Fisheries New Zealand, Te Korowai, and the Kaikōura Marine Guardians are hosting an event for people to come along and hear researchers talk about the impacts of the earthquakes on Kaikōura’s marine environment.
Director of fisheries management Stuart Anderson says Fisheries New Zealand commissioned a broad research programme to better understand the impacts and any early recovery of the marine environment after the devastating earthquakes of November 2016.
"The $2 million Kaikōura earthquake marine recovery package funded research into the impact of the earthquakes on particular species and the ecology of the marine area," says Mr Anderson.
"The research has given us a good baseline to measure how the recovery is progressing and where we need to focus our attention in the future. Targeted indicator monitoring of the recovery progress will inform future marine management options for when and how the current closure of shellfish and seaweed fisheries may be lifted.
"I would encourage anyone in the region with an interest in our marine environment to come along and hear about the research and ask any questions they may have," Mr Anderson says.
Researchers will be presenting their findings on impacts and changes to:
- coastal marine geology
- intertidal and subtidal rocky reef ecology
- blue cod
- shellfish – pāua and rock lobster
- Hutton’s shearwater
- The Kaikōura canyon and sperm whales
- Hector’s dolphins and fur seals.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 27 June 2018
Venue: Kaikōura Memorial Hall
Time: There will be 2 sessions.
- A public drop-in poster session between 5pm and 6pm, which provides an informal opportunity to view and discuss the finding with researchers.
- Presentations from the researchers between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.
If you want to attend, email teamkorowai@gmail.com