8. Indigenous Biodiversity Volume One RMA’s definition of a wetland but do not have significant values in terms of the criteria in Policy 8.1.1 have not been identified in the MEP and therefore are not subject to wetland rules. Areas or habitats assessed as having significant ecological values within the coastal marine area have been specifically identified in the MEP and are referred to as ‘ecologically significant marine sites’. This is because the coastal marine area is comprised of resources in public ownership, with the Council having a more direct role in managing these resources including in relation to areas with significant biodiversity value in terms of Section 6(c) of the RMA. Regulation and education will be the Council’s main approach in protecting marine biodiversity. Policy 8.1.3 – Having adequate information on the state of biodiversity in terrestrial, freshwater and coastal environments in Marlborough to enable decision makers to assess the impact on biodiversity values from various activities and uses. Survey work on private land through programmes run by the Council and Department of Conservation has provided an overview of biodiversity in Marlborough. However, while many landowners have had their land surveyed as part of these programmes, not all land has been surveyed. Having adequate information about biodiversity values of waterbodies is equally important for decision makers when assessing the impacts of various activities and uses within waterbodies, as well as activities and uses on adjoining land. For the coastal marine area, the Council has undertaken a review of published and unpublished reports to provide an overview of Marlborough’s marine biodiversity. This information is available to the public but it is acknowledged that there are significant gaps in our knowledge. The Council will undertake surveys to improve knowledge of biodiversity patterns and condition. Continuing to add to the knowledge of the extent, condition and use of biodiversity in Marlborough will be important in assisting decision making on resource consent or plan change applications, as well as for general awareness of the state of Marlborough’s environment. Protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity Policy 8.2.1 – A variety of means will be used to assist in the protection and enhancement of areas and habitats with indigenous biodiversity value, including partnerships, support and liaison with landowners, regulation, pest management, legal protection, education and the provision of information and guidelines. A variety of methods are necessary to achieve the protection and enhancement of areas and habitats with indigenous biodiversity value. Sometimes, simply fencing an area is the most effective means of protection and in this case, it is the Council’s role to support landowners (including financially). In other cases, it may be appropriate that regulation is used. It is important to acknowledge, however that rules on their own do not protect important areas. The Council can also take an active role in enhancement activities, again through supporting landowners with education, the provision of information and guidelines and through working in partnerships. Policy 8.2.2 – Use a voluntary partnership approach with landowners as the primary means for achieving the protection of areas of significant indigenous biodiversity on private land, except for areas that are wetlands. Since 2000, the Council has undertaken a programme to identify and protect significant natural areas and indigenous biodiversity on private land in Marlborough. The Council has worked on the principle of a partnership approach, with landowners to achieve improvements in the protection of remaining significant natural areas. The rate of participation in this programme reflects the fact that most landowners want to protect unique ecosystems and species where they occur on their properties. The programme includes support through a landowner assistance programme operating alongside the field survey work. The programme is funded by the Council, central government’s biodiversity fund and landowners. This approach has allowed for property-based surveys to be carried out in cooperation with landowners. 8 – 6