KEY POINTS:
The underwater habitat in 30 per cent of New Zealand's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will be protected from bottom trawling and dredging, the Government said today.
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton has announced that 17 different areas over 1.25 million square kilometres will be protected from bottom trawling under the Benthic (seabed habitat) Protected Areas initiative.
Together with 19 areas already protected from bottom trawling, 88 per cent of all known active hydrothermal vents, 52 per cent of all known seamounts and 32 per cent of the EEZ would be protected, he said.
The protection orders followed a 2006 proposal by the fishing industry to close parts of the EEZ to protect the seabed and the life around it from the destructive practices of bottom trawling and dredging.
Mr Anderton said refinements to the plan had been made following consultation.
- NZPA
