Waikato Coastal Database
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Te Whanganui a Hei marine reserve - crayfish surveys

1. Identification information

Status
Ongoing
Data Collection Date
1996-present
Summary
Annual, and then bi-annual monitoring of crayfish numbers and size inside and outside the Te Whanganui a Hei marine reserve. Purpose: To monitor the effectiveness of the marine reserve, using lobster populations as an indicator. Detect and monitor the changes that occur in Jasus edwardsii populations within the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve and on the surrounding coast to assess the effectiveness of the marine reserve as a conservation tool. Determine the current population status of J. edwardsii. Monitor changes and trends in the population characteristics of J. edwardsii through time. Be compatible with regional, national or international marine protected area monitoring schemes.
Content
Lobster numbers and size is monitored inside and outside the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. Reef sites <10 m deep and 10-20 m deep are monitored. Monitoring undertaken in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009.
Study Types
  • Monitoring
Categories
  • Marine Protection
  • Benthic Communities (including shellfish)

2. Contact information

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

3. Spatial information

Geographic Coverage
In and around the Hahei marine reserve.
Grid Coordinates
Centre of marine reserve - NZMG E2760303 N6481804, 1:20,000, Area
Locations
  • Name
    Centre of marine reserve
    NZMG Easting
    2760300
    NZMG Northing
    6481807
    Location
    Mercury Bay to Tairua Harbour (including Tairua Ocean Beach)
    East Coast

4. Data acquisition information

Collection Date
1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009.
Methodology
From 1996 to 2004 surveys are undertaken 5 reserve sites and 4 non-reserve sites at depths of <10m and 10-20m. 5 transects are surveyed within each site (50x10m). Abundance counts – lobsters/500m2. Carapace length (mm) is measured and recorded in 10mm size classes. From 2006, survey method is changed slightly to bring it in line with other monitoring programmes occuring within the marine reserve: A total of 20 sites surveyed (10 inside, and 10 outside the marine reserve). 3 transects are surveyed within each site (50x10m). Abundance and carapace length measured as per previous surveys. Frequency of collection: Once per year of survey, in Autumn.

5. Data quality information

Known Limitations
Not reported Gaps in collection: Not surveyed in 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008. Monitoring will only be every 2 years in future, funding dependent. Data quality: Not reported Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: 1998 survey was not undertaken.

6. Distribution information

Format
reports 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 lobster populations.
Availability
Freely available. Raw data at Department of Conservation (Waikato Conservancy). Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

7. Status information

Data Status
Ongoing depending on funding

8. Metadata information

General Notes
Related Links
Publications
  • Kelly S. (1997) 1997 Lobster Survey of the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve. Unpublished report to Department of Conservation. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon.
  • Kelly S., Haggitt T. (2003) 2003 Lobster Survey of the Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui A Hei) Marine Reserve. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon, 27 Pp.
  • Kelly S. (1999) 1999 Lobster Survey of the Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui A Hei) Marine Reserve. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon. 16 Pp.
  • Kelly S. (1996) 1996 Lobster Survey of the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve. Unpublished report to Department of Conservation. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon.
  • Kelly S. (2000) 2000 Lobster Survey of the Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui A Hei) Marine Reserve. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon, 16 Pp.
  • Kelly S. (2001) 2001 Lobster Survey of the Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui A Hei) Marine Reserve. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Clevedon, 24 Pp.
  • Haggitt T., Kelly S. (2004) 2004 Lobster Survey of Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui A Hei) marine reserve. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Auckland, 38 pp.
  • Haggitt T., Mead S. (2006) Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve Benthic and Lobster Monitoring Programme: May - June 2006 Survey. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Leigh, 72 pp.
  • Haggitt T., Mead S. (2007) Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve Benthic and Lobster Monitoring Programme: May - June 2007 Survey. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Leigh, 47 pp.
  • Haggitt T., Mead S. (2009) Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve Benthic and Lobster Monitoring Programme: May - June 2009 Survey. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd., Leigh, 83 pp.
Related Publications
  • Kelly, S., Scott, C., Mac Diarmid, A.B. & Babcock, R.C. 2000: Spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii, recovery in New Zealand marine reserves. Biological Conservation 92:359-369.
  • Anderson, MJ., 2002: Structures for establishing a database for marine monitoring. Science internal series 58, DoC Wellington.
  • Kelly, S. 2002: Lobster tagging in Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve: 2001 trial and recommendations. Unpublished report for the Department of Conservation. Coastal and Aquatic Systems Ltd.
  • 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.
  • Pugsley, C., & Turnbull, J. (Comp.) 1994: Marine Reserves Monitoring Workshop, 24-25 February 1994. Science and Research Internal Report No.146, DoC Wellington.
  • Rowley, R.J. 1992: An assessment of the impacts of marine reserves on fisheries. A report and review of the literature for the Department of Conservation. Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, Dunedin.
  • Taylor, N., & Buckenham, B., 2003: Social impacts of marine reserves in New Zealand. Science for Conservation series 217, DoC Wellington.
Related Datasets

9. Related files

No files have been attached to this dataset

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