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Archives For 30/11/1999

West Coast marine reserves

Department of Conservation —  08/09/2014

By Katrina Henderson, DOC Franz Josef

Five West Coast marine reserves were opened yesterday in Punakaiki—the culmination of nearly 10 years of work to protect more of our marine environment.

Kahurangi Marine Reserve coastline. Photo copyright of Andrise Apse.

Kahurangi Marine Reserve coastline

These are the first marine reserves to be created on the West Coast, bringing the total number of reserves in New Zealand to 44, covering 9.5% of the territorial sea.

They include three of the five largest marine reserves in mainland New Zealand.

The West Coast reserves cover a total area of more than 174 km2 and covers a range of unique West Coast ecosystems from the mountains out to sea.

Three reserves adjoin National Parks (Kahurangi, Paparoa and Westland Tai Poutini) and Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area shares a boundary with three reserves.

Hector's dolphins. Copyright: Brian Sheppard.

Hector’s dolphins

Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve and the small Tauparikākā Marine Reserve also border mātaitai reserves which help to extend the protection offered and recognise the shared responsibility we have in the guardian role with the tangata whenua.

Special species

A number of taonga species can be found within the West Coast marine reserve network including kekeno/New Zealand fur seal, kororā/little penguin, Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin, and rimurapa/bull kelp.

Upokohue/Hector’s dolphins are found along the coast, but Taupirikākā offers the chance to possibly spot these majestic creatures just metres from the shore, as they cruise the coast.

Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin. Photo copyright of John Reid.

Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin

The reserves are also home to plenty of other species of marine life, including turfing seaweeds, mussels, surf clams, reef stars, flatfish, gurnard, stargazers and sharks. Together, the five reserves aim to protect examples of the wide diversity of the region’s distinctive marine habitats and species.

A collaborative process

The process that led to the creation of these five marine reserves began in 2005. A joint initiative between DOC and the then Ministry of Fisheries led to the establishment of the West Coast Marine Protection Forum. This was a diverse group representing the many interests involved in the marine environment of the West Coast, ranging from tangata whenua and community representatives through to commercial fishermen and environmental protection advocates.

The Forum is an excellent example of the collaborative regional forum approach encouraged by New Zealand’s Marine Protected Areas policy.

Jewel anemones. Photo: P. Ryan.

Jewel anemones

Key to the approach of the forum was an emphasis in true West Coast style on common sense and compromise. In the Punakaiki Marine Reserve for example, two areas of beach were left out of the reserve to allow for recreational fishing, shellfish gathering and whitebaiting.

Recreational hand-picking of beach stones, non-living shells and driftwood is allowed in the reserves.

Quad biking and horse riding is also allowed on the foreshore of the reserves, but only in a manner that does not disturb marine life.

Read more on DOC’s website.

Ship Creek at dusk. Photo copyright of Andrise Apse.

Ship Creek at dusk

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Coral Identification Guide – New Zealand

Department of Conservation —  06/09/2014

We often think of corals as some sort of plant, or as inanimate rocks or stones, but coral are in fact animals — amazing animals at that.

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Southern right whale visits Otago Harbour

Department of Conservation —  01/09/2014

By DOC’s Andrea Crawford, Dunedin

A southern right whale/tohora and her calf were spotted cruising around Otago Harbour last week—coming close to the shore, showing off their acrobatic skills, and giving onlookers a dramatic display of their flukes and blowholes.

Southern right whale in Otago Harbour. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Southern right whale blowhole

These beautiful, inquisitive, gigantic mammals (adults are up to 18 metres long) are often seen along Otago’s coast during winter.

DOC Coastal Otago ranger Jim Fyfe tells me that their visits to Otago Harbour are increasing.

The fluke of the whale partially above water. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Fluke of the whale

These whales were once almost hunted to extinction, as they were deemed the “right” whales to catch—they were easy to approach, lived close to shore, and provided huge amounts of meat, oil and whalebone.

Southern right whales are showing signs of recovery, but we’re keeping a close eye on their movements around New Zealand to monitor their numbers.

Callosities on the head of the southern right whale. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Calcified skin patches known as callosities

If you see a southern right whale please call the DOC hotline immediately: 0800 DOCHOT (0800 36 24 68).

These fantastic photographs were taken and supplied by Stephen Jaquiery.

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Photo of the week: Laughing leopard seal

Department of Conservation —  20/08/2014

Don’t get too close! It’s no laughing matter…

Today’s photo—of penguins observing a leopard seal in Antarctica—gives us our prompt to remind you to take care when in the vicinity of seals and sea lions.

Leopard seal. Photo: ravas51 | flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0.

Around this time of the year, leopard seals can come to rest on shore.

Over the past week two leopard seals have been spotted on New Zealand beaches.

This is a rare treat, but also no cause for alarm—they are generally not in trouble and don’t need help.

“Leopard seals usually have weepy eyes, snotty noses, and look thin, and this is quite normal. The only concern would be if they had a large wound or were entangled in something,” says DOC ranger Steve Harraway.

Although charismatic, leopard seals are wild animals and should be treated with respect. Keep in mind that these animals are very large, with powerful jaws, and can be unpredictable.

Below are some simple guidelines to follow when watching seals and sea lions so as not to compromise your safety or that of the animals:

  • Always stay at least 20 metres from seals. Allow them space if they are active.
  • Do not disturb seals. Don’t make loud noises or throw objects in their vicinity.
  • Always keep dogs and small children under control and away from seals.
  • Never attempt to touch or handle a seal. They can be aggressive if threatened.
  • You can also catch diseases from seals through their skin, sneezes, coughs and barks, and you may also carry diseases that can transfer to them and make them ill.
  • Do not feed any seal.

If you see a leopard seal you should call your local DOC office or 0800DOCHOT—particularly if you see someone harassing one. It is an offence under the Marine Mammals Protection Act to injure, harass or disturb a marine mammal.

Photo: ravas51 | flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

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Every shark is different: Meet the great whites that frequent New Zealand waters

Department of Conservation —  16/08/2014

A joint 10-year Department of Conservation (DOC) and NIWA project to find out more about the great white sharks that inhabit New Zealand waters is coming to an end.

Great white shark with acoustic tag. Photo: Clinton Duffy / DOC.

Great white shark with acoustic tag

DOC’s Clinton Duffy, is one of several scientists who have spent the past decade tagging great whites—a protected species—and following their movements.

Clinton has a database of more than 100 sharks identified from their colour pattern and the shape of the dorsal fin.

Some familiar faces are seen each year at tagging time, because many sharks return annually to the same place.

White shark with acoustic tag. Photo: Clinton Duffy / DOC

Great white shark with acoustic tag

Because so few of us are lucky enough to meet a great white in flesh and fin, we thought we’d take this opportunity to introduce you to a handful of the great whites that frequent New Zealand waters:

Scarface is a bit of a character—inquisitive and a little aggressive:

Caro is one of the biggest female sharks we are tagging (3.7 metres) and certainly not shy:

Houdini, really lives up to his name. He evaded tagging for some time but eventually we put a popup tag on him:

Watch more videos (meet Pip and Ella!) and read more information about the great white shark research on NIWA’s website.

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