21 August 2008 Chapter 9 - Coastal Marine 9.5 Issue Ships capable of travelling at speed or generating significant wake in enclosed waters have the potential to conflict with a range of other coastal users and values and generate adverse environmental effects. 9.5.1 Discussion The amount of energy contained in waves generated by ships adds substantially to the natural energy levels in the environment and these increased energy levels are responsible for generating adverse effects on the environment including changes to shoreline morphology, sub-tidal and inter-tidal zone habitats, impacts on public safety, public access and enjoyment of the coastal environment and the amenity values of the area. The speed at which some ships travel also has implications for the safety of those using the coastal marine area. The tikanga Maori (customary values and practices) of Te Atiawa have been adversely affected by the operation of ships, particularly the fast ferries, with a decline in kaimoana and associated mana. The need for iwi to practice kaitiakitanga and ensure that Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel are available for future generations is paramount. (This issue is partially covered in Chapter 6.) Other iwi, besides Te Atiawa, who establish manawhenua through the courts, or other processes, may in time also be appropriately recognised in managing the ship wake issue. It needs to be recognised that shipping activity contributes to the social and economic wellbeing of people and communities by providing an important link between the North and South Islands and also by providing a means of transport for goods within the Sounds. (This issue is also covered in Chapter 19 Water Transport.) Tory Channel and inner Queen Charlotte Sound in particular comprise a transportation route of national significance for shipping activity and, as such, it is important to recognise this route as a resource that needs to be sustainably managed in the P lan. In managing the effects of the wake generated by conventional ships in Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound, it is accepted that shipping operators have certain operating parameters that affect ship speed that need to be accounted for. In particular, the operators of conventional inter-island shipping services, have relied on an ability to operate their fleets of conventional ships at speeds of up to 20 knots in Tory Channel and inner Queen Charlotte Sound. This operating speed has been necessary historically to enable conventional vessels to achieve a sufficient number of daily crossings of Cook Strait to maintain a generally accepted level of service and for these services to remain socially and economically viable, from the perspective of the wider community. The operation of the fast ferries has been controlled within Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound by a Navigation Bylaw since 15 December 2000. This bylaw resulted in fast ferry operators being required to slow the speed of their ships from up to 40 knots to 18 knots within the confines of Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. Whilst the bylaw was primarily intended to manage navigation safety issues within the waters of the Sounds, evidence obtained from monitoring carried out by the Council indicated that the ship speed reduction had resulted in environmental benefits as well. Prior to the fast ferry speed restrictions being put in place there was wide community concern about the adverse effects being created by the waves generated by these ships-operating in 9 - 19