Pursuant to Regulation 15 of the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, I, Michael Slater, Deputy Director-General, Operations, Department of Conservation, give notice that for a period of ten years from the date of this notice, no new permits shall be granted for any commercial operation which involves viewing or swimming with seals on the Abel Tasman coast (defined as all those waters between Anawera Point and Wainui Inlet and extending out one nautical mile from the shore or any islands).

This declaration does not apply to any application to renew an existing commercial permit for the location specified above or to transfer any permit in its entirety or in part, or to amend any permit, provided there is no material increase in the amount of contact with marine mammals.

Dated at Wellington this 20th day of January 2016.

MICHAEL SLATER, Deputy Director-General, Operations (pursuant to an instrument of delegation dated 9 September 2015).