DOC marine protection rangers are preparing for the second summer of patrolling the marine protected areas of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana.
On 25 October 2025, new marine protected areas came into effect, adding 12 high protection areas, five seafloor protection areas and extending two of the six existing marine reserves in the gulf. Together this represented 586km2 in new protected areas - more than twice the size of Singapore island.
Kirsty Prior, Operations Manager for DOC's Auckland Marine District, says her team has been busy engaging with people across Auckland, gulf islands and the Coromandel.
"In the last 12 months our team has attended boat shows and fishing competitions, distributed more than 100,000 fliers to retailers, fishing clubs and individuals, installed more than 120 signs at water entry points. We've also undertaken thousands of foot and boat patrols in and around the marine protected areas.
"We've been talking about the new protected areas and also explaining how marine protections take pressure off important ecosystems such as productive reefs and seagrass areas.
"We started by educating people and now we're moving to a stronger enforcement approach including fines and prosecution."
In peak summer months, a team of 34 DOC rangers will engage with the public and undertake boat and foot patrols. They will be supported by a high-zoom CCTV network covering the marine protected areas, drone technology and, government agencies such as New Zealand Police and Fisheries New Zealand. The public can support marine protected areas by alerting DOC to suspicious or illegal behaviour on 0800 DOC HOT (362 468).
"We'll be right across the Gulf again, with a particular focus on hot spots for non-compliance such as Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve, Kawau Bay High Protection Area and The Noises High Protection Area.
"An infringement fine for fishing in a marine reserve or high protection area starts at $600. On top of fines, DOC warranted officers have the power to stop and search boats and vehicles, require people to identify themselves, and seize fishing gear.
"Our message is straightforward: hook a fish not a fine. Check the marine protection areas and rules on the DOC website, update chart plotters and know the rules before you drop a line this summer."
Background
- Marine reserves and high protection areas ban commercial and recreational fishing, collecting seafood, dumping waste and extraction.
- The ring-net fishing exemptions apply to only two out of 12 high protection areas.
- Seafloor protection areas ban activities that have a high impact on the seafloor such as bottom trawling, dredging and Danish seining. They allow low impact activities, such as line fishing, spear fishing, harvesting by hand and careful anchoring. Fisheries rules and closures still apply in seafloor protection areas.
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