The Southland Conservation Board agreed at its June meeting to support a resolution opposing the unregulated practice of shark cage diving. The Board will write to Environment Southland drawing their attention to the need to consider the regulation of the activity of shark cage diving in their review of the Regional Coastal Plan.

The Board has a statutory responsibility to advocate for species protection. It is the Board’s view that the current unregulated nature of the activity of Shark Cage Diving is not consistent with the need to protect native species. While the Board’s concerns center on the protection of native species they are supported by the strength of feeling in the Rakiura community.

The Board’s resolution also aligns with one of the guiding principles of the Board, the Principle of Advocacy, which states that ”The Southland Conservation Board shall use its voice to advocate for the mauri / integrity and wellbeing of the natural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand including, but not limited to, her land, waters, ecosystems and biodiversity.”

The Board noted that another avenue of regulation had closed recently with the voting down of the proposed Shark Cage Diving Bill in Parliament.