Marine reserves in New Zealand: Use rights, public attitudes, and social impacts

Marine‐protected areas are usually justified and assessed with reference to ecological priorities, but they also have important social and economic implications. Changes in resource use rights that are associated with the establishment of marine reserves often engender strong public opposition. This suggests that effective planning for protected areas should include surveys of public attitudes, opportunities for public involvement in decisions, and efforts to discern the nature and extent of social impacts. This article discusses these issues in the context of two marine‐protected areas that have been established in New Zealand.