Oceans Policy Group
Starting soon is a 6-month public consultation process on the development of a national Oceans Policy. Currently, there are at least 18 pieces of domestic legislation and 14 departments of state involved in managing the marine environment. But there is no overall policy structure to ensure they work together consistently, towards agreed goals. That is the gap an Oceans Policy aims to fill.
A Ministerial Advisory Committee on Oceans Policy is assisting with the public consultation process, and is due to report to a ministerial group on Oceans Policy by 30 September 2001. The consultation is to help identify the goals and principles for managing the marine environment. Committee members are: Dame Catherine Tizard (Chair), David Anderson, Dr Mac Beggs, Mark Bellingham, Te Kou Rikirangi (Riki) Gage, David McDowell, Dr Abigail Smith, and Wally Stone.
Developing an Oceans Policy would not necessarily involve progress towards a single piece of legislation, as with the resource management law reform process, or a restructuring of government agencies. The final result could be a combination of policy and legislative initiatives.
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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