NIWA Chairman Chris Mace says New Zealand urgently needs a National Oceans Strategy, to sustainably manage and use its extensive marine resources to boost the economy.

“There is huge untapped potential in our oceans and coastal waters, and the Government has clearly indicated their intention to increase the use of these resources. Under the current global economic environment, I think that is prudent. But without an integrated oceans strategy, our ability to sustainably manage those resources will clearly be compromised.”

Mr Mace made his comments in a speech to the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference this morning. More than 150 marine scientists, local and central government representatives, industry members, university staff, and students are attending the conference. Mr Mace said without a National Oceans Strategy, New Zealand marine management would remain fragmented, with agencies managing marine activities in a reactive way, under different laws and management regimes.

“We have already seen examples of how conflicting interests between building our economic prosperity and protecting our unique marine environment might play out in the future. New Zealand needs an oceans strategy that balances competing needs, focuses our science on understanding the interlinked processes of oceans ecosystems, and sets a clear direction for how we use and manage our extensive marine resources.” “We need evidence-based policy that coordinates the way we use marine resources to enhance our economic prosperity, while at the same time ensuring the environmental impacts are minimised. Science will play a critical role in guiding and informing that policy development.”

“Without a National Oceans Strategy, the cumulative environmental effects could be catastrophic,” Mr Mace said, “and could eventually constrain any further economic growth from our marine resources.”

The New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference is being held on Stewart Island this week. This year’s theme is “Understanding, managing, and conserving our marine environment”.