It aims to:

• develop spatially referenced ecological models to facilitate better marine biodiversity management
• identify things that prevent or encourage the achievement of biodiversity goals at a regional level
• provide advice and information to regional and national policy-makers on how constraints may be overcome, and opportunities fostered.

The Ministry for the Environment is currently carrying out three case studies investigating ways to achieve these aims.

Hauraki Gulf
The focus of this case study is the development of a regional-scale marine environmental classification of physical variables in the marine environment, based on the assumption that ecological processes are largely driven by physical factors. The case study will involve testing a draft classification against a management scenario (identifying candidate sites for marine protection), by the end of June 2003. The classification will be tested against empirical data in the 2003 financial year.

Wellington Harbour/Cook Strait
This study is being carried out in collaboration with the Wellington Regional Council. It focuses on coordination between agencies, information management and community participation. Planned and current actions include: the formation of a community-based advisory group; development of a greater Cook Strait marine environmental classification; a series of lectures on community interactions with the biodiversity of Wellington Harbour and Cook Strait; an investigation of legislative and policy ‘theory and practice’ that impacts on biodiversity in the harbour and strait and the development of a regional metadatabase, to make readily available scientific, community-based and traditional knowledge and information about the biodiversity of the region.

Fiordland
This study focuses on the activities and fortunes of the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries and Marine Environment. The Guardians are a group of marine stakeholders who received support from the Sustainable Management Fund to develop an Integrated Management Strategy for the Fiordland area. A draft strategy was released in October 2002. The strategy promotes the use of a range of existing tools and processes (e.g. taiapure, marine reserves) to promote sustainable use and protection of marine biodiversity. The strategy will be supported by a Marine Geographical Information System, currently under development by the University of Otago’s Marine Sciences Department, funded under the Biodiversity Strategy Funding Package.

The Ministry of Fisheries is currently negotiating a contract with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu to implement a case study plan based in the Waitaki catchment, with customary resource use as its primary focus.