Harbour health survey ahead

Researchers are teaming up with iwi to undertake an ecological survey of Tauranga Harbour.

The aim of the survey is to better understand and identify areas of concern in the ecosystem.

The survey has been recommended as part of a report prepared by the Manaaki Taha Moana research consortium (MTM).

While the report identified overall stable nutrient levels in the harbour and water quality suitable for recreation, it noted concerns with a 34 per cent decline in sea grass since the middle of last century and the expansion of mangroves.

It also stated some species of fish and shellfish have declined while nutrient levels in some rivers entering the harbour are unusually elevated.

Massey University Professor Murray Patterson says the research consortium is also developing a coastal cultural health index with Maori.

He says this will enable the assessment of the harbour’s health through criteria such as measuring the abundance of shellfish in the water catchment.

Murray says an important aspect of Manaaki Taha Moana is that it incorporates local Maori knowledge as well as ‘scientific data’.

Marine ecologist Dr Joanne Ellis from the Cawthron Institute in Nelson is leading the survey, with involvement of the MTM team, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, University of Waikato and local volunteers.

Samples from up to 75 locations throughout the harbour will be collected, including intertidal sandflats, shellfish beds and seagrass areas.

The samples will then be sorted and processed for later detailed analysis.

Members of MTM, which has received funding for the project from the Ministry of Science and Innovation till 2015, will then use the broad scale survey data to develop models that can be used to monitor improvements or declines in the health of the harbour over time.