Bay of Plenty Council to protect three reef systems near Motiti Island

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has advised that the new Motiti Protection Area comes into effect on 11th August 2021, creating three protection areas around Motiti Island where the taking of all plants and animals (including fish and shellfish) will be prohibited. To protect the reef systems, anchoring on these reefs will also be prohibited.

Those three areas comprise of Ōtaiti (Astrolabe Reef); including Te Papa (Brewis Shoal), Te Porotiti, and O karapu Reef, Motuhaku Island (Schooner Rocks) and Motunau Island (Plate Island).

In 2018 the Environment Court released an interim decision that found the outstanding attributes and values of these reef systems needed better protection.

On 24th April 2020, the Environment Court released its final decision which directs Bay of Plenty Regional Council to implement new rules within its Regional Coastal Environment Plan to protect the three reef systems near Motiti Island and complete scientific monitoring to inform future integrated marine management solutions.

A start date for the new Motiti Protection Area rules was confirmed at Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Strategy and Policy meeting in early May.

Chairperson of the Strategy and Policy Committee Paula Thompson says the marine protection area is being introduced to safeguard the indigenous biodiversity that relies on these reefs.

Thompson notes “this marine protection area is the only one of its kind in Bay of Plenty and a really important and unique opportunity for us to better understand the health of the marine environment and the ecosystems it supports. We’ve already begun monitoring these reefs and the taonga species that call it home but once in place we’ll be looking to establish a benchmark so in the future we can see if the protections are working.

“We recommend anyone who goes boating in this area becomes familiar with the extent of the protection areas on our website.”

The new rules will apply to everyone equally, including customary, recreational and commercial fishers, divers, those spearfishing, even if you’re catch and releasing.

For more information go to the Motiti Protection Area project page. 

Image courtesy newzealand.com/int/feature/motiti-island/