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A pioneer in the creation of marine reserves says New Zealand is falling behind other countries in its efforts to preserve the ocean environment.
Dr Bill Ballantine said the country was once a world leader in marine conservation but had dropped the ball and was now trailing Australia in efforts to protected marine habitats from fishing pressures.
The outspoken marine biologist was among those who in a 12-year campaign pushed for the establishment of New Zealand's first marine reserve at Leigh, and is a former director of Auckland University's marine laboratory based there.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the opening of the reserve, best known as the Goat Island marine reserve.
But Dr Ballantine said the momentum had stalled.
Originally it had been Labour Party policy to have 10 per cent of New Zealand's territorial waters protected as marine reserves. But the goal had since shifted towards 10 per cent "marine protected areas", which he said could mean "practically anything or nothing".
He said a marine protected areas policy and implementation plan released for public consultation by the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries this year was difficult and obscure, with no timelines, deadlines, stages or targets.
Dr Ballantine said the emphasis needed to return to deciding where marine reserves should be established and let other protection measures follow.
"If you don't get the reserves in place you won't get anywhere."
He was also upset that it had been agreed "for no given reason" to do nothing for the next six years about protection in the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which extended 200km off the coastline, except what had already been agreed with the fishing industry.
"New Zealanders have not been told or asked about this. There has been no consultation - it's undemocratic."
While a proposal from fishing industry representatives to establish benthic (ocean bottom) protection areas in the EEZ had been accepted, the policy document provided no maps to show where they were.
Barry Weeber, co-chairperson of the Environment Conservation Organisation, said marine reserves coverage in New Zealand waters was inadequate and failed to represent a range of sites and distinctive marine environments.
Mr Weeber thought there was a "dysfunctional relationship" between Doc and MFish in their policy development, which was focused more on fishery control than protection.
But Tom Chatterton, MFish manager deepwater and national issues, said the ministry and and Doc had been working constructively on a marine protected areas policy and other other initiatives.
The policy would ensure a more strategic approach to marine protection and sought to protect a wider range of marine habitats.
Mr Chatterton said MFish and Doc were considering public submissions on the policy and would advise their ministers later this month.
"MFish and Doc regret that neither Mr Weeber, nor the organisation he represents, took the opportunity to submit on such an important document."
Mr Chatterton said 12 new marine reserves had been established since 2000 and a further two had been approved and would be established in the near future.
"This progress demonstrates that Government remains committed to marine protection."
As for offshore marine protection, the Government had agreed to protect around 32 per cent of New Zealand's EEZ from bottom trawling and dredging.
"This is far more protection than most other nations have managed."
