Poor Knights Islands gain protection from shipping

Ships entering a new restricted area around the Poor Knights Islands and its protected marine sanctuary off Northland's east coast will soon be able to be reported to the Maritime Safety Authority.

Legal power for the MSA to enforce a ban on shipping in the area takes effect from December 30.

Vessels more than 45m long are being excluded from an offshore coastal area extending five nautical miles out to sea between Bream Head, east of Whangarei, and Cape Brett, at the southern entrance to the Bay of Islands.

The International Maritime Organisation this year accepted the MSA request for the area to be designated as a mandatory "area to be avoided" because it is vulnerable to a marine disaster.

The Northland Regional Council, together with marine conservationist Wade Doak, with support from the Department of Conservation and other groups, pushed to have the area protected after caves on the islands were contaminated and wildlife destroyed in a 1999 bilge oil spill from a passing ship.

The spill formed a slick 7km long and 2km wide that coated the islands' coastlines and enveloped seabirds.

MSA studies showed the area is one of the country's busiest shipping routes and a high-risk oil spill zone with tankers and freighters sailing to and from Marsden Pt oil refinery and the port of Auckland.

A voluntary MSA ban has kept laden tankers outside the Poor Knights but other large vessels have still been able to pass between the islands and the mainland.

Reports from the public of any ship sailing into the area can be made to MSA Auckland and Whangarei offices, with details if possible of the vessel's name, colour and markings, location and direction of travel.

Although the ban is legally enforceable from next week, with violators liable for a fine of up to $30,000, an MSA spokesman says there's expected to be a settling-in period while the international maritime community is educated about the requirement to avoid the area.

A marine notice outlining the restriction has been issued and is being distributed to shipping agents and owners. MSA inspectors are spreading awareness of the banned area through ship visits and examination of logs and charts.

A chart of the area has been published by Land Information New Zealand.