What work programmes, if any, relating to marine protection are currently being undertaken by the Department of Conservation, and what are the objectives, timelines, and budgets associated with each programme?

Answer

Marine protection is a core part of the work of the Department of Conservation. Marine protection work programmes span multiple teams across the Department of Conservation, including operational teams, policy, legal, regulatory services and science. These work programmes include marine protected species management (including research on bycatch mitigation, education, tourism permitting and response to strandings and other events), establishment and management of marine protected areas (including statutory processes for marine reserves, compliance and law enforcement, biological monitoring and research), resource management initiatives (including giving effect to the Regional Coastal Plan for the Subantarctic and Kermadec Islands) and international initiatives (such as engagement in the International Whaling Commission). The Department of Conservation regularly reports on its work via its Annual Reports (https://www.doc.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/corporate-publications/annual-reports-archive/), in the annual review process (https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/environment/tab/report), via our website (e.g. https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/marine-ecosystems-research-programme/ and https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/te-au-roa-o-te-rakihouia/) and via public information releases. I do not consider it to be in the public interest to collate this information in the format requested by this written question given its volume.