Photo: Cat Peters
New rules effective 15th December 2021
The sanctuary has three key restrictions for users of the Bay of Islands:
- No one is allowed in the water within 300 m of a marine mammal.
- No vessel to approach within 300 m of marine mammals – if your vessel breaches the 300 m rule for a marine mammal you must stop. You must remain stopped until any marine mammals are at least 300 m away.
- You must travel 5 knots or less at all times while within the marine mammal safe zones.
Full details on the regs can be found on the DoC website here
Detailed boundary maps can be found on the DoC website here
If you see someone breaking the restrictions call Dept of Conservation on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
All of us with an interest and love of Tangaroa, let's work together and take on the challenge of marine protection for the Bay.