Pollution and falling fish stocks damage Gulf

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Councillors speak out about sad state of city’s marine playground

As $100 million of shiny new craft go on display at Auckland's On the Water Boat Show, the Hauraki Gulf has received a damning report about its health.

Depleted fish stocks, new marine pests and pollution by toxic chemicals from the land are highlighted in an updated State of the Hauraki Gulf Report.

The findings show a continuing and steady decline on its 2011 state and Hauraki Gulf Forum chairman John Tregidga has called a press conference for Monday to appeal for action "to stop the degradation".

Two of Auckland Council's representatives on the multi-agency forum, Christine Fletcher and Mike Lee, yesterday broke ranks to express their frustration at lack of progress.

Halfway down the page something interesting that LegaSea might like to take note of....

NZ Marine Industries chief executive Peter Busfield

"From my observations, I've heard nothing from boating people about problems in the Gulf and I saw dolphins and whales coming up under the Harbour Bridge last week and the fishing is good."