Hauraki Gulf Rocky Reef Surveys

Data set contains information from benthic surveys of 38 rocky reef sites throughout the Hauraki Gulf. Reef surveys were conducted to quantify aspects of epifaunal invertebrate assemblages, cryptic benthic fishes, and mobile invertebrate consumers. Surveys were conducted along 50 m transects, with 0.25m^2 quadrats approximately every 5 metres for epifuanal invertebrates, band transects for fish (in 10 continuous 5 m^2 blocks) and band transects for mobile invertebrate consumers (in 20 continuous 5 m^2 blocks). Small gastropods and hermit crabs (<30 mm maximum dimension) were also quantiatively sampled in 0.25 m^2 quadrats, approximately every 5 metres along the transect. Physical environmental data from GIS layers are also available for sampling sites. Purpose: Development of Marine Environmental Classification for the Hauraki Gulf

Data include site-specific information on species incidence for sessile invertebrate (identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible), abundance of cryptic benthic fishes (e.g. triple fins, blennies) and mobile invertebrate consumers (e.g. Evechinus, Cookia, et cetera).

38 sites were surveyed from the Hen & Chickens, Mokohinau Islands, Great Barrier Island, Little Barrier Island, Leigh Coast, Noises, Waiheke Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Cuvier Island, and the Mercury Islands.

Kauri Point 6489866 2707050 Thumb Point 6493892 2704382 D'Urville Rock 6495425 2695305 Ahaaha Rock 6499139 2691391 David Rock 6498519 2688809 Orarapa/Motohurupapa 6498886 2684869 Billy Goat Point 6495243 2681481 Splash Rock 6491646 2700887 Hakaimango Point 6490862 2690330 Poley Bay ( the Pinnacles) 6522498 2726952 Port Charles Light 6518161 2733886 Te Anaputa Point 6514448 2737551 Fantail Bay Reef 6516762 2718716 Happy Jack Island Motokahaua 6501905 2722199 Modeo Rock Tryphena Bay Pinnacles 6539514 2731206 Dolphin Bay Point 6536974 2734040 Rosalie Bay 6537737 2739063 Bookcase (Great Mercury Island) 6508078 2756352 Flat Island (Mercury Islands) 6494594 2767854 Junction Island (GBI) 6549164 2718538 Ahuriri Point 6564451 2721177 Needles Point (N.Side) 6572145 2727468 Simpson's Rock (S. Mokohinaus) 6574789 2701637 Maori Rocks (E. Mokohinaus) 6583879 2705920 Stack H 6585200 2699557 Coppermine Point (E. Chickens) 6588714 2671674 Mauihaha Island (SE edge) 6587693 2664288 "The Pinnacles (S. Edge, Hen)" 6579461 2667026 Ngatamahine Point (NE Little Barrier) 6556786 2700166 Horn Rock 6547136 2707411 Donna's Bay (GBI) 6565311 2728379 Flat Top Island (Arid Island) 6560199 2737185 Cuvier Island 6525318 2757782 Shag Rock (E. Tiritiri Matangi) 6509832 2680495 Takatu (Elephant) Point 6535083 2678354 The Watchmand (Leigh Harbour) 6543896 2673971 Goat Island Marine Reserve (Outer Coast) 6546973 2672309 Motuora Island (NE Edge) 6520304 2671996

Data collected in May 2002 and January – February 2003

Data for fishes and mobile invertebrates were collected in situ. Epifaunal invertebrate samples were taken as photographic quadrats, which were post-processed to quantify species incidence. Voucher specimens were taken to verify taxonomy. Frequency of collection: data collected once

Taxonomy on some epifaunal invertebrates and small gastropods/hermit crabs needs revision. Gaps in collection: Not reported Data quality: Data were revised by checking for "outliers" (e.g. data entry errors) and efforts to make consistent taxonomy were made throughout. Species names were checked for spelling/consistency. Attribute accuracy: Measurement accuracy not measured in this study, but used standard techniques for benthic surveys, of which, attribute accuracy can be estimated. Completeness: Omissions from data set include percent cover of epifaunal invertebrates, benthic algae and substrate characteristics, but these can be obtained by revisiting original photoquadrat images.

report, photo quadrats, spreadsheets Digital Format: MS Excel. Site positions and buffers available as ArcView (ESRI) shape files.

Data will be used to make a statistical validation of physical environmental variables and form the basis of a data report within DoC, for 30 June 2003.

Data are to remain as an unpublished Department of Conservation report until the information in published in the primary literature, after which data access and use will follow standard Department of Conservation Science & Research guidelines. Sensitivity/Confidentiality: Data are not considered sensitive or confidencial that would restrict potential user access.

Surveys are not intended to be repeated, although database may be supplemented by information gathered at additional sites for ground-truthing model predictions.

Information on the physical environmental layers are part of the MfE-led project on developing a regional-scale Marine Environmental Classification. Further information on access to this information should be directed towards MfE. Additional comments: Data report will contain a general site description, including gross habiitat characteristics.