Application for a marine mammal permit by Otago Water Taxis and Tours Limited

Introduction

Have your say on a marine mammal permit application by Otago Water Taxis and Tours Limited to commercially view marine mammals from a vessel. Submissions close 12 May 2025.

This application is notified under regulation 11(1) of the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a marine mammal permit for a term of 10 years.

Applicant: Otago Water Taxis and Tours Ltd

Location of proposed activity: Otago Harbour

Permission type: Marine mammal permit

Summary of proposal: Application to commercially view marine mammals from a vessel in the Otago Harbour for a term of 10 years.

Application document: Application form (PDF, 4,126K)

How to submit

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.

Submissions close 12 May 2025.

1. Prepare your submission

Record what you think in the submission form.

• Submission form (PDF, 221K)
• Submission form (DOCX, 57K)

Any person or organisation wishing to be heard at a possible hearing in support of their submission must request an opportunity to appear before the Director-General. This request must be included in your submission.

2. Send us your submission

Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.

Email: permissionschristchurch@doc.govt.nz

Subject Line: Submission on 111508-MAR – Vessel-based viewing of marine mammals

Post:

Director-General
Department of Conservation
Christchurch Shared Services
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140

Attention: Levi Barton, Permissions Advisor

Submissions close 12 May 2025.

Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act.  If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.

Submissions are supplied to Otago Water Taxis and Tours Ltd. They can then comment on submissions.

What happens next

After submissions close:

  1. DOC will analyse and consider all submissions and comments on the submissions.
  2. DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
  3. The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application.

Decision

No details at this point.

Contact

If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Levi Barton, Permissions Advisor.

Email: permissionschristchurch@doc.govt.nz