken into account when processing and considering whether or not to grant a coastal permit for an activity within a China Shop.

Communication with the Fiordland Marine Guardians and the Department of Conservation will be essential in achieving this part of the policy.

The cleaning and repainting of structures and ships on land and within the coastal marine area can result in discharges to coastal water, antifoulants in particular, which lead to discolouration, deposition, and adverse effects on aquatic life. Structures, equipment, and ships that have been in coastal waters where invasive organisms are present pose a potential risk to the Southland coastal marine environment if these organisms, or viable parts of these organisms, have become attached to these structures, equipment, or the hulls of ships and then consequentially arrive in Southland without having been cleaned or disinfected before entering Southland’s waters. Invasive organisms attached to these structures, equipment, or the hulls of ships can be discharged into the marine environment either accidentally, through spawning or being knocked off, or deliberately, through cleaning. To the extent that it is practicable, both deliberate and accidental discharges, including discharges from the cleaning and repainting of structures and ships on land and within the coastal marine area, should be avoided.

Minimise the risk from hull cleaning, structure cleaning, and the introduction of invasive organisms from ships, structures, and equipment from outside this region.

Explanation—Ships, equipment, and structures that have been in coastal waters outside the Southland region have the potential to introduce invasive organisms into the Southland coastal marine area, if they are not appropriately cleaned before entering Southland waters. Of particular concern is the protection of sensitive and unique areas such as the internal waters of Fiordland. Where there is a known risk, for example, if a ship or structure is relocating to the Fiordland area from an area where there are known invasive organisms such as Undaria, measures should be taken to minimise that risk.

Provide for hull cleaning of ships in circumstances where materials containing bioaccumulative, toxic, or noxious substances, or viable unwanted or pest organisms, do not enter or are not released into the coastal marine area.

Explanation—Boats are periodically cleaned to remove marine growths from their hulls, or other maintenance work is undertaken that has similar effects to those that occur during hull cleaning. Where this is undertaken with appropriate controls the effect is insignificant. However, where there is the potential to discharge bioaccumulative, toxic, and noxious substances and growths of unwanted or pest marine organisms, this can have significant adverse effects, particularly where unwanted and pest organisms become established in Southland waters.

If a ship has operated inside the territorial waters of a foreign country or has spent time in New Zealand ports where unwanted or pest organisms are established, and has not subsequently cleaned its hull, potential exists for these organisms to be attached to the hull of the ship. This is particularly true if the ship has spent time in shallow coastal waters such as in ports or bays and coves. The waters of the Southland coastal marine area are relatively free of these types of organisms and it is important that this status is maintained, if the highly significant areas of Fiordland, Rakiura/Stewart Island and the sub-Antarctic islands are to be protected from infestation.

Require that any ships to be used in commercial surface water activities, in Fiordland, and any structures or equipment that are to be erected or placed within the internal waters of Fiordland that have been in coastal waters in other parts of New Zealand or in foreign waters, be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before entering, or being placed in, Fiordland’s internal waters.

Explanation—Through hull cleaning or through the presence of organisms on ships, structures, or equipment that enter or are placed in coastal waters, a potentially invasive organism could be introduced to Fiordland’s internal waters.

Fiordland is a globally unique environment. It has high value marine resources and biodiversity, including species found only in this part of the world. Many habitats are found at unusually shallow depths because of the influence of the freshwater layer in the fiords. The internal waters of Fiordland are particularly sensitive to the introduction of unwanted or pest organisms. It is appropriate to reduce the risk of the introduction of a potentially invasive organism being introduced to Fiordland, by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all ships that are to be used in commercial surface water activities and any structures and equipment that are to be erected or placed within the internal waters of Fiordland. This should be done before the ships, structures, or equipment that have been in coastal waters in other parts of New Zealand or in foreign waters enter, or are placed in, Fiordland’s internal waters.

Recognise that the erection and/or placement of structures in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area must be consistent with the very high natural values of that area.

Explanation—Fiordland contains amenity and natural character values that are very high due to the pristine nature of the area. It would be inappropriate to allow the erection of structures that are incompatible with the character of this area. The sensitive communities and habitats of marine reserves and China Shops may be particularly affected.

To provide for anchoring and mooring in China Shops in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area where these activities are not incompatible with the special values of these areas and the cumulative adverse effects of these activities are not likely to be significant.

Explanation—Anchoring and mooring are not necessarily incompatible with protecting China Shops. However, in China Shops the adverse effects of anchoring or mooring (such as the disturbance of the seabed and destruction of marine communities) have the potential to be significant. Where activities pose a threat to these values, the areas should be identified and specific controls put in place to prevent damage.

The establishment of mooring facilities in recognised anchorages listed in Appendix 6, where such facilities are available for the use of all mariners, is a permitted activity provided that—

“except that this rule does not apply to:

Moorings in the 5 locations listed in rule 11.7.7.13 are prohibited.

Any activity involving anchoring or placement of moorings in the following areas of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, defined in Maps 2 to 6 of Appendix 3A is a prohibited activity:

Explanation—The natural values would be severely compromised if vessels anchor or moor in these locations.

while protecting those values in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area from potential damage caused by diving.

Unfortunately, the relative rarity of many of these habitats at diveable depths and the fragility of some of the species within these habitats puts them at risk from the impacts of divers. Many of the colonies of corals, in particular, are very slow growing. This makes habitats containing these species particularly vulnerable to accidental breakage or partial damage, which coupled with slow growth has the potential to adversely affect their long-term viability.

while protecting unique habitats, and fragile species in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area from the adverse effects of diving.

However, research has shown that in frequently dived areas damage can be caused to fragile species, such as corals, from fins and inappropriate diver behaviour or accidental damage. In the long term, unchecked damage from divers can threaten the long-term viability of these unique habitats.

Other types of organisations with a management role in the coastal marine area include Statutory Advisory Groups such as the Fiordland Marine Guardians, Fish and Game Councils, and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.