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Hauraki Gulf Forum

Community shellfish monitoring

Shellfish monitoring provides an environmental health indicator for the beaches of the Hauraki Gulf. It also aims to increase environmental awareness and help the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) assess the effectiveness of the shellfish harvesting limits.

Annual surveys are carried out to count and measure the dominant kinds of shellfish, such as cockles and pipis, living in sheltered beaches, harbours and estuaries.

The ARC, Environment Waikato , Manukau City Council, and the Department of Conservation (DoC) support community groups and schools carry out annual shellfish monitoring.
This work is co-ordinated through a steering group that reports to the Hauraki Gulf Forum which also includes representatives of the Ministry of Fisheries and tangata whenua.


Groups supported by the programme are provided with practical assistance and equipment to undertake annual shellfish surveys. Survey findings are entered into a database, reported to the community, and sent to the Ministry of Fisheries to inform the Hauraki Gulf State of the Environment Report.

Community Shellfish Monitoring - Current Survey Sites, June 2008

Location Community organisation Supporting organisation Year started surveying 
Whangateau Harbour, - Lews Bay, Rodney Whangateau Harbour Care ARC 2003
Whangateau Harbour, - Causeway, Rodney Whangateau Harbour Care ARC2006
Ngaio Bay, Mahurangi Harbour, Rodney District Mahurangi College ARC through the Mahurangi Action Plan 2008
Umupuia Beach, Manukau City Maraetai Beach School, Umupuia Marae

Previously also supported by: Te Puru Sea Scouts, Pohutukawa Coast Community Association		ARC and Manukau City Council 2006
Duders Beach (Regional Park)Ecoquest, Conservation Volunteers NZ, Park volunteersARC2008
Beachlands, Manukau CityBeachlands SchoolARC and Manukau City Council  2008
Kawakawa Bay - West, Manukau City Clevedon School ARC and Manukau City Council 2006
Kawakawa Bay - East, Manukau CityEdmund Hillary School, Papakura Marae

Previously also supported by: Weka Watch and corporate volunteers 		ARC and Manukau City Council 2006
Cockle Bay, Manukau City Chinese Conservation Education TrustDoC and Manukau City Council 2005
Whangapoua Harbour, Great Barrier  Okiwa School, Kaitoki School, Mulberry Grove School DoC2007
Whitianga Harbour, CoromandelMercury Bay SchoolEnvironment Waikato2008
Okahu Bay, AucklandNgati WhatuaARC2007 

Want to know more?

Want to get involved?

A group of school children conducting a shellfish survey


To express interest in co-ordinating a community shellfish survey contact your Regional Council by emailing the ARC at environment@arc.govt.nz or contacting Environment Waikato

 

 

 

Hauraki Gulf Shellfish depletion report

In 2003 the Hauraki Gulf Forum commissioned a report entitled:

"A Review of Issues Related to Depletion of Populations of Selected Infaunal Bivalve Species in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park."

Why was this report commissioned?

The report was commissioned because of concerns about the perceived depletion of shellfish populations in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park (HGMP). The consultants were asked to:

  • provide a reference bibliography relevant to factors potentially affecting bivalve populations in the HGMP
  • provide a synthesis of current and expected near-future knowledge of factors potentially affecting bivalve populations in the HGMP
  • identify gaps in our understanding of factors potentially affecting bivalve populations in the HGMP
  • identify key research priorities where efforts are likely to be most cost-effective at identifying what is affecting bivalve populations in the HGMP.

Species of focus

The shellfish species of specific interest in this review include the cockle (Austrovenus stutchburyi), pipi (Paphies australis), tuatua (Paphies subtriangulata), and wedge shell (Macomona liliana).

The report

Hauraki Gulf Forum Shellfish Report Pgs 1 - 87 (828.9 KB PDF)

Hauraki Gulf Forum Shellfish Report Pgs 88 - 171 (587.3 KB PDF)

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