Attended some of the Hauraki Gulf Forum meeting today at the ARC council chambers. An excellent presentation from Liz Ross, the shellfish monitoring coordinator. Liz has now been working for several years with schools in the region to establish monitoring of shellfish beds. The data is now beginning to show some trends and will form a great resource for the future to assess effects of development and conservations on the numbers and size of shellfish stocks.
A recent hearing panel decision has ruled that the disposal of dredgings at an inshore environment in the Hauraki Gulf by Pine Harbour Marina would be repugnant to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act management objectives. The decision has been appealed to the environment court. Mike Lee presented a statement of evidence at the hearing of the application to dredge. This was a very thorough and fascinating account of the history of sediment disposal from dredging in the Gulf which no doubt had a large effect on the decision. The commissioners placed an emphasis on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act which was very heartening. Below is the link to the agenda and minutes.
http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/coastal-and-marine/hauraki-gulf-forum/agendas-and-minutes.cfm
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