Marine life has flourished around the wreck of the cargo ship Rena off the coast of Tauranga, a coalition of conservationists says.
Underwater images of the cargo ship wreck by photographer Darryl Torkler
The group, made up of scuba divers, recreational fishers and local Māori, has been campaigning to extend the protection of the Astrolabe Reef through a temporary ban on fishing within three nautical miles of it.
It has been more than four years since the ship smashed into the reef.
A campaign leader, Te Atarangi Sayers, said there had been sightings of hāpuku in the shallows and the area must be protected from bigger commercial fishing companies.
Mr Sayers, who is a marine biologist, told Sunday Morning there needed to be a wider conversation about marine protection in the Bay of Plenty, because there had been a massive decline in fish stocks.
There had been reports of a significant rebounding of fish stocks around the reef, he said.
"It is really positive to see some [good] out of such a tragedy."
Maintaining the restricted fishing area would bring more tourists and create a massive economic boost, he said.
Over the past 50 years, there had been a plunge in fish stocks, with the Bay of Plenty being referred to as the "Bay of Empty", he said.
"It is a sad reality that once upon a time there was acres of fish."
The group has made an application to the Ministry of Primary Industries for a two-year temporary closure of the area so the community could have time to debate how best to use ocean resources, he said.
