The Outboard Boating Club (OBC) – the country’s largest recreational boating club – has added its support to a proposal aimed at protecting at least 20% of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, a move which will hopefully reverse dwindling fish numbers.

The proposal comes from the Hauraki Gulf Forum, a statutory body which promotes and facilitates integrated management and the protection and enhancement of the Hauraki Gulf. It’s aimed at seeking protection of at least 20% of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and establishing restoration efforts for 1000km2 of shellfish beds and reefs.

“As regular users of the gulf,” says OBC Commodore Bill Berry, “our 2000 members are well aware that the health of the Gulf is at risk and that more must be done to protect the environment of the gulf for our families and future generations. Consequently, we support this decision by the Hauraki Gulf Forum and look forward to working with them.

“Club members young and old have been enjoying the Gulf’s beauty and resources for 60 years, and as a significant step toward protecting the fish resource we have changed the basis for all our fishing competitions to measuring by length rather than weight.

“Measuring and photographing the fish encourages competitors to return the fish to the water, preserving the healthiest breeding fish of popular varieties as snapper, kahawai and kingfish.” For more information on the proposal, visit https://ourauckland. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2019/05/hauraki-gulf-forumvotes-to-increase-marine-park-protection/