New Zealand aims to raise global standards for ocean management

New Zealand is to share its experience of ocean management and conservation at the international Our Oceans Conference in Valparaiso, Chile, next week, Environment Minister Nick Smith said Friday.

"Oceans make up 72 percent of the world, but only 2 percent is in protected areas. The population of marine life like fish and seabirds have halved over the past 40 years," said Smith, who is leading a delegation of officials and experts to the event.

"The biggest problems are in the high seas beyond individual countries' jurisdictions, making up about 70 percent of the oceans, where we need strengthened institutions and rules to ensure the sustainability of fishing stocks and improved protection of marine life."

New Zealand's ambition was to be a leader in ocean management, and its fisheries quota system had provided it with more certified sustainable fishing stocks than any other country, while environmental regulations ensured a "robust" process of checks on mining and other activities.

Last month the government announced the establishment of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, centered around a group of tiny islands about 1,000 kilometers northeast of the North Island and covering 620,000 square km, which was a "benchmark in ocean protection."

"The next challenge will be the update of our marine protection legislation," said Smith.

"New Zealand successfully sponsored a United Nations resolution in June calling for new marine protection measures in the high seas," he said.

"Countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia have made significant contributions with new sanctuaries at the Kermadecs, Pitcairn Island, the northeast United States islands and the Coral Sea. This is an opportunity to share experiences and to advance improved ocean sustainability and protection measures." Endi