Wellington, March 16
A new ocean survey project covering 6.5 million square kilometres was launched today.
The Ocean Survey 20/20 project will build up a picture of New Zealand’s ocean resources and ecosystems over the next 15 years.
It will cover the seabed, water column and airspace of the exclusive economic zone and extend to the edge of the continental shelf.
Land Information Minister Pete Hodgson said new technology was being brought together that would greatly increase understanding of the marine environment.
"New Zealand’s future prosperity will depend increasingly on our ocean resources such as fisheries, aquaculture, natural products, hydrocarbons and other minerals," he said at the launch in Wellington.
"Ocean Survey 20/20 is the equivalent of the land mapping and survey of New Zealand that began 150 years ago, which today influences land use decision making.
"Our goal is to build up an equivalent body of knowledge against which we can make decisions around the sustainable management of our oceans."
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