Bottom Trawling Is To Be Banned In Most Of The Hauraki Gulf

Bottom trawling is to be banned in most of the Hauraki Gulf, as part of a plan to better protect the 1.2-million-hectare $100 billion marine park. Four options will be put into public consultation next week including bottom-trawling and Danish seining which would be banned from 89 per cent of the Gulf. Currently 27% is protected. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking says Aucklanders want greater protection for their beloved blue backyard. Bottom trawling involves dragging weighted nets over the seafloor to catch fish and can catch large quantities in one go. The Government plans to triple the total area under protection in the Hauraki Gulf from just over 6% to about 18%.