A Partnership to Protect Fiordland's Marine Environment

Red coral. Photo: Department of
Conservation

Biosecurity New Zealand is working in partnership with the other government agencies and the Fiordland Marine Guardians to protect Fiordland's unique marine environment from invasions of plants or animals.¹

Invasive species could be introduced into Fiordland's waters on fouled boat hulls, fishing gear, dive gear, or other equipment. Efforts to improve Fiordland's biosecurity are part of the new, community-initiated Fiordland Marine Area and management regime. This initiative recognises that invasive species could be detrimental to Fiordland's special marine environment.

Fiordland's unique marine environment is created by the combination of high mountains, heavy rainfall and rainforest. Rain washes through the leaf litter on the forest floors and into the fiords, staining the surface waters a dark tea colour. The stained fresh water floats on top of the heavier seawater, creating a layer about three metres deep across much of the fiords. The huge reduction in light caused by this layer enables deep sea species like red and black corals and seapens to live at much shallower depths than normal.

Orange anemone. Photo: Ken Grange,
Department of Conservation

Remarkably, Fiordland's rock wall communities are as diverse as coral reefs. Towards the fiord entrances, waves mix the fresh water with salt water and sea life begins to change. Here, seaweeds and a variety of organisms make up a diverse and productive coastal community.

Fiordland's vast size and seemingly robust nature do not fully protect it from the impacts of increased human access. In 1995, some concerned locals, prompted by changes they saw occurring in Fiordland, formed a community group (the Guardians) with the following vision: "That the quality of Fiordland's marine environment and fisheries… be maintained or improved for future generations to use and enjoy."

Members of the Guardians included commercial and recreational fishers, environmentalists, charter boat and tourism operators, scientists, community representatives and tangata whenua.

The Guardians consulted with a wide range of people who work and play in Fiordland about how management of Fiordland's marine resources might be improved. The Guardians then proposed a package of management changes designed to ensure the sustainability of Fiordland fisheries and better care of the marine environment.

NZ fur seal. Photo: Department of
Conservation

In April 2005, the Fiordland Marine Management Act established the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area and a set out a management regime to bring the Guardians' vision for Fiordland into reality. The management regime entails a collaborative approach to management involving the Guardians, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for the Environment, Environment Southland, and Biosecurity New Zealand.

The new approach to managing Fiordland's marine environment allows for both sustainable use and protection, with measures tailored to Fiordland's different habitats and needs. The measures are the result of a "gifts and gains" style of negotiation between groups that resulted, for instance, in commercial, customary, and recreational fishers voluntarily agreeing to stop fishing in certain areas. The Guardians selected these areas for the value of their habitats and marine life. These areas now form eight new marine reserves.

To address the risk of invasive species being introduced and establishing in Fiordland, the Guardians called for the development and implementation of a biosecurity plan. Biosecurity New Zealand secured funds from the Government to develop a biosecurity plan in collaboration with the Guardians and other Government agencies. Further funding will be required to implement the plan once it has been agreed.

Tubeworms. Photo: Department of
Conservation

Everyone who visits Fiordland can help protect this special part of New Zealand by doing the following:

• Clean your vessel's hull before entering the Fiordland Marine Area.
• Dispose of everything removed from the hull onto land.
• Clean fishing gear, dive gear, kayaks, and any other equipment that will enter the water before coming to Fiordland.
• If you suspect you have seen a plant or animal that is new to Fiordland, please phone 0800 80 99 66.

For more information about marine reserves in Fiordland, contact:

• DOC Visitor Centre,
  Lakefront Drive,
  Te Anau, 03 249 7921.

For copies of marine recreational fishing rules and other fishing information, contact:

• Ministry of Fisheries on 0800 4 RULES (0800 478 537).

The material for this article was adapted from a publication prepared by Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Environment Southland, the Fiordland Marine Guardians, and the Ministry for the Environment.

• John Willmer,
  Senior Adviser, Pest Management,
  National Coordination Team
  Post Clearance
  Biosecurity New Zealand
  phone 04 894 0238,
  john.willmer@maf.govt.nz

⁽¹⁾ In 1995 a community group formed called the Guardians of Fiordland's Fisheries and Marine Environment. This group proposed an integrated approach to managing Fiordland’s fisheries and marine environment. The Fiordland Marine Management Act 2005 renamed the group the "Fiordland Marine Guardians" and formally established the group as a statutory body.

Page last updated: 30 April 2008