KEY POINTS:
Beachgoers are being urged to be sensitive to the environment by keeping off sand dunes and not littering.
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society advocacy manager Kevin Hackwell said summer fun at the beach could sometimes come at nature's expense.
"But sticking to a few environmental dos and don'ts can make sure the only impact you have on our fragile coastal environment while having fun in the sun this summer is your footprint in the sand."
Mr Hackwell said 4WD vehicles and quad bikes had become a problem on many Auckland and Northland beaches, causing damage to native dune plants and vulnerable ground-nesting birds.
"This has been particularly serious at Ruakaka, but vehicles on beaches are a growing problem on many northern beaches. If you must take your vehicle on the beach to carry fishing gear or tow your boat, stick to designated vehicle access ways, avoid driving over sand dunes and stick to low speeds."
Mr Hackwell urged people to keep their dogs on a lead.
"Dogs love playing in the surf as much as we do, but they can pose a serious threat to native wildlife."
The mauling of penguins by dogs had been most frequent on Auckland's west coast beaches, but uncontrolled dogs also devastated nesting birds, including Northland's critically endangered fairy terns. Dogs should also be kept away from marine mammals such as seals.
Leaving inorganic rubbish on beaches could lead to seabirds and marine mammals getting entangled in plastics or ingesting them.
"Rubbish left at the beach can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, so take it home. This includes refraining from dumping rubbish off boats."
Mr Hackwell said on the water, boaties needed to be responsible too.
"Know and observe the legal limits for recreational fishing - throw fish back if they are too small. By staying within the rules you will help ensure fish populations can breed."
Mr Hackwell said the best way to protect small fish was not to catch them at all but otherwise he recommended the use of larger hooks and a bigger bait as they were less likely to be swallowed by small fish.
"If you are out in a boat, take care not to travel too fast or too close near marine mammals such as dolphins and whales - stay at least 50 metres away from whales and at least 200 metres from mothers and calves."
If swimming it was not wise to approach dolphins.
"Wait until they come to you. Dolphins can get stressed by too much human interaction over summer months. Don't swim with whales or dolphin pods with young calves."
Auckland's big population meant its coastal environment was highly vulnerable to pollution.
"Make sure the only thing that goes down your drain is water - liquid waste and other rubbish dumped down drains ends up in our oceans."
Effluents from recreational boats could also contaminate the sea. People needed to keep boat hulls clean and free of fouling which could spread biosecurity nasties such as the marine pest sea squirt.
Mr Hackwell said set nets should be avoided so as not to put at risk Maui's dolphins, the world's rarest dolphin, which was found only off the northwest coast of the North Island.
"And while you are lazing on the beach this summer you might also find time to write to Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick [freepost at Parliament, Wellington] to encourage the Government to support a marine mammal sanctuary off the northwest coast to protect Maui's dolphins."
