New Zealand announces huge marine reserve; fishing and mining industries

The announcement made by the Prime Minister shocked the seafood export sector, which is said to have an annual worth of $822 million.

The government also aims to protect the healthy marine life on the sanctuary, consisting of various species of whales, dolphins, seabirds and three of the world’s seven endangered sea turtle species.

“(It) is one of the most geographically and geologically diverse areas in the world”, he said. The people of the country put high value on its oceans and coasts, which are essential culturally, economically and environmentally. “It contains the world’s longest underwater volcanic arc and the second deepest ocean trench at 10 kilometres deep”, he said in a statement, AFP reported via Yahoo News.

As a fully-protected sanctuary, there will be no fishing, mining, or oil, gas, and mineral prospecting allowed.

The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will become an important part of a network of Pacific Ocean sanctuaries, including US Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, the Australian Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve and the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve recently announced by the British Government.

“The Kermadecs is a world-class, unspoiled marine environment and New Zealand is proud to protect it for future generations”, said Key.

He says Te Ohu Kaimoana hold a significant quota for Maori in an area now within the sanctuary, but weren’t consulted which is in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.

But Environment Minister Nick Smith says the claim is a red herring and there is “strong support” for the sanctuary.

However, a few fishing and mining companies have been surprised with Key’s announcement.

George Clement, chairman of Seafood New Zealand, told the media they had had “no forewarning from government” and that the industry “needs time to consider the full implications”. The sanctuary, according to Key, is twice the size of the New Zealand’s landmass, with a scale much larger than any of the current protected areas of the country.