Waikato Coastal Database
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Hahei Marine Reserve Fish Monitoring

1. Identification information

Status
Ongoing
Data Collection Date
1997-present
Summary
Fish surveys using baited underwater video (BUV) and underwater visual census (UVC) transects. Purpose: To determine recolonisation and recovery rates of fish species and populations with the establishment of a Marine Reserve.
Content
Density and length of fish species inside and outside of the Marine Reserve from 1997 to 2006.
Study Types
  • Monitoring
Categories
  • Marine Protection
  • Fish

2. Contact information

Commissioning Agencies
  • Department of Conservation
Contact Organisations
  • Department of Conservation (Waikato Conservancy)

3. Spatial information

Geographic Coverage
Within and around the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve.
Grid Coordinates
Marine reserve – 2760722, 6482175, NZMG, 1:20,000, AREA
Locations
  • Name
    Marine reserve
    NZMG Easting
    2760719
    NZMG Northing
    6482178
    Location
    Mercury Bay to Tairua Harbour (including Tairua Ocean Beach)
    East Coast

4. Data acquisition information

Collection Date
1997 - ongoing
Methodology
Area divided into 3 reserve and 3 non-reserve areas. For the underwater visual census (UVC) 3 sites per area were sampled with 3 transects (of 25mx5m) per site, giving n=9 replicates. Fish length and density were recorded. For baited underwater video (BUV) the bait holder was videoed on the sea-bottom for 30 minutes at each site. Frequency of collection: 1997-2002 (at 6-monthly intervals), June 2003, June 2004, May 2006.

5. Data quality information

Known Limitations
Further methodological investigation required to improve the accuracy of UVC surveys. This study started after the Marine Reserve was gazetted (i.e. there was no pre-reserve monitoring). Many common species are subject to large seasonal fluctuations in density which can confound the comparison between reserve and non-reserve. Gaps in collection: May 1999, October 1999. May 2008. Data quality: Not reported Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: Not reported

6. Distribution information

Format
report, photographs, spreadsheets. Digital Format: MS Word, MS Excel
Applications
Understand the effectiveness of the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve and other NZ MR's in the recovery of fish populations of heavily fished species, notably snapper and blue cod. Density and length of fish species targeted by fishers provides an indication of the fishing pressure on these species, and the effectiveness of the Marine Reserve in easing this pressure. Fish population dynamics of other species relative to outside of the MR.
Availability
Freely available, raw data held by consultant? Sensitivity/Confidentiality: See Department of Conservation

7. Status information

Data Status
Ongoing dependant on funding

8. Metadata information

General Notes
Additional comments: Monitoring recommended every 2 years as the densities of snapper and blue cod have been relatively stable. This marine reserve now has the longest time-series of consistently collected fish data in New Zealand. Related information: Hahei benthic monitoring – Shears reports Hahei lobster monitoring – Kelly reports
Related Links
Publications
  • Willis, T.J. 2000: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve fish monitoring programme: 1. Diver surveys. Report to the Department of Conservation. Investigation NRO/02/04.
  • Willis, T.J. 2000: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve fish monitoring programme: 2. Changes in Snapper and Blue Cod density. Report to the Department of Conservation. Investigation NRO/02/04.
  • Willis, T.J. 1997: Survey of fishes at Te Whanganui a Hei Marine reserve, winter 1997. Report to the Department of Conservation, Waikato Conservancy. Auckland UniServices Ltd. University of Auckland, Auckland.
  • Willis, T.J., Anderson, M.J., and Babcock, R.C. 2003: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve Fish Monitoring 2000-2002: Final Report. For the Department of Conservation, Waikato Conservancy. Auckland UniServices Ltd. University of Auckland, Auckland.
  • Taylor, R.B, Anderson, M.J, Usmar, N., and Willis, T.J. 2003: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve fish monitoring 2003: Final report. For the Department of Conservation, Waikato Conservancy. Auckland UniServices Ltd. University of Auckland, Auckland.
  • Taylor, R.B, Anderson, M.J, Usmar, N., and Willis, T.J. 2004: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve fish monitoring 2004: Final report. For the Department of Conservation, Waikato Conservancy. Auckland UniServices Ltd. University of Auckland, Auckland.
  • Taylor, R.B, Anderson, M.J, Usmar, N., and Willis, T.J. 2006: Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve fish monitoring 2006: Final report. For the Department of Conservation, Waikato Conservancy. Auckland UniServices Ltd. University of Auckland, Auckland.
  • Haggitt, T., Mead, S., Hillock, K. and Wills, A. 2010: Te Whanganui-a-Hei Reef Fish Monitoring: Autumn 2010. Prepared for the Department of Conservation Waikato Conservancy, by Coastal & Aquatic Systems Ltd. 43p.
Related Publications
  • Lidgard, W. 1995. Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve – Cathedral Cove. New Zealand Science and Technology Teacher's Fellowship. Contract No. MBS401, Hahei Marine Reserve baseline study. Mercury Bay Area School. Whitianga.
  • Taylor, N., & Buckenham, B., 2003: Social impacts of marine reserves in New Zealand. Science for Conservation series 217, DoC Wellington.
  • Anderson, MJ., 2002: Structures for establishing a database for marine monitoring. Science internal series 58, DoC Wellington.
  • Pugsley, C., & Turnbull, J. (Comp.) 1994: Marine Reserves Monitoring Workshop, 24-25 February 1994. Science and Research Internal Report No.146, DoC Wellington.
Related Datasets

9. Related files

No files have been attached to this dataset

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