A new report has suggested four potential locations for marine reserves on the West Coast of the South Island.
The West Coast Marine Protection Forum was formed in 2005 and released its recommendations on Monday.
The four areas are: around Punakaiki (from Perpendicular Point in the north to Mahar Swamp in the south), Kahurangi National Park (from just south of the Kahurangi Lighthouse in the north to Crayfish Point on the Heaphy Track), the northern part of Okarito Lagoon and part of the coast south of Okarito township, and an area between Barn Bay in the north (near Haast) and Big Bay in Fiordland National Park.
The report recommended a number of options for protection at each site and the final decisions will rest with the Government.
It has also proposed five sites for lesser protection at Cape Foulwind, Mahinapua Creek, Ship Creek, Hapuka Estuary and Jackson Head.
The report says there was a diversity of views within local communities and among members of the forum which made the process complicated.
Recommendations biased, says Forest and Bird
Conservationists say the recommendations are biased in favour of fishing interests.
A spokesperson for the Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society says a proposal for a reserve at Kahurangi will make fishing companies give up only 1% of their area.
Kirsty Knowles says the forum's role was to protect biodiversity, not fishing interests.
However, the fishing industry says a range of proposals have been made and the forum had to take into account the impact on fishing interests.
The Minister of Conservation and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture have asked for official advice on the report and will then consider the recommendations.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says she cannot put a time frame on how long it will take to make a final decision.
