NZ Seeks Urgent Tech-Driven Solutions as Marine Life Disappears from Coastal Rockpools

Beyond potential fisheries closures, the Government is actively considering new, non-traditional tools to curb unsustainable behaviour, signalling opportunities for innovation in marine stewardship.

The New Zealand Government has requested urgent advice on how to respond to growing reports of intertidal rockpools being stripped of marine life across Whangaparāoa Peninsula and other coastal areas, raising fresh questions about sustainability, monitoring gaps and the role of technology in marine protection.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, alongside Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft, confirmed that Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) has been asked to fast-track advice following widespread concern over large-scale collection of shellfish and other marine species from fragile coastal ecosystems, including Army Bay.

“This situation requires urgency,” Mr Jones said. “These species are not just resources—they are core to the health and recovery of entire coastal ecosystems.”

From Customary Management to Data-Driven Protection

The issue gained momentum after the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust requested a two-year temporary fisheries closure in October 2025, covering parts of the Rodney coastline, Hibiscus Coast, East Coast Bays and select Hauraki Gulf islands. FNZ has since completed public consultation and compiled submissions, including direct feedback from the Trust.

While current activity is largely legal, officials warn that scale and frequency of collection—often by large groups—poses a long-term ecological risk.

“Rockpools are micro-ecosystems,” Mr Jones said. “Once they’re stripped, recovery can take years—if it happens at all.”

Exploring Innovation Beyond Closures

Beyond potential fisheries closures, the Government is actively considering new, non-traditional tools to curb unsustainable behaviour, signalling opportunities for innovation in marine stewardship.

Options under review include:

• Targeted prohibitions on collecting species not traditionally harvested for food;

• Digital and social media education campaigns tailored to diverse communities;

• Potential future use of environmental monitoring, data collection and behavioural insights to better understand and manage coastal pressure points.

The aim, officials say, is to influence behaviour before ecosystems collapse—without unintended consequences for legitimate industries such as oyster farming, which relies on beach-collected spat.

On-the-Ground Engagement, System-Level Thinking

Ms Marcroft recently visited Whangaparāoa Peninsula with Fisheries staff, meeting local residents and Ngāti Manuhiri representatives to assess the situation firsthand.

“No one here is acting unlawfully,” she said. “But it’s clear the current level of harvesting is not sustainable. We need solutions that protect ecosystems while respecting legitimate use.”

She added that the challenge highlights a broader need for smarter, more adaptive coastal management models—particularly as population growth, social media and ease of access amplify environmental pressure.

Call to Action: Innovation for Coastal Resilience

The Government’s response opens the door for marine-tech startups, environmental data platforms, behavioural science innovators and conservation NGOs to contribute scalable solutions—from real-time ecosystem monitoring to culturally responsive education tools.

As New Zealand looks to ensure its coastal environments recover and thrive, officials stress that protecting rockpools today is about safeguarding biodiversity, food systems and public access for generations to come.

“We are determined to ensure these areas recover and thrive,” Mr Jones said. “This is about stewardship—and doing better with the tools we now have.”