Abstract
New Zealanders are coastal people. Eight thousands marine species, including 61 seabirds, 41 marine mammals, 964 fishes, 2000 molluscs, 900 seaweeds and others inhabit in the coastal areas which extend over 14,000 kilo meters. However, environmental issues such as downside effects on the water and an excess of fishing are present. Land based activities such as agricultural practices and loggings also cause land encroachment and catchment basin problem. Crucial issues are the privatization of fishery and the role of the Resource Management Act (RMA). About the Marine Reserve system, we can stress on some problems as under-written. ・A large number of Maori groups support a separation between the traditional marine management and the Marine Reserve system. ・Autonomous governments put emphases on the relationships between the Marine Reserve system and the NZ Coastal Policy Statement. ・A favorable attitude of the Ministry of Fisheries toward the commercial fishery has been criticized. ・Public participation for a scientific research on the coastal sea is still not institutionalized.
