By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) — New Zealand on Thursday announced the first marine wildlife reserves in the southeastern part of its South Island.
The six new marine reserves, located between the city of Oamaru and The Catlins region, will increase the area of mainland reserves in New Zealand by 67%, said a statement by Conservation Minister Willow-Jean Prime and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking.
"Protecting our oceans and their biodiversity for future generations is important to this Government," Prime said in the statement, published online.
"The creation of these new reserves increases the area in marine reserves around mainland New Zealand by more than two thirds," she added.
For her part, Brooking said the new reserves were the first step in creating a network of marine protection areas in the region and build on the government's ocean protection efforts.
"From tightening the rules to around fish being discarded at sea and putting cameras on commercial fishing vessels, to stopping bottom trawling the vast bulk of the Hauraki Gulf, this is a Government that understands you can't have a successful commercial fishing industry in an unhealthy ocean," Brooking said.
According to the high-level official, the government also created nine new mataitai reserves this year, which allow customary and recreational fishing but mostly bar commercial fishing, bringing the total number to 66.
*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid