The Environmental Defence Society today released its oceans case study on the
Marlborough Sounds. The case study is part of EDS’s broader oceans reform project
which is developing concrete recommendations for oceans management reform.
“The Marlborough Sounds is an iconic and unique marine area with an intricate web
of marine inlets and islands that contain a wide diversity of marine life comprising
one tenth of the nation’s entire coastline,” said EDS Policy Director and case study
author Raewyn Peart.
“The Sounds has long attracted people, and it has a rich history of Māori and
European occupation. It is a popular place for fishing and tourism, and it supports
more than half the country’s aquaculture industry.
“However, the Sounds is now suffering severe and ongoing degradation. Fish stocks
are depleted, marine farm productivity is reduced, and important marine habitats and
biodiversity have been lost.
“Key stressors are high levels of sedimentation, damage to seabed habitats from
bottom trawling and dredging, over-harvesting of fish stocks and climate change.
Any one of these stressors is damaging on its own but, cumulatively, they have had
a devastating impact on the Sounds marine ecosystems.
“There are many good things happening in the Sounds, supported by iwi, including
mussel and kelp restoration efforts. However, they are small scale and need greater
support. They will also only succeed if other stressors on the marine system, such as
sediment and over-harvesting, are addressed as well.
“The case study identifies a range of initiatives that could support restoration of the
Marlborough Sounds including:
“We plan to present the findings of the case study to the community, in the New Year,
as part of a community workshop.
“Urgent action is needed to bring the Marlborough Sounds back to health,”
concluded Ms Peart.
For more: Raewyn Peart 021613379 raewyn@eds.org.nz
Access the Marlborough Sounds Case Study Report here