2. Background Volume One mechanism by which management occurs. This could range from permitted activity through to discretionary activity status. Management is also appropriate through a wide range of non- regulatory methods or through regulatory methods available under other statutes. These can include information sharing, use of guidelines, codes of practice, bylaws etc. Protect Similar to other words in this section, ‘protect’ can be interpreted in a number of ways. It can be interpreted in a narrow way that may effectively limit future use and development of some of Marlborough’s natural and physical resources. However, ‘protect’ essentially means to keep safe from harm and this can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, the protection of areas of indigenous biodiversity could be achieved through rules in a plan, legal protection of land, fencing, active pest control and/or improved land management practices, or a combination of these approaches. It is therefore important that decision makers or those using the MEP provisions read the explanation of the relevant provision, as this will inform how ‘protection’ is to occur. Unless there is a clear direction within a protection policy or its explanation or associated method that an activity/effect is to be prevented from occurring, a policy is open to be interpreted more broadly. In summary, the 'protection' anticipated by Sections 6(a) and (b) is not an absolute protection: rather, it is protection from inappropriate subdivision, use and development. Identifying what is inappropriate is informed through other policies of the MEP. 2 – 14