Te Angiangi Marine Reserve celebrated
Date: 10 March 2008
Seaweek 2008 began with a splash this year when a Hawke's Bay success story was celebrated. The first decade of Te Angiangi Marine Reserve was commemorated early on Sunday morning. Mr John Adams from the Department of Conservation said that the success of the marine reserve is a tribute to the many people who have been involved in its establishment and protection.
"In many ways there is nothing remarkable about this area of coastline. The marine reserve is small and contains nothing unique. But it is a representative area of Hawke's Bay coastline, and in ten years of protection it has become home to an impressive array of marine life. It is now becoming an example of what the local coastline was like before human activities altered marine habitats," Mr Adams said.
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is located on the Central Hawke's Bay coast, approximately 30 km east of Waipukurau. It covers an area of 446 hectares extending one nautical mile offshore between Blackhead and Aramoana beaches. The marine reserve was established in August 1997 following almost ten years of consultation with local iwi and interest groups and scientific investigation of a number of suitable sites in the Central Hawke's Bay coastal area.
Annual monitoring by Department of Conservation (DOC) staff has provided evidence of a significant increase in the size and quantity of fish species present. Crayfish in particular, have increased in size and number inside the reserve. Recent surveys suggest that a "spillover" effect may be occurring, with individual large crayfish being recorded in nearby monitored sites outside the marine reserve.
In protecting the marine reserve, DOC has been assisted by a very active advisory committee and honorary warden system. Te Angiangi Marine Reserve has attracted growing visitor numbers and is very popular with school groups. There is also strong community support for a range of planned educational initiatives associated with the marine reserve.
"Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is a fine example of what can be achieved when people make a concerted effort to protect the environment. Given some breathing space, marine habitats as found at Te Angiangi Marine Reserve are returning to a more natural balance."
"That doesn't mean that the marine reserve is locked away from people. The growing popularity of Te Angiangi Marine Reserve as a place to study, play and appreciate a natural environment demonstrates that people are an essential part of the equation" Mr Adams said.