Submission on the Exclusive Economic Zone & Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Bill
2012: The Society responded to the Local Government & Environment Select Committee on the proposed EEZ Bill.
This bill, in lieu of other ocean policy, sets standards for protection of the marine environment, prescribes how marine activities should be regulated, and implements New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. The Society raised concerns over the definition and applicability of adaptive management approaches and the standard of information required to inform decisions. Given the expense and difficulty of marine research, our knowledge and understanding of the marine ecosystems around New Zealand greatly lags that of our land ecosystems. This lack of knowledge hinders responsible management of marine activities.
Download the submission