...And Off the Taranaki Coast

Forest and Bird, Issue 291, 1 February 1999, Unnumbered Page

...And Off the Taranaki Coast

marine reserve off the north Taranaki coast is to go ahead but its size has been cut in half in response to submissions from fishing interests. The Parininihi Marine Reserve will cover 1812 hectares and protect almost all of the Pariokariwa Reef, but an area almost as large, and including the Waikiekie Reef, has been excluded from the reserve. The amended reserve boundaries run from Pariokariwa Point in the south to Katikatiaka Pa in the north. "Marine conservation is very contentious and there are highly polarized viewpoints in Taranaki about the reserve proposal, says the Minister of Conservation, Dr Smith. ‘I have decided to proceed and protect the most ecologically significant parts of the reserve but also to exclude

almost half of the proposal to reduce the impact on recreational and customary fishing’ The proposed reserve will be New Zealand’s 15th, and the second marine reserve on the west coast of the North Island after Kapiti. The reserve is 5.5 kilometres long and includes 3 kilometres of coastline adjoining the White Cliffs. Overall the marine reserve amounts to 2 percent of the Taranaki coastline. "The Pariokariwa Reef is a magnificent marine garden of unique sponge life and soft corals, said Dr Smith, announcing his plans. ‘It is a marine treasure chest of national significance and marine reserve status can easily be justified. It is as precious as the kauri forests of Northland or the kiwi populations of Whanganui National Park.