Monitoring
A baseline survey of estuarine habitats and communities (including detailed habitat mapping) was undertaken prior to the marine reserve being established. There have, however, been no follow-up surveys undertaken apart from colour aerial photography of the entire inlet in 2001.
Photographs of intertidal habitats and communities are available for future reference. These photographs will be able to be used to map broad and long term changes in the intertidal habitats within the marine reserve.
Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine Reserve
Westhaven Inlet is a dual marine protected area with a marine reserve in the southern 1/3 and a wildlife management reserve over the remaining 2/3 of the estuary. The principal objective of protection was to protect the productive estuarine habitats (saltmarsh, Zostera beds and tidal flats) which ultimately support the rich array of wildlife and fish that visit and utilise the estuary.
The Wildlife Management Reserve is open to fishing, and the estuary mostly drains at low tide. Accordingly, it is not envisaged that there will be any significant changes to fish numbers within the marine reserve as a result of marine reserve protection.
No detailed monitoring is planned for Westhaven Inlet apart from mapping broad long-term habitat changes using aerial photography.