Two weeks after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, relocation efforts continue of affected pāua along the Kaikōura coast.
MPI fisheries scientist Dr Julie Hills inspected pāua beds along the coast on Sunday and was pleased to see relocated pāua doing well.
"It will be a while before we know for sure if they have taken to their new environment. Pāua, as a species are hundreds of thousands of years old. They are exceptional because they evolve to fit a changed environment. It doesn't happen overnight though. It can sometimes take many, many years. This area of Kaikōura's coast will need careful treatment and management for some time to come."
Mike Vincent, founder of the pāua rescue group, says a significant amount of pāua have been relocated since the effort began.
"It's been a massive effort and I would like to thank Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, MPI and the Kaikōura Pāua Relocation and Relief effort for their combined support for the continued relocation of our precious taonga.
"This has been a true collaboration between iwi, volunteers, industry and government and I'm so proud to have been part of it."
Note to editors:
Last week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy announced temporary fishery closures around Kaikōura, so this relocation work is being carried out under Special Permit issued under the Fisheries Act. This means relocation can only occur in the area specified and under the conditions of that Special Permit. These conditions include that all work must be directly under the supervision of MPI staff.
