Reserve monitoring at Tuhua

Boaties are being warned to expect increased traffic and activity around Tuhua/Mayor Island next week during biological monitoring of the Marine Reserve.

The Department of Conservation and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic monitoring will coincide with the Tauranga Game Fishing Club's One Base fishing tournament.

A polytechnic student deploys a transect line to help last month's fish count at Mayor Island last month.

Community Relations ranger Pete Huggins says this means waters around the island are likely to be busy and boaties need to be extra careful.

He says numerous teams of divers will be in the water around Tuhua during the two weeks beginning March 19th.

They will be supported by boats from DOC and the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic which do regular pick-ups and drop-offs at dive locations all around the island.
Pete says boaties and fishermen visiting these waters are asked to take care and to be extra vigilant for dive flags and teams of divers in the water.

DOC has been undertaking biological monitoring in conjunction with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Marine Studies Department every year for several years.

The latest results, collected in March 2011, show clear trends indicating an increase in fish numbers and sizes inside the reserve.

These results were presented publicly last week as part of Seaweek celebrations.

The video below shows underwater footage captured during last year's monitoring work.

For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz/tuhua

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