The Bay's boaties couldn't believe it when finally, for the first time in a long time, we had a fine and settled Labour Weekend.

Supposed to signal the start of summer, we'd nearly given up on Labour Weekend; but not this year.
The waters of the Bay of Plenty were fair fizzing with activity, the coastguard clocking in hundreds of calls as vessels of all shapes and sizes headed out to enjoy the flat seas and fair weather.
Tauranga Harbour was buzzing with action, the only setback being the smothering sea lettuce which has been particularly bad this year. It's playing havoc with fishing, netting and even getting the anchor or mooring line up can be a back breaking exercise with the sea lettuce piling up in huge clumps on anything that it can wrap around.

Even the stingrays seem to have had enough. All winter we've noticed them conspicuous by their absence, particularly when kayaking. Not that we've missed getting startled witless by these monsters suddenly taking off within inches of our tender backsides, separated only by a few millimetres of Kevlar. But I can't help thinking the sea lettuce abundance has sent them packing. I've no scientific evidence of this theory, just purely an observation. Or maybe the orca have been dining hard-out through the winter?

Around Mayor Island the fishos reported steady catches. A few kingies on the rampage and the odd albacore setting the reels screaming.
It was very surprising to hear that a couple of boat owners still didn't know there's a Marine Reserve around the northern quarter. You'd think that with all the information out there, plus the markings on chartplotters and signage onshore, that every boatie would be very clear about this.
This is not a new idea; the reserve has been in place since 1993. I'd have thought that 16 years would have been long enough to get the hang of it!

Never mind, there's plenty of eagle eyes out there to keep it well policed, informally.

On the island, it was good see some clean up work finally happening in SE Bay, which has looked sadly run down in recent years. DOC has teamed up with the landowners and putting in some effort, including provision of a caretaker the summer to organise campers, collect landing fees and keep the rodents off the island.
The accommodation is a shadow of its former self. Hopefully the new venture, with DOC resources, might help re-establish the island as the jewel in the crown that it should, and used to be.

A $5 landing fee applies and landing is permitted only at Opo (South-East) Bay. Ten tent sites and eight cabins are available for visitors to use by prior arrangement. Bookings can be made by contacting DOC: ph: 07 578 7677, email: [email protected]