Separation Point
Help restore what we have lost
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Over decades our marine environment has suffered immensely from many compounding factors from land and sea activities
In the new reports from Niwa we have lost a very important ecosystem the Separation point. Bryzones from major storm events and sedimentation this is very sad not only for our marine environment but our cultural connection to this well-known area. marine users locally domestically and internationally frequent this area being at the northern end of the able Tasman national park
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Hope for a better Future
We feel all is not lost our group has gained support for restoration the use of artificial reefs in this large area to help restore biogenic habitat our group hopes to work with other marine stakeholder to empower the people and improve the marine environment in two key areas;
One being the Onekaka wharf area were one of our oldest and thriving artificial reefs exist this area will be great for trials and monitoring from school student and scientists.
Other areas would be within the biogenic Separation point protection zones this area has suffered over the year and need our help to keep the Bryzones out of the suspended sediment layer We are hoping that other stakeholders will see the benefits for all and to help restore what we have lost
One Solution: Reef Balls
These two areas are not fished commercially and valued as a fish recruitment zones by the fishing industry, and was originally set aside by the fishing industry. I can only see large scale deployment of artificial reefs in the future in agreed zones can only enhance recruitment of biogenic communities.
Fish are only one of the benefits that will potentially have flow on benefit effects for all marine users.
Not only do we see environmental and scientific benefits there are also benefits to people communities and tourism and economic benefits
Reef balls are only 1 of our ideas but we are not limited to
An average sized reef ball will generate/produce 136 to 181kg/300 to 400lb of marine biomass every year for the next 500 years approximately 30% of that is fish and shrimp and other marine life that humans directly consume.