The Department of Conservation is setting up a group to find Otago's first marine reserves within two years.
Conservation Minister Nick Smith. Photo: RNZ
Conservation Minister Nick Smith on Thursday announced the formation of a 14-person collaborative forum to agree on at least one piece of coast between Timaru and Waipapa Point at the bottom of the Catlins.
The Otago coast is the only one in New Zealand without marine protection, after past attempts centred on Nugget Point were rejected by that community.
Dr Smith says he wants the group to involve the conservation movement, science community, the iwi Ngai Tahu, and recreational and commercial fishing interests.
The forum will need to identify at least one marine reserve site by 2015, he says.
The founder of the Otago Marine Restoration Society says the minister's new group is a great step forward.
Hamish Darling says it does not matter if a new reserve is big or small. He says the important thing is to protect some of the coast so the marine environment is not pushed to collapse.
