Archives For Ocean

Photo of the week: Banded sea krait

Department of Conservation —  23/04/2014

Today’s photo of the week is of a banded sea krait.

Sea kraits are occasional visitors to New Zealand’s waters but they are considered a native species because they arrive here naturally on ocean currents.

Banded sea krait.

Sea kraits spend part of their time on land, drinking fresh water and laying their eggs there.

They are likely to be accidental visitors as New Zealand is outside their normal tropical range. They are found abundantly in the reef systems around Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, and their usual prey is eels.

 Photo by Tom Gruber | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

In Marine, Native animals , , , , ,
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Photo of the week: Dusky dolphins

Department of Conservation —  19/03/2014

Today’s photo of the week is of a pod of playful dusky dolphins showing off their acrobatic skills near the Kaikoura coast.

Dusky dolphins off the Kaikoura coast. Photo: Bernd Plonderer.

Plans for a new marine reserve, whale and fur seal sanctuary, five customary fishing areas and amateur fishing regulations for Kaikoura’s coast and ocean were announced over the weekend.

This area is the most biologically rich ocean over 500 metres deep anywhere in the world, because of its deep canyon so close to shore.

It is hoped that these new marine protections and management tools will be in place by 2015.

This photo was taken by Bernd Plonderer | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

In Native animals, Nelson/Marlborough, Photo of the week , , , , , , , , , ,
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