Hauraki Gulf Needs Health Prescription

Posted by Gold FM on 11/08/2011

Hauraki Mayor John Tregidga is chairman of the Hauraki Gulf Forum whose recently produced report has raised concern about the state of the Hauraki Gulf.

The three yearly report measured the state of the environmental and fisheries asset against pre european settlement for the first time, and the findings indicate the health of the gulf, which stretches from the bottom of Northland to the east Coromandel has worsened, or remained the same.

The Mayor says the cumulative results are worrying because the situation is deteriorating.

The cause is attributed to urban spread, modern farming and management of the area.

Fish stocks are dwindling due to over fishing, water quality is diminishing and beaches are becoming unsafe for swimming.

North Shore, Waitemata and eastern beaches are showing high amounts of faecal matter. Nitrogen levels being fed into the gulf due to increasing use of fertilizer and more cows on farms is another factor in the deteriorating water quality. Eight out of sixteen sites tested in the Waikato Coromandel area, including Cook's Beach and Whangamata were exceeding safe water quality levels.

While there is general agreement that something needs to be done sooner rather than later to address the worsening situation, various political bodies and environmental groups disagree about the best way forward.

The Hauraki Gulf Forum is advocating a single regional plan that includes all the islands and water bodies within the gulf, whereas Auckland's Mayor Len Brown wants to address issues through the Auckland 30 year plan because a lot of the problems occurring are as a result of Auckland's spread.

Brian Gentil will be talking to Mayor John Tregidga about this issue next Wednesday at 7.45 am in the Gold FM Council Matters report.

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