Newly-claimed seascapes: Options and potential applications : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science in Environmental Management at Lincoln University

Abstract

Worldwide, communities and natural ecosystems are challenged by rising seas. Understandably, much of the response has focused on hazard mitigation to protect human populations, investment and infrastructure. As communities are forced to retreat from coastal areas and as inundation occurs, our coastal margins will change. I term these newly inundated areas “newly-claimed seascapes” (NCSs). The available options for NCSs are currently unclear. For some places, where the social, political and environmental conditions permit, there may be opportunities to repurpose them. For example, for sheltered coastal areas, shallow estuaries and harbours, they could be repurposed for aquaculture, fisheries, wetlands, and/or blue carbon. To aid policy and community preparation, this research used a global systematic literature review to identify options for NSCs. Thirty-nine potential options were identified and categorised to aid policy reform and coastal adaptation. Using Aotearoa/New Zealand as a case study to explore whether repurposing is feasible under current legislative frameworks, I undertook a content analysis of applicable legislation and policy. Finally, to determine the current state of play for local planning in this context, I interviewed a representative of regional councils currently reviewing their regional coastal plans to ascertain whether they are considering repurposing NCSs. Whilst repurposing is implicitly enabled under the current legislation, it is not explicitly directed. As a result, the interviewed regional councils were not preparing to repurpose NCSs at the time of this research. Given that the time to find solutions for coastal areas is becoming increasingly constrained, I argue that the PARA (protect, accommodate, retreat, avoid) management framework currently being promoted as best practice in responding to sea-level rise could be extended to PARAR to include the term Repurpose. Repurposing could help to broaden perspectives on sea-level rise from a sense of fear and loss to positive solutions and opportunities.