A Marine Reserve for Tiritiri Matangi
The restoration on Tiritiri Matangi has focussed on the land. The land based scientific reserve is developing well. It provides an example of the regeneration possible in a land-based reserve. Now it is proposed that a marine reserve should be located in the sea around the island. Tiritiri Matangi is near the marine reserve at Long Bay. It is thought to be in a good location to add to a network of protected marine areas in the Hauraki Gulf. Around Tiritiri Matangi there is a wide range of marine environments. It includes a variety of habitat types from sheltered and exposed rocky shores to muddy seabed and underwater rocky reefs. A marine reserve would stop people from fishing or taking seafood of any kind. Currently many people use the waters around the island for recreation and fishing. Others have cultural affinities with the area. Consultation is part of the proposal process and recreational fishers and iwi have been asked to respond to the proposal.
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