New Zealand to create 5 new marine reserves off South Island

Otago: Five new “no-take” marine reserves covering 308 square miles off Otago on the South Island will come into force next month. It’s New Zealand’s first major marine protection in a decade.

The reserves, now named “Te Au Roa o Te Rakihouia,” will protect key habitats for hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), pakake (New Zealand sea lion), tutumairekurai (Hector’s dolphin) and kelp forests. Extractive industry will be banned.

The reserves will be co-managed with Kāi Tahu, the local Māori iwi. Nine Kāi Tahu rangers are being trained to monitor the areas.“For Otago’s wildlife, this will be game-changing,” said Jamie Fowler of WWF-NZ. “These protections will give some of our rarest species the breathing space they desperately need.”

A sixth proposed reserve was blocked after a legal challenge by the fishing industry. A decision on that is pending.

Conservation groups say they hope the move builds momentum for more marine protections.