The West Coast Marine Protection Forum is calling for public comment and feedback on the Marine and Coastal Environments of the West Coast; a report prepared to describe what is known about the marine and coastal habitats and ecosystems of the West Coast.

This initial report does not reach any conclusions about what should be protected or how that should occur. It does not contain any recommendations or propose any sites for protection.  That phase includes a separate public consultation process and will not begin until later this year.   

At this stage the Forum is asking for public assistance so that it can confirm that the West Coast’s marine environment from Karamea to Haast has been accurately assessed.

Once public feedback has been received and assessed the Forum expects to be in a position later this year to begin identifying areas for marine protection.