A symposium aimed at protecting Otago's coastline has given about 60 people food for thought.
Symposium co-ordinator Abby Smith said there were more than 30 marine reserves in New Zealand, but none protected Otago's coastline.
"The Otago Conservation Board has been constantly dismayed by the slow, if not glacial, process of trying to protect any part of our coastline." said Ms Smith, marine science associate professor at the University of Otago and deputy chairwoman of the Otago Conservation Board.
The "Otago's Changing Seas - Looking After Our Coastline" symposium at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre near Portobello yesterday was an opportunity for discussion and information sharing.
About 10 scientific, conservation and community representatives from the Government, Marine New Zealand, the East Otago Taiapure Management Committee, Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Fisheries and the University of Otago's Marine Science Department, Tourism Department and the Centre for Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment shared up-to-date information about the marine environment, present research and conservation issues and different perspectives on the use of Otago's coastline.
While no quick-fix solutions were found to the lengthy delays in creating protection for Otago's coastline, it was agreed the local seas provided nourishment, recreation, and employment which needed to be protected and preserved for the health, wealth and happiness of future generations.
