One Ocean NZ

10. Replace the inter-agency Oceans Secretariat with an Oceans Commission. The National Party, as part of its oceans policy, recognised the need for an Oceans Commission to advise the Government on strategies for sustainable ocean management and to foster relationships between the Crown, iwi and other stakeholders. Since the Oceans Secretariat was established in 2021, very little information has been made public regarding its key initiatives.

Furthermore, although an Oceans and Marine Ministers Group (OMMG) was established in 2021 to strengthen coordination across relevant Ministerial portfolios and agencies for delivery of the oceans and fisheries work programme, the results to date remain unclear. We consider the underlying problem is a strong institutional evidence-based framework operating in the public domain. Without such a framework, the industry will fail to obtain a durable social licence to operate. Regular reporting on the ocean environment should be easily accessible by location and open to public participation.

11. Develop a coastal occupancy charge or resource rent tax regime (as in Norway) for all marine farmers. See Infographic 7.

12. Review the success of the 2008 Marine Protected Areas: Classification, Protection Standard and Implementation Guidelines. How could they be improved? See Infographic 3.

13. Revisit the Marine Reserves Bill. Progress has stalled. See Infographic 7.

14. Develop a strategy for meeting the Convention on Biological Diversity requirements – protection of 30% of internal waters and 30% of our territorial sea by 2030 (less than seven years away). See Infographic 2.

Department of Conservation/Ministry for the Environment

15. Research into marine baseline data of flora and fauna is beyond the current funding model of councils (e.g. MDC and Cook Strait). This could be funded from a national coastal charge or resource rent tax regime, providing funds either directly for councils or to DOC/ MfE to undertake research, see 7 above). Species need to be understood in terms of their temperature limits, and how the loss of some species might impact the wider ecosystem. Megafauna and seabirds are critically important, particularly given our global responsibility as one of the seabird and marine mammal capitals of the world. Cook Strait is much more special and unique than the Institute originally thought.

16. Require MDC to send compliance reports on ocean and internal salmon farming to DOC as well as MPI.

17. Revisit the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1998 between DOC and NZKS. DOC and NZKS signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1998 regarding the Ruakaka farm, as part of negotiations to resolve references (appeals) on the proposed Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan. We understand this was to ensure that NZKS would not continue to farm in that location past the expiry date.21 The only other Memorandum of Understanding to have been entered into between DOC and NZKS was signed in 2010 and concerned support for DOC on environmental enhancement projects in the Marlborough Sounds.

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ)/Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) 

18. Provide public access to a detailed map that clearly delineates internal waters from territorial waters, identifying both boundaries and spatial areas. See Infographic 2.

Over time, the combination of climate change and global tensions will put pressure on companies to move from a global efficiency business model to a national self-sufficient business model. For the salmon industry, that is likely to mean land-based farms located close to water, either using saltwater or freshwater. Concerns over the global impact on oceans from aquaculture are of growing interest. See for example the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) invitation to comment, due 29 March 2024.