Summer services update
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), every State has the right to conduct marine scientific research (MSR), subject to the rights and duties of the coastal State in whose jurisdiction the research is being conducted. Coastal States have the exclusive right to regulate, authorise and conduct MSR in their Territorial Sea. For MSR in their EEZ or Continental Shelf States shall grant their consent although certain conditions may be attached. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on behalf of the New Zealand Government receives and manages MSR applications from scientists from other countries seeking to undertake MSR in New Zealand’s Territorial Sea, EEZ and Continental Shelf.
Information about applying for consent to carry out MSR in New Zealand’s waters can be found on the MFAT website:
Consents granted to applicants to undertake MSR usually contain conditions including, but not limited to, a requirement to provide New Zealand with data, samples and reports about their research.
The role of Toitū Te Whenua LINZ is to ensure that researchers comply with their obligations. Toitū Te Whenua’s MSR Coordinator acts as the point of contact for all MSR-related data and report enquiries and can be reached at MSR-NZ@linz.govt.nz.
For information about New Zealand’s requirements for MSR-related data, samples and reports see Information for researchers.
The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) manages and regulates applications to undertake MSR in New Zealand’s EEZ and Continental Shelf from:
- All New Zealanders
- People from other countries who do not meet the exclusion under section 9(1)(e) of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects ) Act 2012.
New Zealanders and people who do not meet the exclusion under section 9(1)(e) must comply with the requirements of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects - Permitted Activities) Regulation 2013.
The EPA publishes information about current and completed MSR activities on their website. You can view the current and completed activities at:
Information for researchers
Marine science researchers are required to submit to the New Zealand Government the following information relating to New Zealand’s marine jurisdiction:
- A preliminary voyage report
- Copies of all data collected
- Copies of the scientific reports
- Geological and biological samples
Toitū Te Whenua’s MSR Coordinator will liaise with scientists undertaking MSR to facilitate the timely receipt of all reports, data and samples. The MSR Coordinator can be contacted at MSR-NZ@linz.govt.nz.
The preliminary voyage report, to be submitted to MSR-NZ@linz.govt.nz within the timeframe stated in the application for consent, details when and how the preliminary and final results of the marine research will be made available.
Copies of all data collected and reports prepared based on data collected in areas under New Zealand's jurisdiction, or details of where such data and reports can be obtained, are to be submitted to MSR-NZ@linz.govt.nz as soon as possible, and in any case within a 12 month period, after the conclusion of the voyage. This information will be treated as public information and may be made available via the internet unless another arrangement is reached with the New Zealand Government.
Geological and biological samples which may be divided without detriment to their scientific values are to be deposited at a New Zealand institution as soon as possible after the conclusion of the voyage. The MSR Coordinator can assist with delivery of such samples. For any other samples collected, details of where such samples have been deposited are to be forwarded to the MSR Coordinator.
Voyage information
Download the spreadsheet for details about recent and upcoming science research voyages. The spreadsheet contains voyage dates, the purpose and type(s) of reports available from the MSR Coordinator.