Coastal

Toi tu te marae o Tane-Mahuta, toi tu te marae o Tangaroa, toi tu te tangata

When the land and sea are looked after, the people will prosper

From sheltered bays in the Marlborough Sounds to the exposed coast south of Cape Campbell, Marlborough has about 1,800km of coastline that many people enjoy for recreation or rely on for a living.

Council works with several Government agencies including the Department of Conservation and Ministry for Primary Industries to look after the coastal area. This is a complicated task, covering more than 725,000ha of water with many competing interests that must be managed and balanced. Tourism, aquaculture, fishing, mahinga kai (customary food gathering) and recreation all depend on healthy coastal ecosystems and good water quality.

Marine and land activities such as farming, forestry and sewage discharge all have a direct impact on the coastal environment. Council regulates the different activities in the Sounds through the Resource Management Plan and consenting process. This work is backed up by research and monitoring to help understand the effects of land and water use and provide information for future planning and protection.

• Department of Conservation website
• Ministry for Primary Industries website