Protected Seamounts
Nineteen marine protected areas (shown) have been created recently, within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. These areas protect the environment of underwater mountains — seamounts — where marine life proliferates. There are 500 seamounts in New Zealand waters (and 500 ‘sea hills’), comprising one fortieth of the EEZ (see Forest & Bird, May 2000). Some have already been destroyed by trawling practices which strip the seabed. Prior to 1978, New Zealand’s responsibility only extended out to |2 nautical miles offshore. Following the United Nations Law of the Sea negotiations, New Zealand passed the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act which extended responsibility to 200 nautical miles offshore.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/FORBI20021101.2.37
Bibliographic details
Forest and Bird, Issue 306, 1 November 2002, Page 31
Word Count
107Protected Seamounts Forest and Bird, Issue 306, 1 November 2002, Page 31
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