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Renewed call to save the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Watchdog wants to see a management plan developed for the whole Bay of Islands Catchment area.
Scheduled to speak at the organisation's annual general meeting tomorrow, secretary David Clarkson says much of the background work has been done. .. "but where do we go from here".
He urges the community, including fishermen, iwi, tourist operators and other groups to get involved:
"How can we create a catalyst to get all the disparate groups working together? How do we ensure the momentum is maintained. How do we ensure that the principle of Kaitiakitanga is used as our over-arching philosophy for the whole of the Bay of Islands Catchment area?"
Kaitiakitanga implies guardianship, caretaking and the best practice for our environment and Mr Clarkson says that a campaign for the Bay of Islands is not before time. An Environment Ministry assessment shows that the Bay is more than 50 percent degraded, "almost to the point of no return".
After the Government dis-established the Bay of Islands Maritime park in 1987, Bay of Islands Coastal Watchdog organised a networking forum called "A Shared Vision for our Bay of Islands". This was pursued over the following year, with encouragement to form a Bay of Islands Vision Trust as a legal entity. The aim was to establish a draft management plan for the whole Bay of Islands Catchment area but due to demands on the time of the major movers and shakers the Vision Bay of Islands concept took a back seat in favour of more pressing problems such as the FNDC Revised Proposed District Plan.
Mr Clarkson said this week, "However, there is once again an increasing groundswell of concern from the public at large, and as a consequence of this, interest in forming community based management groups, not just for the Bay of Islands, but also other areas such as the Hokianga Harbour, Whangaroa Harbour and Doubtless Bay."
The Bay of Islands Watchdog meeting will be held tomorrow, Saturday May 13, 10 am at Wharepuke, Kerikeri.
United front to preserve and enhance the Bay of Islands
A campaign to see a comprehensive management for the Bay of Islands is building steam.
A Bay of Islands Coastal Watchdog meeting held last week drew more than 70 people from user groups, iwi and interested individuals from the wider Bay of Islands, as well as the Hokianga and Whangaroa areas.
The meeting unanimously carried a motion that a composite Management Body be formed, with a suggestion from the floor that such a body be named "LIFEBOI" pronounced the same as lifebuoy. The inaugural meeting of the proposed Management Body is planned for July 23.
Bay of Islands Coastal Watchdog chairperson Maiki Marks, and the secretary David Clarkson, presented papers highlighting the work and journey undertaken by the Bay of Islands Coastal Watchdog, emphasising the importance of the principle of Kaitiakitanga for everybody in the Bay of Islands catchment area.
Both speakers dealt with the long overdue necessity for a local management group for the Bay, similar to that of the now defunct Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park, or the "Guardians of Fiordland."
The vision expressed by the speakers was to see the quality of the Bay of Islands catchment area, whether it be fish in the sea, the foreshore, or water quality, improved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy. At present it is estimated that the Bay is 50 percent degraded.
Workshop groups highlighted grave concern and dissatisfaction regarding the inability of territorial bodies to meet their statutory responsibilities and in particularly the Far North District Council.
Asked what people liked about the Bay of Islands, responses ranged from the natural unspoiled environment, landscape and space, wild and Marine life, climate and history, to the low intensity, low-rise built environment, the generally friendly people and community spirit. "The Bay is home" was a particularly perceptive comment.
People expressed concerns about overfishing, pollution on land and sea, rapid loss of important Bay amenities, the threat to wild and marine life and the continuing inappropriate use and development in coastal Bay of Islands.
Inconsistent and ad hoc planning and decision making were blamed for the presently rapid and uncontrolled development and the pressure this puts on the environment and people. It was apparent that there is currently little trust in the Far North District Council and its ability or willingness to control the effects of Council policies to protect and sustain the Bay's unique and precious environment for the future.
The loss of access to natural resources to real estate interests was of concern for many participants.
Looking to the future, participants envisaged tighter controls for mining and fishing, a stop to rampant subdivision of high conservation value land on the coast, and retention of coastal buffer zones, with upgraded infrastructures to cope with existing demands.
Other issues identified included the need for more marine reserves, re-vegetation programmes to stop erosion, more effective pest control, Kiwi protection, sound environmental management to retain the natural character and biodiversity, and high quality and sustainable urban design concepts without high rise developments.
The main purpose of this July meeting is to form the Management Group from members of the various groups and parties involved in the Bay. Following the formation of this Group, an objective will be to develop a draft Management Strategy for the Bay.
It is hoped that an Advisory Group will be co-opted from territorial bodies - the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation , Landcare, Northern Regional Council and Far North District Council, to guide and assist the Management Group in their decision making.
It is intended to employ a paid co-ordinator.
In the meantime Opua School is holding a marine information evening on June 1 at 7pm. Students will stage a skit and waiata to the community about their experience on the Experiencing Marine Reserves programme. This will be followed by a presentation by Roger Grace. Dr Grace's presentation takes the viewer on a journey through different marine environments, from the Kermadec Islands to Stewart Island. There will then be a chance for discussion about marine conservation possibilities in the Bay of Islands.
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