Almost 3,000 submissions have been received on a proposal for marine-protected areas along the South-East Coast.

The South-East Marine Protection Forum’s proposal sought suggestions of sites for possible inclusion in a network of protected areas from Timaru to Waipapa Point in Southland.

Forum Chair, Maree Baker-Galloway, says she wasn't surprised at the high number of submissions.

An independent analyst has been engaged to provide a summary of the submissions.

The content will then be considered in the Forum’s next round of deliberations, and will be influential in shaping the recommendations made to government.