Info sought after ‘concerning’ marine reserve incidents – 1News

Report on Marine Reserve Breaches and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report details two recent incidents of suspected illegal activity within marine reserves in the Nelson-Tasman region. These events are analyzed in the context of New Zealand’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Violations Threaten SDG 14: Life Below Water

The Department of Conservation (DOC) has reported a pattern of serious and deliberate breaches within marine reserves, which directly undermines progress towards key SDG 14 targets. These reserves are designated “no-take” areas, a critical tool for achieving SDG Target 14.2 (sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems) and SDG Target 14.5 (conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas). The reported activities constitute illegal fishing, a practice targeted for elimination under SDG Target 14.4.

Specific Cases Under Investigation

1. Horoirangi Marine Reserve Incident
   • Date: November 5
   • Vessel: A 14-metre white launch of unknown name.
   • Activity: The vessel was anchored within the reserve for 90 minutes, an activity deemed suspicious by authorities.
   • Detection: The activity was recorded by a recently installed monitoring camera.
2. Tonga Island Marine Reserve Incident
   • Date: November 16
   • Vessel: A 6.5-metre black Stabicraft with a distinctive blue trim.
   • Activity: Suspected illegal activity within the reserve boundaries.
   • Detection: A member of the public reported the vessel, providing DOC with video and still images as evidence.

Institutional Response and Community Partnership (SDG 16 & SDG 17)

Enforcement and Legal Framework

In line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), DOC is enforcing the legal framework protecting these marine ecosystems. The rules prohibiting any form of fishing are strictly enforced, and serious breaches can result in prosecution and imprisonment, reinforcing the rule of law for environmental protection.

Call for Public and Inter-Agency Collaboration

DOC’s appeal for public information exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting that effective conservation requires collaboration between government bodies and civil society. To strengthen monitoring, a new Coastwatch group has been formed, comprising staff from central and local government agencies and local residents. This multi-stakeholder partnership is vital for safeguarding marine biodiversity.

Information required by DOC includes:

• Details of any vessels involved.
• Descriptions of individuals on board.
• The specific location and time of the incident.
• The nature of the suspected illegal activity.
• Photographic or video evidence.

The public is urged to report any suspicious activity confidentially via the 0800 DOC HOT line.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The text focuses entirely on the protection of marine ecosystems within designated “marine reserves.” The core issue discussed is the threat posed by illegal fishing and other prohibited activities, which directly undermines the goal of conserving and sustainably using marine resources. The article explicitly mentions “marine reserves,” “no take areas,” and various forms of illegal fishing (“line fishing, trolling through reserves, kayak fishing, and setting cray pots”), all of which are key concerns under SDG 14.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant as the article details the efforts of a state institution, the Department of Conservation (DOC), to enforce environmental laws and regulations. It highlights the challenges in upholding the rule of law within protected areas and the consequences for offenders, such as “prosecution and jail time.” The article showcases the institution’s role in monitoring (using a “recently installed camera”), investigating breaches, and seeking public assistance to ensure justice and accountability.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article demonstrates the importance of collaboration to achieve conservation goals. It describes the formation of a “new Coastwatch group which comprised of staff from several central and local government agencies and local residents.” This multi-stakeholder partnership, along with the call for the public to report illegal activity, exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to implement the SDGs effectively.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The entire article is about the effort to protect the “Horoirangi Marine Reserve” and the “Tonga Island Marine Reserve” from harmful human activities, which is the essence of this target.
   • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The article directly addresses illegal fishing, stating that “breaches of marine reserve rules were showing no signs of slowing down” and describing “serious and deliberate breaches” by offenders.
   • Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas. The marine reserves mentioned in the article are examples of such conserved areas, and the text highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining their integrity.
2. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is shown acting as an institution responsible for enforcement. Its public appeals for information and reminders about the rules are acts of transparency and accountability in its mission to protect the reserves.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The reliance on public participation is a key theme. DOC urges the public to “call 0800 DOC HOT” and notes that a “member of the public had alerted DOC staff” to one of the incidents. The formation of the Coastwatch group with “local residents” further demonstrates a participatory approach to enforcement and monitoring.
3. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The creation of the “Coastwatch group” involving “several central and local government agencies and local residents” is a direct example of a public-civil society partnership aimed at achieving a shared conservation objective.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, several indicators are mentioned or strongly implied:

1. Indicators for SDG 14 Targets:
   • Number of illegal fishing incidents: The article implies this is a key metric by stating that “breaches of marine reserve rules were showing no signs of slowing down” and that compliance teams were encountering “more serious and deliberate breaches.” A reduction in these incidents would indicate progress.
   • Coverage of marine protected areas: The article explicitly names two marine reserves (“Horoirangi Marine Reserve,” “Tonga Island Marine Reserve”), which contribute to the national and global measure of Indicator 14.5.1 (Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas).
2. Indicators for SDG 16 Targets:
   • Number of enforcement actions or prosecutions: The article’s reference to the fact that “serious breaches of marine reserve rules can result in prosecution and jail time” implies that the number of such actions is a measure of institutional effectiveness in upholding the law.
   • Level of public reporting of illegal activities: The specific call for the public to report information, including “photographs and videos,” and the mention that one incident was reported by a “member of the public,” suggest that the volume and quality of public reports are used as an indicator of community engagement and monitoring success.
3. Indicators for SDG 17 Targets:
   • Existence of multi-stakeholder partnerships: The formation of the “new Coastwatch group” is a direct, tangible indicator of a partnership being established to address the conservation issue, aligning with the goal of fostering collaboration.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: 1news.co.nz