South Island Te Runanga o Onuku says it is happy with a Government decision rejecting a marine reserve in Akaroa harbour.
Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson opposes the application because a reserve would be harmful to recreational fishing.
Runanga chair George Tikao says the decision will protect the fishing rights of local Maori.
Mr Tikao says a committee called the Taiapure is helping stop the depletion of fish stocks by managing the area.
