Open Bay Islands

Open Bay Islands

Maori:
Geography
Location	Westland District
Coordinates	43°52′S 168°53′E / 43.867°S 168.883°E / -43.867; 168.883
Total islands	2
Country
New Zealand
Demographics
Population	(?)

The Open Bay Islands are located off the south-west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The group comprises two main islands Taumaka and Popotai plus several smaller islets and rocks. They lie approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) offshore from the Okuru River mouth, near Haast and are owned by Poutini Ngai Tahu.

Taumaka is the larger island (c. 20 ha/49 acres, 660 m/722 yd long and 260 m/284 yd wide reaching a plateau 21 m/69 ft above sea level) and is separated from Popotai (400 m/437 yd long and 200 m/219 yd wide) by a narrow channel.^{[1] [2]} Although introduced mammals are not known ever to have reached the islands, the introduction of weka (a native flightless rail, Gallirallus australis) from the South Island in the early 1900s is believed to have had an adverse impact on the flora and fauna of the islands.^[1][2][3][4] The Open Bay Islands support several endemic species, including a terrestrial leech (Hirudobdella antipodum),^[1][2] an undescribed gecko species (aff. Hoplodactylus granulatus),^[5] and a skink - the Open Bay Islands skink.

The Department of Conservation have recommended to the Minister of Conservation that weka should be removed from the islands. The Trust which governs the island agreed to having them removed on the condition that they are not killed.^[6]

Coordinates: 43°52′S 168°53′E / 43.867°S 168.883°E / -43.867; 168.883

See also

• Islands of New Zealand

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Miller, Craig (September 1997,). "Occurrence and ecology of the Open Bay Islands leech, Hirudobdella antipodium". Science for Conservation: 57 (Department of Conservation). ISSN 1173–2946. http://www.doc.govt.nz/upload/documents/science-and-technical/Sfc057.pdf. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Miller, Craig (December 1999). "Conservation of the Open Bay Islands' leech, Hirudobdella antipodum". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand (Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand) 29 (4): pp 301–306. doi:10.1080/03014223.1999.9517599. ISSN 1175-8899. http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/169382__920549742.pdf. 
3. ^ Stirling, I. & Johns, P.M. (1969) "Notes on the bird fauna of Open Bay islands", Notornis 16(121-125).
4. ^ Burrows, C.J. (1972) "The flora and vegetation of Open Bay Islands", Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 2 (15-42).
5. ^ Hitchmough, R., Bull, L. and Cromarty, P. (compilers) (2007) "New Zealand Threat Classification System lists— 2005", Dept of Conservation, Wellington.
6. ^ Glass, Amy (23 July 2010). "Colony of inbred wekas may have a lucky escape". The Press. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3949003/Colony-of-inbred-wekas-may-have-a-lucky-escape. Retrieved 31 July 2010. 

External links