Southeast Marine Protection Planning Forum maps of possible protection sites from Timaru to Waipapa Point, in Southland, were displayed on a bulletin board at the Catlins Inn in Owaka recently. It was not known how long they had been displayed.
Forum chairwoman Maree Baker-Galloway said the display of incorrect information was concerning.
‘‘It was upsetting to a lot of the forum members to see that happen,'' Mrs Galloway-Baker said.
The forum, set up in July last year in consultation with the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for Primary Industries, had been asked to recommend to the Government what sites were deserving of marine protection and the type of protection required.
‘‘The explanation of the maps ... was completely misleading and gives the impression that all the areas marked might become protected areas.
‘‘This is incorrect.
‘‘What they actually are is a collection of ideas and options for debate,'' Mrs Baker-Galloway said.
‘‘No areas have been confirmed for marine protection or even for the formal submission process, but up to 46 options have been identified for further discussion.''
The forum had published an updated, correct version of the maps on its website but stressed that no decisions had been made.
The 14-member group had extended its timeline until ‘‘mid next year'' to allow for extra consultation.
