Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve

Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve
Long Island, as viewed from Motuara Island
Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve
Location	Marlborough Region, New Zealand
Nearest city	Picton
Coordinates	41°07′09″S174°16′01″E / 41.1192583°S 174.2669572°E / -41.1192583; 174.2669572
Area	619 hectares (1,530 acres)
Established	1993
Governing body	Department of Conservation

Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve is a marine reserve, in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island. It covers an area of 619 hectares at the entrance to the Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds. ^{[1] [2]} It was the first marine reserve established on the South Island. ^[3]

The reserve includes Long Island and the tiny Kokomohua Islands to its north, and a largely submerged reef which connects the islands and extends north-east about 500m. ^[2] The marine reserve extends an area a further 463 metres to the northeast, ^[4] where there are several rocky pinnacles in deep water. ^[2]

History

Pre-reserve history

In 1925, a ranger visited Long Island and recommended it become a reserve. A scenic reserve was established on the reserve the following year. ^[3]

In 1991, local divers recommended the area around the reserve be turned into a marine reserve. ^{[3] [5]} Commercial and recreational fishing was stopped in 1992. ^[6]

Reserve history

The reserve was formally established in March 1993. ^{[1] [7]}

In March 2011, a study commissioned by the Department of Conservation found more large blue cod than at any point in the previous 17 years. ^[8]

In 2014, a study commissioned by the Department of Conservation identified found marine life had become larger, changed their structure, become more abundant, had become more widely distributed, and changes to their behaviour. ^[9]

In March 2016, a report by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research identified a dramatic recovery of fish stocks following the end of commercial and recreational fishing. Predatory blue cod has increased by three times, blue moki had increased by 1.4 times, rock lobster had increased by 11.5 times, grazing black foot pāua has increased 1.4 times. There was also two thirds less grazing kina, especially small kina. It concluded this change reflected the resilience of the ecosystem, and the potential for restoration outside the reserve. ^[6]

In July 2020, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research identified microplastics on the sea floor of the marine reserve. ^[10]

Wildlife

Large blue cod are abundant in the reserve. ^[2] The reserve protects fish and shellfish, and seals, penguins and seabirds that feed in the sea. ^[11] In January 2022, 50 fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia) or pakahā chicks were translocated from the reserve to the newly-established Wharariki Ecosanctuary at Cape Farewell ^[12] They were the first species to be introduced to the new sanctuary. ^[13]

The rocky pinnacles are a habitat for schools of butterfly perch, tarakihi, rock lobster, blue cod, seaweed, sea sponges, and some dolphins and seals. ^{[2] [11]}

Recreation

The reserve is only accessible by boat from Picton. Activities include boating, swimming, snorkelling, and scuba-diving near the rocky reefs on the north-facing shore. ^[14] Unmarked reefs, tidal changes, strong currents, strong winds and sudden changes in sea conditions can be hazardous. ^[2] The rocky reefs are a popular feature for divers. ^[11]

Fishing, and taking or killing in other marine life, is not permitted. However, tangata whenua may access the reserve to remove nephrite and serpentine. ^[2]

There is no formal count of how many people visit the reserve, but evidence from compliance work suggested there were fewer recreational boats visiting the area by 2000, than before the park was established in 1993. ^[15]

See also

• Marine reserves of New Zealand

References

1. "Marine protected areas". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
2. "Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
3. Baldwin, Andy (29 November 2019). "Wartime relics and spooky submarine stations rediscovered on Sounds voyage". stuff.co.nz. Marlborough Express.
4. "Long Island - Kokomohua Marine Reserve Maps & boundaries". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
5. "Long Island Submarine monitoring station". theprow.org.nz. Nelson City Council.
6. "History of benthic change in Queen Charlotte Sound/Totaranui, Marlborough" (PDF). envirolink.govt.nz. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. March 2016.
7. "Marine Reserve (Long Island—Kokomohua) Order 1993". legislation.govt.nz. New Zealand Government.
8. Butterfield, Tania (25 May 2011). "Blue cod 'biggest in 17 years'". stuff.co.nz. Marlborough Express.
9. Davidson, Robert (2014). Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve, Queen Charlotte Sound: Update of Biological Monitoring 1992-2014 (PDF). Nelson: Davidson Environmental Limited.
10. "Study Discovers Microplastics In New Zealand's Seabed". scoop.co.nz. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. 16 July 2021.
11. Sivertsen, Juliette (17 December 2020). "New Zealand's best snorkel and dive locations". New Zealand Media and Entertainment. New Zealand Herald.
12. Sivignon, Cherie (20 January 2022). "First fluttering shearwater chicks arrive at Cape Farewell sanctuary". Stuff. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
13. Gee, Samantha (23 January 2022). "Hope seabirds establish new colony at Cape Farewell Sanctuary". RNZ. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
14. Curzon, Kathryn (17 March 2020). "Top 10 NZ marine reserves to visit". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Travel.
15. McCrone, Ann (March 2001). Visitor Impacts on Marine Protected Areas of New Zealand. Wellington: Department of Conservation.