NZ’s first marine reserve is turning 50 – the lessons from its recovery are invaluable – The Conversation

Report on the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Background

The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, established in 1975 near Auckland, New Zealand, represents one of the world’s earliest legislated marine reserves. This report analyzes the 50-year ecological transformation of the 556-hectare no-take zone and evaluates its significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Ecological Restoration and Alignment with SDG 14: Life Below Water

The reserve’s recovery from a barren rocky reef ecosystem to a thriving kelp forest serves as a critical case study for achieving SDG Target 14.2: to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The restoration process followed a clear ecological sequence:

1. The cessation of fishing allowed for the recovery of predator populations, specifically crayfish and snapper.
2. Increased predator numbers led to a reduction in kina (sea urchin) populations, which graze on kelp.
3. Over a period of nearly three decades, the reduction in grazing pressure enabled the re-establishment of extensive kelp forests.
4. The restored kelp forests created vital nursery habitats, fostering a significant increase in marine biodiversity.

The successful restoration has resulted in the return of a diverse array of marine life, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 14. Species now commonly observed include:

• Parrotfish
• Black angelfish
• Blue maomao
• Red moki
• Silver drummers
• Leatherjackets
• Octopus and several species of stingrays

Ongoing Challenges and the Importance of Sustainable Management (SDG 12 & SDG 14)

Despite its success, the reserve’s long-term health is impacted by external pressures, highlighting the need for integrated management approaches consistent with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14. Key challenges include:

• External Fishing Pressure: Intense commercial and recreational fishing in the surrounding Hauraki Gulf has increased significantly since the 1970s.
• Reserve Size Limitations: The reserve’s relatively small area means that larger species like snapper and crayfish can move outside its boundaries and be caught, diminishing the protected populations. This has been evidenced by a drop in crayfish numbers within the reserve over the past decade.
• Lack of Replenishment: Heavily fished areas outside the reserve are unable to effectively replenish populations within it, indicating that isolated protected areas are insufficient without broader sustainable fisheries management as mandated by SDG Target 14.4.

Socio-Economic Contributions and Spillover Effects

The reserve generates significant ecological and economic benefits that extend beyond its boundaries, contributing to regional prosperity and sustainable practices.

Spillover Effect and Fisheries Enhancement (SDG 14)

The reserve functions as a crucial breeding ground, enhancing regional fish stocks. Research indicates that mature snapper within the reserve produce approximately ten times more juvenile offspring than those in unprotected areas of equivalent size. Furthermore, an estimated 11% of young snapper found up to 40 kilometres away are the offspring of the reserve’s population, demonstrating a direct contribution to the sustainability of local fisheries.

Sustainable Tourism (SDG 8)

The abundance of marine life makes the reserve a major attraction for sustainable tourism, aligning with SDG Target 8.9. It draws approximately 350,000 visitors annually for activities such as snorkeling, diving, and glass-bottom boat tours, providing economic benefits and promoting environmental awareness.

Climate Action, Future Legislation, and Long-Term Viability (SDG 13 & SDG 14)

The restored ecosystem within the reserve provides critical services that support climate change mitigation and adaptation, directly addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Climate Resilience: Healthy kelp forests enhance the ecosystem’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
• Carbon Sequestration: Kelp forests act as a natural carbon sink. If restored across the wider Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, these forests could be valued at an estimated NZ$7.9 million in carbon credits.

Forthcoming legislation, the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act, will expand the reserve to four times its current size. This expansion is a decisive step towards fulfilling SDG Target 14.5 (conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas) by increasing the protection of diverse habitats, including vulnerable soft-sediment seafloor ecosystems that are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage, and nutrient cycling.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on the Te Hāwere-a-Maki/Goat Island marine reserve addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its discussion of marine conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate change resilience, and sustainable tourism.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water: This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and marine resources. It details the establishment of a marine reserve, the recovery of marine ecosystems, the impact of fishing on fish stocks, and the importance of protecting marine biodiversity.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article connects marine conservation with climate action by highlighting the role of restored kelp forests. It explicitly states that these ecosystems enhance resilience to climate change and contribute to carbon sequestration, which is a key aspect of climate change mitigation.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article touches upon this goal by mentioning the economic benefits derived from the healthy marine reserve. It highlights the significant number of visitors who engage in sustainable tourism activities like snorkeling and diving, which supports the local economy.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: This goal is implicitly addressed through the description of the collaboration between science and policy. The Leigh marine laboratory’s scientific research and monitoring provided the evidence and impetus for establishing and understanding the marine reserve, demonstrating a partnership to achieve sustainable development.

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

Several specific SDG targets can be identified from the information provided in the article:

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.” The article is a case study of this target in action. It describes the transformation of the reserve from “bare rocky reefs to thriving kelp forests” as a result of protection, which allowed predator species to recover and restore the ecosystem’s balance.
   • Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing…” The article discusses the negative impacts of “commercial and recreational fishing pressures outside the marine reserve” and contrasts this with the recovery of crayfish and snapper stocks within the protected no-take zone. The reserve itself is a tool for regulating harvesting to restore fish stocks.
   • Target 14.5: “By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.” The establishment of the 556-hectare Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve in 1975 and its recent expansion under the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Act are direct actions towards this target of creating marine protected areas.
   • Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” The article emphasizes the role of marine scientists who have been “monitoring changes and tracking significant transformations in the ecosystem” for decades. This long-term research has provided crucial understanding of ecosystem dynamics and the benefits of marine protection.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The article directly supports this target by stating, “restoring kelp forests in the reserve and elsewhere has made the area more resilient to climate change.”
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article highlights that “About 350,000 people visit the reserve annually, mostly to snorkel, dive or take a glass-bottom boat trip,” which is a clear example of sustainable tourism built upon a protected and healthy ecosystem.

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

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 14.5 (Coverage of protected areas): The size of the marine reserve is a direct indicator. The article specifies its initial size (“556 hectares”) and its recent expansion (“about four times larger”).
• Indicator for Target 14.2 (Ecosystem health): The article provides a qualitative indicator by describing the ecological shift from “bare rocky reefs” to “thriving kelp forests.” The presence and diversity of species like “parrotfish, black angelfish, blue maomao, red moki” also serve as indicators of a healthy ecosystem.
• Indicator for Target 14.4 (Fish stocks): The article mentions several indicators related to fish stocks. It notes the “slow recovery of crayfish and snapper stocks” inside the reserve. A key quantitative indicator is that mature snapper in the reserve produce “about ten times more juvenile snapper” than in unprotected areas. Furthermore, the “spillover effect” is quantified: “About 11% of young snapper found up to 40 kilometres away” originate from the reserve.
• Indicator for SDG 13 (Climate Action): A specific financial indicator for the value of carbon sequestration is provided: “If kelp forests were restored in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, the plants would be worth about NZ$7.9 million in carbon credits.”
• Indicator for Target 8.9 (Sustainable tourism): The number of annual visitors serves as a direct indicator of tourism activity. The article states, “About 350,000 people visit the reserve annually.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com