Taputeranga Marine Reserve

Taputeranga Marine Reserve is an area of sea and coast along the southern edge of Wellington City, in New Zealand. It was officially opened in September 2008. [ [http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/capital%E2%80%99s+new+marine+reserve+now+open Beehive press release - Capital’s new marine reserve now open] ]

Location and area

The reserve covers 969 hectares and includes all foreshore up to “mean high water spring.” The boundaries are shown on the map, [http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/Marine-and-Coastal/Marine-Reserves/Taputeranga-Marine-Reserve-Proposal.asp here]

Origins

The application for a reserve came from a community coalition—the South Coast Marine Reserve Coalition and the New Zealand Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society Inc.

The Department of Conservation initially proposed the possibility of a marine reserve on the Wellington coast in the late 1980s, but left the idea to concentrate on a Kapiti marine reserve. The main work began in 1991 when the community coalition decided to advance the idea.

Attributes

Wellington’s south coast is a great location for a marine reserve for two main reasons. First, it has great natural values, a unique collection of ecological qualities. The reserve would be on the doorstep of the capital city, putting it within easy reach of more than 150,000 people and several marine science institutions. The area has been the focus of extensive scientific research for the past 20~30 years. The coast’s natural values arise in part from the collision of three oceanic currents. The result is a rich and varied mix of plants and animals that thrive in a “soup” of cold sub-Antarctic and warm Pacific waters. The mix of plants and animals is unique in New Zealand

The south coast is also blessed with complex undersea landforms that combine with the high energy currents to create many types of habitat.

ee also

* Island Bay
* Te Raekaihau Point
* Tapu Te Ranga Motu (Island)
* Tapu Te Ranga Marae
* Kaitiaki
* Ngāti Toa

References

* Christie, Patrick, "Marine Protected Areas and Biological Successes and Social Failures in Southeast Asia." School of Marine Affairs and Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. University of Washington. Washington. January 5, 2004.
* Halpern, B. and R. Warner (2002). "Marine reserves have rapid and lasting effects." Ecology Letters 5: 361-366.
* Pauly, D. et al, "Towards sustainability in world fisheries." University of British Columbia, Canada. 2002
* Russ, G. R. and A. C. Alcala (2004). "Marine reserves: long-term protection is required for full recovery of predatory fish species." Oecologia 138: 622-627.
* Fabio Spadi (2000), "Navigation in Marine Protected Areas: National and International Law", [http://taylorandfrancis.metapress.com/(p5piqryelmaeby2ddut4hr45)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=searcharticlesresults,1,1;homemain,1,1;"Ocean Development & International Law"] 31: 285-302.

External links

* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=66513 Department of Conservation] - Taputeranga Marine Reserve