Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Draft Management Plan

and foreshore habitats are restored with each tide or storm. On exposed rocky
shores, the effects of wave action and tides limit the habitat to hardy species which
are resilient to disturbance. On sheltered soft shores, within estuaries, species and
habitats are vulnerable to disturbance and depletion, despite the effects of regular
exposure and inundation by the tides and the dynamic nature of the estuarine
ecosystem. The connections between all these ecosystems need to be recognised.
Restoration is largely restricted to those species with national recovery plans, such as
coastal cresses and some bird species. For the great majority of species it is not
practical to address their needs directly within individual management programmes.
Consequently the maintenance and restoration of the full range of indigenous
habitats and ecosystems within the reserve will be the primary means of preserving
indigenous species. Priorities should be based on the information provided by the
Natural Heritage Management System (developed by the Department of
Conservation). Other indigenous species may also require special management
regimes from time to time, including the re-introduction into the reserve of
indigenous species that inhabited the area previously. Protection of bird nesting
sites, such as the use of temporary fencing and signage, may be used as needed
within the reserve (for example, at the end of Awaroa spit).
The most important management actions for conservation of indigenous plants and
animals in the reserve are the control of browsers and predators (see section 3.2
‘Biosecurity and management of threats to indigenous species, habitats and
ecosystems’), and appropriate restrictions on disturbance and harvest (see below).
Estuaries are particularly vulnerable to all these threats. Exposed shores are less
vulnerable, though still affected by activities such as harvest of driftwood, shellfish
and seaweed, and predation of shore birds.
3.1.2 Fishing and the taking of seaweed and driftwood
Recreational fishing, which includes the gathering of shellfish, whitebaiting and
eeling, is a popular activity on the Abel Tasman coast. Gathering of seaweed and
driftwood from the reserve is also carried out. These activities have historically been
carried out along this coastline since Māori first settled here. However, excessive
gathering of driftwood or unattached seaweed may deplete the habitat available for
invertebrates, which are a food source for birds, and it may alter the stability and
natural characteristics of soft shores. Gathering of seaweed that is attached to rocky
substrates can have a significant adverse effect on rock pool and rocky shore
communities.
The general authorisation (see Appendix 6) issued by the Administration Committee
in 2008 allows for the above non-commercial activities (except where the reserve
overlaps with the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, where the taking of any marine life is
prohibited), provided they were in accordance with the Fisheries Acts (1983 and
1996), associated legislation (such as the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 1994), and a
few conditions associated with the taking of seaweed or driftwood.
The Administration Committee does not propose any change to the general
authorisation. It will continue to allow visitors (including people associated with
adjacent private land) to fish and gather shellfish, seaweed and driftwood, without
the need for individual authorisation 4 .
4 Section 50 of the Reserves Act 1977 requires a person to have the authorisation of the
Administration Committee to take and kill fish, and to use traps, nets and lines in the reserve.
3. Conservation of natural resources 23