Southland's coastal plan proposes protection for Fiordland waters

Forest and Bird, Issue 293, 1 August 1999, Page 30

Southland's coastal plan proposes protection for Fiordland waters

and

—Jenny

Tony Enderby

rotective provisions of a plan proposed by the Southland Regional Council for Fiordland are already being put into effect, prior to their formal approval. Marine farming is now banned from the internal waters of the Fiordland area. The plan notes the unique underwater ecosystem of Fiordland and recognises the scenic and natural beauty of the region. New charter boat operators must obtain a resource consent before beginning charter operation in Fiordland. The upper level of charter boat numbers operating in Fiordland will be set following a hearing process. Foreign vessels of more than 100 tonnes are banned from the internal waters of Fiordland, apart from Milford Sound, Thompson Sound, Doubtful Sound north of Rolla Island, Breaksea Sound west of the Acheron Passage, Acheron Passage, and Dusky Sound west of Acheron Passage. Heritage site protection covers the wreck of the ship Waikare which sank in 1910 near Stop Island in Dusky Sound. This forbids the removal, modification or destruction of the wreck. The site of the first recorded shipwreck in New Zealand, that of the Endeavour in 1795, is also covered, totally protected under the Historic Places Act 1993. The Southland coastal plan has a section noting that Fiordland is a popular scuba-diving location. The objectives of this section of the plan are ‘to recognise, maintain and enhance the diving values of Fiordland’s waters.’ The expected outcome from the policy is to ensure ‘the diving values of Fiordland’s water are maintained and enhanced,