Marine mammal management plan for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix released

The world’s first climate positive sports and entertainment property, SailGP recognises its shared responsibility to protect the environments in which it operates and has rigorous marine mammal protection protocols in place for every city it visits, including Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

The MMMP for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix has been developed under the guidance of Te Roopū Tiaki Whakaraupō Advisory Group, in partnership with Te Hapū ō Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki, manawhenua and mana moana over Whakaraupō. The plan was collated by local experts, Enviser Limited, with event logistics provided by SailGP and technical expertise provided by Cawthron Institute and Styles Group Underwater Acoustics. Members of Te Roopū Tiaki Whakaraupō Advisory Group provided input, expertise and review of the MMMP throughout its development, including representatives from Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Rāpaki, the Department of Conservation (DOC), Environment Canterbury, Live Ocean and University of Otago researcher and Professor Emeritus Steve Dawson.

Karl Budge, Head of the New Zealand event says, “The marine mammal management plan for Whakaraupō, Lyttelton Harbour has been developed side by side with manawhenua and under the guidance of some of New Zealand’s leading marine mammal experts. There has been an enormous amount of effort and investment by many to protect the Hector’s Dolphins and other marine species when we race in Lyttelton next March.”