Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve

Last updated
Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
Garden Jules Surfacing.jpg
Bradshaw Sound
NZ-SI plain map.png
Disc Plain red.svg
Location Fiordland, New Zealand
Coordinates 45°17′56″S167°07′36″E / 45.2987752°S 167.1265985°E / -45.2987752; 167.1265985
Area433 hectares (1,070 acres)
Established2005
Governing body Department of Conservation

Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 433 hectares (1,070 acres) at Gaer Arm in the Bradshaw Sound of Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation. [1] [2]

Contents

Geography and ecology

In the fiords, heavy rainfall runs off from the surrounding mountains creates a permanent freshwater layer to about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 10 metres (33 ft) below the surface. A layer of calm, clear and warm seawater provides a habitat for a range of sponges, corals and fish to about 40 metres (130 ft) below the surface. A final layer of seawater, too darkened by tannins from vegetation run-off to support most marine life, extends to depths of up to 400 metres (1,300 ft). [3]

The marine reserve contains a range of habitats, including the Camelot River estuary. It has a shallow basin and sediment fan, before dropping to depths of 100 metres (330 ft) at the entrance to Gaer Arm. The basin has some of the largest populations of cockle and pipi in Doubtful Sound, providing food for grouper, tarakihi and other fish. There are also areas of seagrass flats. [1]

The eastern side of the reserve has an extensive rock wall, mostly facing south and shaded from direct sunlight, with vertical drops of 59–60 metres (194–197 ft). This provides a habitat for many anemones and other sessile suspension feeders. [1]

The western side of the Gaer Arm has more broken rocky reef habitat, with underwater boulders and a river overflow. [1]

History

The Māori name Hāwea is after the ancient iwi of Kāti Hāwea. [4]

The reserve was part of a conservation strategy the Fiordland Marine Guardians launched in 2002 and presented to the Ministry for the Environment Marian Hobbs and Minister of Fisheries Pete Hodgson in 2003. [5] It was officially established on 21 April 2005. [6] [2]

The Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiordland Marine Guardians and other agencies are involved in protecting the marine reserve and stopping the spread of invasive seaweed. [3]

The New Zealand Air Force conducted aerial surveillance patrols for illegal commercial fishing in 2021. [7]

Research

Educational and scientific activities are encouraged, but must not disturb or endanger plants, animals or natural features. Scientific research requires a permit from the Department of Conservation. [3]

Recreation

The reserve is accessible from Te Anau via the Milford Road. Anchoring boats is banned in many areas to protect the particularly fragile species that can be damaged by anchors or swinging chains. There also rules in place to minimise the impact of vessel activity on aihe (bottlenose dolphins). Taking off and landing aircraft is permitted. [1] [3]

The protected marine life can be viewed by diving or snorkelling, either independently or with a tourism or charter boat service. To protect the fragile environments, divers must follow the safety and care codes. [3]

There is a ban on fishing, and taking, killing or moving marine life and materials. However, members of Ngāi Tahu may remove pounamu provided they have the right authorisation, only collect by hand, keep disturbance to the site to a minimum, and only carry as much as they can in one trip. They may also collect deceased marine mammals and collect teeth and bones. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiordland</span> Geographical region of New Zealand

Fiordland is a geographical region of New Zealand in the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the westernmost third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes, and its steep, glacier-carved and now ocean-flooded western valleys. The name "Fiordland" comes from a variant spelling of the Scandinavian word for this type of steep valley, "fjord". The area of Fiordland is dominated by, and very roughly coterminous with, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's largest National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doubtful Sound / Patea</span> Fiord in New Zealand

Doubtful Sound / Patea is a fiord in Fiordland, in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. It took second place after Milford Sound as New Zealand's most famous tourism destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine reserves of New Zealand</span>

New Zealand has 44 marine reserves spread around the North, the South Island, and neighbouring islands, and on outlying island groups. They are governed by the Marine Reserves Act 1971 and administered by the Department of Conservation with assistance from the Ministry of Fisheries, New Zealand Customs and the New Zealand Defence Forces.

The Camelot River is a river of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. It is formed from the confluence of the Elaine Stream and Cozette Burn and flows west into the Gaer Arm of Kaikiekie / Bradshaw Sound. The estuary is protected by the Kutu Parera Marine Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradshaw Sound</span>

Kaikiekie / Bradshaw Sound is one of the larger New Zealand fiords. It is one of the sub fiords/arms that make up the Doubtful Sound/Thompson Sound complex and forms the northernmost of the blind or dead end fiords in this system.

Hawea Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 411 hectares in Hāwea / Bligh Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve</span>

Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 1,075 hectares south-west and north-east of Ulva Island, in the Paterson Inlet of New Zealand's Stewart Island. It was established in 2004 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kahurangi Marine Reserve</span>

Kahurangi Marine Reserve is a marine reserve administered by the Department of Conservation, covering 8,419 hectares offshore of Kahurangi National Park in the Buller District of New Zealand's West Coast Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parininihi Marine Reserve</span>

Parininihi Marine Reserve is a marine reserve administered by the Department of Conservation, covering 1,800 hectares in the North Taranaki Bight. It is located offshore of the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, north-east of New Plymouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punakaiki Marine Reserve</span>

Punakaiki Marine Reserve is a marine reserve administered by the Department of Conservation. The reserve includes the area of sea surrounding the pancake rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point, at Punakaiki on the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It also includes most of the coastline on the western edge of Paparoa National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tauparikākā Marine Reserve</span>

Tauparikākā Marine Reserve is a marine reserve located offshore about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Haast on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It covers the area immediately offshore from Ship Creek, which is also known as Tauparikākā in Māori.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Angiangi Marine Reserve</span>

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering a marine area of 446 hectares in the Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island. It was established in 1997 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Kahukura Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 464 hectares in Charles Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula) Marine Reserve</span>

Taumoana Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 464 hectares in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation. It is located next to the Five Fingers Peninsula, at the entrance to Tamatea / Dusky Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve</span>

Te Tapuwae o Hua Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 3,672 hectares in Te Awaroa / Long Sound in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Moana Uta Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering the entire length of Wet Jacket Arm in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island, an area of 2,007 hectares. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve</span>

Piopiotahi Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 690 hectares in the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1993 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve</span> Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Taipari Roa Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 613 hectares around Elizabeth Island, in the inner Doubtful Sound / Patea of Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

Te Hapua Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 449 hectares of Te Hāpua / Sutherland Sound, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 2005 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve</span>

Te Awaatu Channel Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 93 hectares in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1993 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  2. 1 2 Hutching, Gerard. "Marine protected areas". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fiordland marine reserves". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
  4. ↑ "NZGB notices – October 2019". Land Information New Zealand. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  5. ↑ "History". fmg.org.nz. Fiordland Marine Guardians.
  6. ↑ "Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005". legislation.govt.nz. New Zealand Government.
  7. ↑ Baker, Che (7 December 2021). "Illegal fishing targeted in Southland surveillance operation". stuff.co.nz.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.