Police support Kapiti Marine Reserve compliance efforts

UNDERWORLD: Hole in the Wall Bay, Kapiti Marine Reserve. Photo: Darryl Torckler

Kapiti police will be assisting the Guardians of Kapiti Marine Reserve (GOKMR) and the Department of Conservation with marine reserve compliance and enforcement work in the district.

Senior Sergeant Chanel Chapman, who is the Kapiti police response manager, is keen to support the community-led compliance effort to protect this highly valued marine area, and her policing teams will be keeping a close eye on the reserve and responding to any reports of suspicious activity.

"The Kapiti Marine Reserve is a significant community asset and we are keen to ensure the rules relating to the reserve are enforced.

"Marine reserve infringements can have a serious impact on the marine life within the reserve and we will be doing our utmost to ensure any infringements are dealt with swiftly.

"The penalties for poaching in the reserve can include up to three months imprisonment or a fine of up to $250,000."

Steve Anderton, a retired police officer and member of the guardians network, is pleased to see the local police taking an active role in the marine reserve compliance effort.

"It's great to have the support of our local policing teams to assist with the compliance work.

"The police have the power to arrest and have the required training and capability to deal with any serious offending in a timely and efficient manner.

"We will be working with DoC to ensure Chanel and her local police teams are supported with specific training around the marine reserve laws.

"We are exploring the options for establishing a team of DoC honorary compliance officers (HCOs) for the marine reserve and the local police teams could form the back bone of this team."

Colin Giddy, DoC's Kapiti-Wellington ranger in charge of biodiversity and islands, was delighted at the initiative and welcomes the support and added powers the police bring into the marine reserve compliance mix.

"Enforcement of marine reserve laws can be a tough job at times with issues of remoteness, access and the sometimes confrontational attitude of offenders all adding to the complexity of compliance work.

"Knowing we have the local Kapiti policing teams working closely with us in this area will enable us to respond more quickly and to be more effective with our compliance work.

"We're really pleased to see the guardians taking a collaborative approach to the management of the Kapiti Marine Reserve.

"The reserve is a tremendous community asset with very high biodiversity and natural values that requires ongoing active management and protection. While it may only be a small number of people who infringe on the reserve, the impact of this activity can have long-term consequences for the marine life within the reserve.

"It's fantastic that the guardians are inspiring everyone to work together to ensure it is adequately protected.

"Compliance is one important aspect of the ongoing management of the reserve.

"We are working with the guardians to strengthen the education and advocacy aspects of reserve management too."

To report suspicious fishing activities in the marine reserve during the day or at night call the DoC hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

For more info about the Kapiti Marine Reserve see www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wellington-kapiti/places/kapiti-marine-reserve/

To get involved in the Guardians of Kapiti Marine Reserve go to www.facebook.com/groups/GOKMR/ or email Ben Knight contactbenknight@icloud.com or phone 0221974100