Pursuant to Regulation 15 of the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, and pursuant to an instrument of delegation dated the 24th day of September 2010 from the Director-General of Conservation, I, Kevin O'Connor, Deputy Director-General, Operations, hereby declare that no new permits shall be granted for commercial operations to view dolphins or whales and/or swim with dolphins along Northland's eastern coast (being all those New Zealand fisheries waters (as defined by the Fisheries Act 1996) between the Mangawhai Harbour (174ø36'E, 36ø05'S) and Cape Reinga (172ø41'E, 34ø25'S)), until 30 June 2016.
This declaration does not apply to:
- any applications to renew existing commercial marine mammal tourism permits for interaction with whales and dolphins along Northland's eastern coast;
- any minor amendments such as changes in a pilot, master, or guide, or a change of vessel; or
- any transfer of permit which is approved.
Dated at Wellington this 20th day of June 2013.
KEVIN O'CONNOR, Deputy Director-General (Operations).