Key points
This indicator sets a baseline for monitoring and reporting the changes in the spatial extent of the protection of Environment Waikato’s coastal areas. The results are presented as the spatial extent (ha) of the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), defined as the area from Mean High Water Springs (MHWS) to the 12 nautical mile territorial waters boundary. Results are presented separately for the Coromandel Peninsula, and Firth of Thames and the West Coast.
- The Areas of Significant Conservation Value (ASCVs) offer some legal protection to most of the region’s harbours and estuaries.
- Marine reserves account for only a very small proportion (approximately 800 ha or 0.08%) of our territorial waters.
- Taiapure and Rohe moana (local fisheries) occupy a significant area of the Waikato region Coastal Marine Area (16,000 and 50,000 ha respectively), but are limited to the west coast.
- The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park accounts for by far the largest proportion, (of the areas of coastal protection monitored) of our territorial waters.
Source: Environment Waikato
What agencies are doing
- Management of the Coastal Marine Area is complex and involves a number of agencies, including but not limited to regional councils, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Fisheries and community (harbourcare) groups. This indicator reflects the combined actions of all agencies, not just Environment Waikato.
- Environment Waikato aims to raise the public’s awareness so that people understand the impacts that their actions can have on the environment.
- Under the Resource Management Act, Environment Waikato is responsible for managing some land use activities and water quality. Together with the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries, it is also responsible for managing the Coastal Marine Area.
What you can do to help
- Find out more about your local environment, e.g. by joining a Landcare, Harbour care or Beachcare group.
- Get involved in environmental issues, e.g. make a submission on a plan, support the establishment of a network of protected marine areas.
- Consider the impacts of where and how you live.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcome we are seeking to achieve by monitoring the extent of protected coastal areas is:
- Our coastal and waterway environments are restored and preserved and access to them is maintained.