Heatley Phil: Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill — Third ReadingText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeHeatley Phil: Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill — Third Reading[Sitting date: 11 February 2014. Volume:696;Page:15820. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PHIL HEATLEY (National—Whangarei): As I said before National has got a proud history of marine protection. We did pass the original Marine Reserves Act in 1971 and at that time leading up to that the Labour Party had talked about it for many many years as is its habit. The Green member who has taken his seat Gareth Hughes discussed the fact that the Labour Party had proposals for eight marine reserves on the books for the 9 years while it was in Government and that is quite true. The Labour Party did do that and talked about them for a year then it talked about them for a second year then it consulted on them for a third and fourth year and then talked about them again for a fifth year. Labour wrung its hands for a sixth year and then talked around and around in circles again for another 2 years making it 9 years of talking about marine reserves and how wonderful they are but not actually establishing this marine reserve or others that National has put in since being in Government.It is great to hear that Gareth Hughes before the 2011 election took the opportunity to do some diving in a marine reserve—again one that the National Government had decided to put in place. Although the Labour Party and the Green Party talk big about marine protection they are so busy consulting so busy arguing so busy going around in circles that they do not actually do anything. I think this country’s fear is that although the Labour Party and the Green Party are very good at talking consulting holding hands and hugging actual action and decision making are not their strong suit. As we have come out of the recession and we are starting this rebuild of the economy which is a delicate thing and of our environment I do not think that we really need a bunch of hand-wringers in charge. Anyway this is another solid run on the board for the National Government.Here we are looking at this particular marine protected area in the Subantarctic Islands Marine Reserves Bill. I recall myself as Minister of Fisheries and Kate Wilkinson as conservation Minister at the time pushing through the consultation on this marine reserve. We eventually landed on a decision that we made about 18 months or 2 years ago. Further submissions to the Local Government and Environment Committee have resulted in this particular proposal and we are very proud of it. Although the three island groups have a protected area status the territorial waters around them are not currently protected but they will be under this bill. It recognises great opportunities for tourism research and fishing. There is very little current extractive use in the islands surrounding our waters. Some of that will continue with the deep-water crab fisheries around Campbell Island.I must reiterate too how important it is that the fishing industry and recreational fishers are able to fish sustainably outside these marine reserves. Although the Green member Gareth Hughes talks about marine reserves actually improving the fisheries environment outside the reserve that is not generally the case because most fish species are territorial. Although you get wonderful growth and development of fish species within a marine reserve outside a marine reserve it does not tend to flow over. We have to manage those fisheries well as well within the quota management system.I gladly commend this legislation to the House. It is another substantial run on the board one that is measurable and that National has done. It is something Labour did talk about for 9 years. Again we have actually achieved it. I am very proud of the result.