Reef Life Survey of biodiversity in northern New Zealand

Published:  

August 2013
A team of volunteer divers assessed the biodiversity in northern marine reserves and associated coastlines in the first Reef Life Survey undertaken in New Zealand. Published 2013.

Download the publication

Factsheet: Marine survey of northern New Zealand (PDF, 14,640K)

Report: Reef Life Survey assessment of biodiversity in northern New Zealand marine reserves and associated coastlines (PDF, 2,236K)

Summary

This report summarises results of subtidal surveys of marine animals and macroalgae undertaken between September 2012 and January 2013 within northern New Zealand marine reserves and fished coastlines.

Surveys were undertaken through the Reef Life Survey programme, an initiative that utilises the skills and enthusiasm of volunteer divers trained to a scientific level in underwater visual census techniques. 

The surveys of 123 rocky reef sites distributed across northern New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands confirmed the global uniqueness of New Zealand’s marine natural values. In particular, over one-third of the fish species recorded on rocky reefs naturally occur only in New Zealand waters. 

Publication information

Edgar, G., Stuart-Smith, S., Thomson, R., Freeman, D., and Southwood, P. 2013. Reef Life Survey assessment of biodiversity in northern New Zealand marine reserves and associated coastlines. Report prepared by Aquenal Pty Ltd and Reef Life Survey Inc., Hobart, for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. 52p.

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