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Environmentalists are calling an initiative aimed at protecting more of the seabed from bottom-trawling and dredging a "backroom deal" between the fishing industry and Government.
Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton yesterday announced a scheme he said would protect the seabed habitat of 30 per cent of New Zealand's exclusive economic zone - an area equivalent to four times New Zealand's landmass.
It aims to protect underwater features such as cold-water corals, seamounts and hydrothermal vents.
But Cath Wallace, co-chair of the Environment and Conservation Organisations network, labelled the plan a "total con job" and said the "so-called" closures were already inaccessible to commercial fishers.
"They are too deep, too rocky or were shut off anyway," said the Victoria University environmental studies lecturer.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Mike Hagler said the scheme was basically thought up by the commercial fishing industry and did not do enough to protect sensitive areas.
He was angry that it placed restrictions on similarly closing further parts of the exclusive economic zone until 2013, unless significant new information warranted it.
"The problem with this industry proposal, that has been accepted by the Government now, is that it is not based on any sound science," said Mr Hagler. "Areas that need to be examined for closure are not included in the proposal, so they are continuing business as usual."
NZ Seafood Industry Council chief executive Owen Symmans said the benthic protection areas - or parts of the seabed - were the largest marine conservation area in the world.
George Clement, chief executive of industry body the Deepwater Group, said the accord was a significant step forward.
He said trawling had occurred in the past in all but one of the 17 benthic protection areas.
Mr Anderton said the Government made amendments to the industry proposal after consultation with stateholders, including adding extra areas.
He said the plan was consistent with last year's UN General Assembly resolution that called upon states to take action to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Seabed Plan
* Protects the habitat of 30 per cent of New Zealand's exclusive economic zone.
* The area covers 1.25 million square kilometres - equivalent to four times New Zealand's landmass
