Protecting sites of significance on the seafloor

Marlborough’s seafloor is a complex mosaic of underwater mountains, valleys, plains and gullies just like on the land. It’s overlaid with a myriad of ecosystems and habitats that are marine biodiversity hotspots, providing homes for fish, seabirds and many other marine creatures.

The areas of special importance to marine biodiversity are identified by Council as Ecologically Significant Marine Sites. The ecosystems and habitats at these sites are often created by seafloor dwelling organisms that are fragile and slow growing.

Monitoring has shown that many of these sites are being damaged by activities like anchoring, dredging and trawling which cause physical damage to structures that can grow as little as one millimetre a year.

The Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan (PMEP) provides rules on managing activities in and around the Ecologically Significant Marine Sites listed in the plan. Council is currently progressing a variation to the PMEP adding additional Ecologically Significant Marine Sites and adjusting existing sites. The submission period for the variation is now open and will close on Tuesday 11 April.

Go to the PMEP variations page to make a submission or to find out more