Good News for Whales
University of Auckland marine scientist Rochelle Constantine tells Radio NZ’s Kathryn Ryan that a conservation crisis for the Hauraki Gulf’s Bryde’s whale population has been averted.
NEWS
Birds in trouble
A new report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says New Zealand’s native birds are in a desperate situation.
A third were found to be in danger of becoming extinct.
“Ninety-three of our bird species are found in no other country”, said Dr Wright. “We must look after them. Our birds need help not only in national parks, but on farms, along rivers and coasts, and in cities. This is a battle for all New Zealanders.”
Crayfish concern
The Ministry for Primary Industries says it is aware of concerns over the availability of crayfish (rock lobster) in the Hauraki Gulf and has brought a scientific review of the fishery forward from 2018 to later this year.
MPI will also initiate an engagement process to characterise problems and potential solutions for management of the fishery. This will inform catch limit settings from April 2018 and other management controls. As an interim measure the CRA2 industry has voluntarily cut its commercial catch by a quarter from 200 to 150 tonnes.
Marine pests spread
Marine pests appear to be spreading in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland Council has reported detection of a population of Eudistoma elongatum (Australian droplet tunicate) at Waiheke Island, previously known within Auckland at Mahurangi Harbour and Sandspit. Sabella spallanzanii (Mediterranean fanworm) has been detected at Great Barrier Island, with localised populations at Port Fitzroy and on the hull of a boat at Tryphena harbour.
A Waikato Regional Council survey in 2016 found Sabella within Coromandel harbour and its presence at high densities. The new survey is underway to check 150 random points in and the harbour and remove any organisms found.
Councils are working together with the Ministry of Primary Industries in a Top of the North Marine Biosecurity Partnership and will assess the new information and its implications for future management activities.
DOC Community Fund opens
The fourth round of the Department of Conservation’s multi-million-dollar fund to support community conservation projects has opened for applications.
The fund had supported over 300 different projects to date, with around $4.15 million to be allocated this year.
“The DOC Community Fund encourages everyday New Zealanders to take ownership and lend a hand to important projects that matter to their communities,” Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says.
Expressions of interest are required by 23 June 2017, with successful applicants to be invited to submit a full application.
Last year funded projects included weed control on Motuihe Island (Motuihe Trust), Motuora Island (Motuora Restoration Society) and Te Matuku Bay on Waiheke (Te Matuku Bay Landcare Group), rat and cat control in the Windy Hill Sanctuary on Great Barrier (Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust), translocation of Coromandel brown kiwi to Motutapu (Motutapu Restoration Trust), wilding pine control at Te Karo Bay, eastern Coromandel (Tairua Environment Society) and kiwi recovery work on the Kuaotunu Peninsula, eastern Coromandel (Project Kiwi Trust).
Rust threatens pohutukawa
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and DOC are working together to address the threat of fungal plant disease myrtle rust.
Myrtle rust has been found in Kerikeri in Northland and Waitara in Taranaki. It is also widespread on Raoul Island in the Kermadec group, about 1,100km north-east of NZ.
This pest could have serious impacts on a wide range of plants in the myrtle family, including pohutukawa, kanuka, manuka and rata, as well as commercially-grown species such as eucalyptus, guava and feijoa.
Anyone believing they have seen myrtle rust on plants in New Zealand should call MPI on 0800 80 99 66. Do not attempt to collect samples as this may aid in the spread of the disease.
Branson meets Takahē
International entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Richard Branson has accompanied Auckland Zoo staff to Rotoroa Island to perform a health check on the island’s first takahē chick.
He also planted trees with Auckland mayor Phil Goff at Shakespear Regional Park.
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11825552
Hauturu showreel
The Little Barrier Island Supporters Trust has launched a new documentary to profile the wonders of Te Hauturu te-o-Toi. Little Barrier Island: New Zealand’s Ark showcases the island’s stony shores and their resident reptiles; its high ridges, riddled with the burrows of sea birds; and ventures deep into primeval forest, where native birds, insects and the ancient tuatara thrive.
The film is an opportunity for the public to appreciate the nature reserve, where visitor numbers and movements are strictly regulated. The documentary has been produced by multi-award winning natural history production house NHNZ. littlebarrierisland.org.nz
Tiri helps hihi back
One of New Zealand’s rarest bush birds, the hihi has returned to Taranaki after a 130-year absence. Forty hihi/stichbird were released into the bush at Rotokare Scenic Reserve near Eltham earlier this month.
Hihi were once common throughout the North Island but have been absent from Taranaki due to introduced mammalian pests.
The birds, 20 males and 20 females, were translocated from Tiritiri Matangi. They joined other rare and endangered species, such as kiwi, tīeke, the rare fernbird and spotless crake in the fenced, predator-free sanctuary.
Dark sky bid
Great Barrier Island has applied to the Arizona-based International Dark-Sky Association to be declared an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, capitalising on its lack of light pollution and brilliant starry nights. A Dark Sky Sanctuary must have an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment, and is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage and/or public enjoyment.
Dolphin release praised
Sanford Ltd has congratulated the skipper of a purse seiner who released a net of jack mackerel after half a dozen dolphins swam into it. The San Columbia was fishing off the Tauranga coast when the incident occurred, witnessed by a boatload of recreational fishers.
About 30 tonnes of fish were lost when the skipper chose to release bow end of the net enabling the dolphins, and the jack mackerel to escape.
Hauraki seismic research
The Earthquake Commission is funding research to improve the understanding of known and potential faults in the Hauraki Rift; a geological area running through the Auckland and Waikato regions including the Hauraki Gulf, Firth of Thames and Hauraki Plains.
“The Christchurch earthquakes highlighted the need to research and better understand slower moving geological structures that have the potential to pose a significant natural hazard risk to high population areas and infrastructure,” says University of Auckland’s Dr Jennifer Eccles who will lead an team of international researchers.
Former Blake boat to visit
The French schooner Tara is coming to New Zealand for the first time since the death of Kiwi yachtsman, environmentalist and hero, Sir Peter Blake.
Originally Sir Peter’s yacht Seamaster, Tara will tie up alongside the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre for 10 days in July, associated with an outdoor photographic exhibition, boat tours, and an Auckland Conversations event celebrating ocean leadership.
First GIFT grant
The potential for achieving a high-value, low-impact Hauraki Gulf fishery through impact investment is the subject of a feasibility study being funded by Foundation North.
It is the first initiative to receive a grant from the foundation’s five million dollar Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT) investment.
The study, by EnviroStrat, will look at the feasibility of new investments that generate a financial return while also delivering a positive impact on the natural resources, ecosystems, and communities of the Gulf.
Envirostrat’s lead for the feasibility study, Dr Nigel Bradly, says the study will address some of the major issues at the heart of the recently released Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan (Sea Change / Tai Timu Tai Pari).
Tipping points conference
The Environmental Defence Society will consider tipping points in its annual conference to be held in Auckland on 9-10 August. EDS says the conference will address important issues regarding the state of New Zealand’s terrestrial, marine and freshwater biodiversity.
“Recent state of the environment reporting shows New Zealand faces continuing challenges with ecological losses. We will dig deep into these issues and focus on solutions. Being an election year, we will be profiling political party leaders and looking for high quality engagement from all attendees.”
Applications for customary marine title
Several applications to seek customary marine title for areas within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park have been submitted under the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act, 2011.
The deadline for applications was 3 April 2017 and applications are currently being processed by the Department of Justice.
Applications have been submitted on behalf of whānau in the Pakiri and Waimango areas, the hapū of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei in relation to the inner Waitematā, and the iwi of Ngāti Porou ki Hauraki in the Harataunga/ Kennedy Bay area.
The Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011 acknowledges the importance of the marine and coastal area to all New Zealanders and provides for the recognition of the customary rights of iwi, hapū and whānau in the common marine and coastal area. Public access to the common marine and coastal area is guaranteed by the Act.
Further information is available here. Interview with Ngarimu Blair
Debbie hits Motutapu hard
Cyclone Debbie has left a huge mark on Motutapu island. Slips and landslides affect almost the whole island with roads, tracks and campground closed to the public since the storm hit on April 4.
Fortunately the Trust’s nursery and Reid Homestead were unscathed. The Motutapu Restoration Trust hoped to resume public planting days in May. Coromandel Brown Kiwi now number 34 on Motutapu. Removing eggs from the wild and hatching them in a predator-free environment increases the chance of survival from 5% to 95%.
QE2 covenants pay dividends
A study by the University of Waikato Institute for Business Research has found that QEII National Trust covenanting landowners are together spending an estimated $25 million of their own money every year to protect native species, forests, wetlands, and other special areas in their QEII covenants.
These landowners, the majority of which are farmers, have made an overall financial commitment of around $1.1 to $1.3 billion to protect these special areas of private and leased land since the QEII National Trust was set up forty years ago.
Waterway protection (20%), restoration planting (19%), wetland restoration (18%), weed control (15%), pest control (7%) and fence maintenance (7%) are the major contributors to total maintenance costs for QEII covenants.
Leaving a legacy
The Auckland Communities Foundation has launched a new website making it easier for people to make a lasting difference to the Gulf and beyond.
Foundation CEO Dellwyn Stuart says “A lovely couple we know, have, like many others, lived a good life in Auckland. Nothing flashy, just an everyday great Kiwi life. They appreciate that the city has been good to them. They’ve had lots of opportunities and turned them into successes. Time out on the harbour and its beaches has played a big part of their weekends and holidays. In their 60s now, fit and healthy, they travel a lot and recently turned their mind to their wills and what they will do with the bounty from a good life. They had heard about the community foundation and liked the model. It appealed to them in its simplicity as the ideal place for them to leave a specific gift from their estate. They want that gift to go towards ensuring children of future generations get to know our harbour, care for it and enjoy it as they have.”