Fish return to Great Barrier waterway after 30 years

Fish return to Great Barrier waterway after 30 years

0 개 2,883 노영례

9784c8acd66f78c6b5bf5ddaa95985ac_1495625616_7871.jpg
A shortjawed kōkopu, one of five whitebait species found across Auckland. Credit: Auckland Biodiversity

 

9784c8acd66f78c6b5bf5ddaa95985ac_1495625652_2498.jpg
Before: The concrete weir blocked fish passage for 30 years. Photo: June Brookes

 

9784c8acd66f78c6b5bf5ddaa95985ac_1495625683_102.jpg
After: The Awana Stream is now open to fish passage following the removal of the weir. Photo: June Brookes

 

Fish return to stream after 30 years

About 19km of isolated stream habitat on Aotea Great Barrier Island is accessible to native fish for the first time in three decades, thanks to local residents and public agencies.

Now, native fish returning from the ocean will again occupy habitats and boost population numbers along a relatively protected and pristine Great Barrier waterway.

A recent two-day operation saw a 30-year-old flow-gauging weir – a large, concrete structure – removed from the Awana Stream, one of the island’s largest waterways.

In the six weeks since the weir’s removal, fish life has begun to return to Awana Stream, and there's hope that some endangered species may restart building their population on the island.

 


The video above shows how a concrete weir in Titirangi prevents small fish from moving freely along waterways. 

History of the weir

The weir was installed by the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in the late 1980s (NIWA also paid for its removal).

After decommissioning, the weir remained largely forgotten.

That was until residents Bill Carlin and June Brookes attended a Great Barrier Local Board and Department of Conservation (DOC) event in 2015 called Aotea: Ridge to Reef.

At the meeting, Bill and June heard about how structures like the weir can prevent juvenile native fish, which swim in from the ocean, from reaching freshwater habitats.

June says the event alerted her to the potential ecological damage being caused by the weir, and she started talks with DOC, NIWA and Auckland Council on removing it.

“As the landowners, with a lifelong commitment to conservation, we felt we had an obligation to help fix this problem,” June says.

“It was lucky we knew the history of the weir’s construction and were able to assist with providing information to Auckland Council and DoC.”

Inspiring change

Sue Daly, Great Barrier Local Board’s environment spokesperson, says this project may inspire other landowners on Aotea Great Barrier to reinstate fish passage in waterways on their property that may be made impassable by pipes, dams and weirs.

“We didn't know how much of a barrier dams and fords were to migrating freshwater fish – and we didn't know these fish were whitebait!” Ms Daly says. “We really want to make sure every stream everywhere on our island is fish-friendly.”

The section of Awana Stream, where the weir was located, runs through both DOC land and Bill and June’s property.

Matt Bloxham, Auckland Council’s senior freshwater adviser and the project organiser, says fish would still be barred from the stream if it wasn’t for June’s initiative and resolve to see the weir removed.

“Whitebait species, such as īnanga, koāro and banded kōkopu, were found to be restricted to areas just downstream of the weir,” Matt says.

Matthew Bloxham senior biodiversity adviser - freshwater
Pictured is Matthew Bloxham, Senior Regional Adviser for Freshwater, on one of the regularly community events he leads across the region. Credit: Jacqui Geux

“This is in no way surprising for īnanga, which cannot climb.

But we didn’t anticipate that the weir would spell trouble for koāro and banded kōkopu, as both are very capable climbers and will scale 20-metre-high waterfalls as juveniles to reach upstream habitats.'

“However, gauging weirs concentrate flows through a V-notch and it may be that the overwhelming volume and velocity of water barrelling through the notch was enough to knock the fish back as they reached the top of the weir.”

Aotea bands together

Matt says of the project: “The Awana work was a great example of government agencies, private contractors and landowners on the island pulling together to achieve substantial environmental gains."

DOC's Aotea Great Barrier Island Operations Manager Paul McArthur agrees. ”We can definitely do more to help our native species thrive when we work together. I want to thank Bill and June for getting the ball rolling on this project. Removing this weir will help increase the number of īnanga, koāro and banded kōkopu in this catchment, which is a very important habit for these native fish.”

NIWA freshwater fish expert Dr Paul Franklin says the project showed what could be achieved when people came together to improve the environment.

“Removing barriers can be one of the most cost-effective ways we can help our freshwater fish communities. Many of our native fish are threatened and ensuring they have the access they need from the sea to freshwater habitats is crucial to improving their chances of survival.”

Awana stream weir being removed
Island-based company, Aotea Contractors, remove the 30-year-old concrete weir from the stream. Photo: Matthew Bloxham/Auckland Council

When living on an island as remote as Aotea Great Barrier Island, obtaining all the gear necessary for a job like this requires plenty of planning and cannot be achieved without pooling resources.

Local business Aotea Contractors, led by Joel Eves, and the Rural Fire Service brought in the necessary machinery to break up the weir. DOC and the Rural Fire Service supplied and operated the pumps, which lowered water levels to minimise environmental impacts.

“This, combined with the local community’s can-do attitude and high regard for their environment, makes these sorts of projects possible,” Matt says.

June adds: “Matt was great to work with. He provided a depth of knowledge and commitment to the project which kept up the momentum to make it happen. It is great to think we have made a small contribution to helping protect NZ’s endangered native fish by reopening this pristine stretch of freshwater habitat for them.”

Island resident and freshwater ecologist Taryn Wilks is conducting before and after fish surveys along the Awana.

“It’ll be fascinating to see just how quickly fish reoccupy this vast area of upstream habitat,” Matt says. 

 

출처 : Auckland Council News

More than 120,000 first doses for 5-11s; 90% …

댓글 0 | 조회 968 | 2022.01.27
Canterbury has become the third DHB to fully vaccinate more than 90% of eligible Māori.More than four million first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have n… 더보기

Omicron likely to trigger national emergency,…

댓글 0 | 조회 948 | 2022.01.27
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says it’s worried the country’s health system, which is already in critical condition, could be completely … 더보기

More than 100,000 first doses for 5-11s; 90% …

댓글 0 | 조회 1,022 | 2022.01.26
Auckland has become the second DHB to fully vaccinate 90% of Māori within their rohe.South Canterbury has become the ninth DHB area to vaccinate 90% o… 더보기

NZ Compare announces the acquisition of Price…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,060 | 2022.01.26
The Award Winning, Deloitte Fast 500 business Global Compare Group Limited, known locally as NZ Compare (https://www.nzcompare.com/) has today announc… 더보기

Record day for boosters and paediatric doses;…

댓글 0 | 조회 858 | 2022.01.25
Today, we are reporting 56,788 boosters administered yesterday, the highest number in one day so far, bringing the total to 1,053,055.Similarly, yeste… 더보기

Explore Auckland's natural wonders

댓글 0 | 조회 1,122 | 2022.01.24
Explore our region this summer and take your pick of Auckland's stunning tracks, bush, maunga and walkways.Discover our region's natural wonders as yo… 더보기

More than a million booster doses given; 25 c…

댓글 0 | 조회 863 | 2022.01.24
More than 1 million booster doses have now been administered – 57% of those who are due.Boosters lower your chances of COVID-19, including the Omicron… 더보기

More than 40,000 booster doses given yesterda…

댓글 0 | 조회 848 | 2022.01.24
The nine COVID-19 cases reported yesterday in the Nelson/Tasman region have now been confirmed as the Omicron variant, and a further case from the sam… 더보기

Ministry announcing two new cases in Northlan…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,175 | 2022.01.23
Northland DHB has this evening informed the Ministry of two new COVID-19 cases.One of the cases is linked to a known case and was in isolation as a cl… 더보기

More than 58,000 vaccine doses given yesterda…

댓글 0 | 조회 872 | 2022.01.22
We are continuing to encourage as many people as are eligible to get their booster shots and paediatric vaccinations. Yesterday 42,319 boosters were g… 더보기

More than 900,000 boosters given to date; 23 …

댓글 0 | 조회 872 | 2022.01.21
New Zealand’s vaccine rollout remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron.There were37,967 boostersadministered yester… 더보기

More than 12,000 doses administered to 5 to 1…

댓글 0 | 조회 887 | 2022.01.20
Today, we are reporting 12,057 first doses of the paediatric Pfizer vaccine administered yesterday to 5 to 11-year-olds, bringing the total 39,829. We… 더보기

More than 13,000 doses administered to 5 to 1…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,148 | 2022.01.19
Yesterday, 13,028 child (paediatric) vaccine first doses were administered to 5 to 11-year-olds throughout New Zealand. Nearly 30,000 children in this… 더보기

More than 14,000 doses administered to 5 to 1…

댓글 0 | 조회 914 | 2022.01.18
Yesterday, on the first day they became available, 14,367 child (paediatric) vaccine first doses were administered to 5 to 11-year-olds throughout New… 더보기

Vaccination opens for 5–11 year olds; booster…

댓글 0 | 조회 959 | 2022.01.17
Vaccination opens for 5–11 year olds; booster bookings live online; 16 community cases; 30 in hospital; 2 in ICU Child vaccine available from today Th… 더보기

Booster rollout accelerated to protect agains…

댓글 0 | 조회 884 | 2022.01.17
Everyone aged 18 years and older who has received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine can now book their free booster dose using BookMyVaccine.nz or by call… 더보기

More than 22,000 booster doses given yesterda…

댓글 0 | 조회 945 | 2022.01.16
In MIF transmission confirmed as Omicron with clear link to border The positive case reported yesterday in an Auckland MIQ worker has now been linked … 더보기

More than 40,000 booster doses given yesterda…

댓글 0 | 조회 821 | 2022.01.16
The vaccine remains New Zealand’s key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. On Monday, the vaccine will be available for 5 to 1… 더보기

More than 41,000 booster doses; 18 community …

댓글 0 | 조회 1,159 | 2022.01.14
Forty five percent of the population currently eligible have now received their booster shot. We are strongly recommending boosters for anyone over th… 더보기

Online shopping drives increase in business c…

댓글 0 | 조회 872 | 2022.01.13
Equifax NZ Quarterly Business Credit Demand Index: September 2021●Overall business credit enquiries decreased by -6.4% (vs Sept quarter 2020)●Business… 더보기

Capital and Coast DHB 90% fully vaccinated fo…

댓글 0 | 조회 900 | 2022.01.13
Today Capital and Coast will become the first DHB area to reach the 90% fully vaccinated milestone for Māori. When the region’s clinics closed for the… 더보기

40% of eligible population have had boosters;…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,302 | 2022.01.12
Forty percent of the eligible population have now received their booster shot. We are strongly recommending boosters for anyone over the age of 18 who… 더보기

Needle Exchange Programme refresh

댓글 0 | 조회 743 | 2022.01.12
The Ministry of Health is undertaking a refresh of the Needle Exchange Programme, as part of a wider health-based approach to ensure the wellbeing of … 더보기

Nearly 48,000 boosters given yesterday; 14 co…

댓글 0 | 조회 997 | 2022.01.11
The low number of cases reported today is welcome news, particularly with increasing testing numbers. We thank New Zealanders for the care they have t… 더보기

More than half a million boosters administere…

댓글 0 | 조회 904 | 2022.01.10
Vaccination remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated… 더보기

Fire season change for mainland Auckland

댓글 0 | 조회 780 | 2022.01.10
Mainland Auckland is now in a restricted fire season.The change occurred at 8 am Monday 10 January.Region Manager Ron Devlin says hot and dry conditio… 더보기

More than 21,000 boosters administered yester…

댓글 0 | 조회 913 | 2022.01.09
The vaccine remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated… 더보기

Wellington cases linked to Tauranga drum and …

댓글 0 | 조회 818 | 2022.01.08
Two new cases of COVID-19 in Wellington have been confirmed today.The two cases are linked to recent travel to the Bay of Plenty and a number of locat… 더보기

More than 43,000 boosters administered yester…

댓글 0 | 조회 883 | 2022.01.07
The vaccine remains our key defence against all variants of COVID-19, including Omicron. We continue to ask everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated… 더보기

More than 41,000 got boosters yesterday; 38 p…

댓글 0 | 조회 800 | 2022.01.06
We are today reporting 43 cases identified at the border, a jump from 23 cases yesterday. While whole genome sequencing of these cases is expected soo… 더보기

1.2 million eligible for booster shots from t…

댓글 0 | 조회 944 | 2022.01.05
From today, anyone aged 18 and over who had their second vaccination at least four months ago can get their booster dose.People can book an appointmen… 더보기

Increase in booster shots; 31 community cases…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,089 | 2022.01.04
Close to 4,500 booster shots were administered yesterday (4,494), a jump of more than 1,500 on the day before.This increase provides a timely reminder… 더보기

Almost three thousand vaccines administered; …

댓글 0 | 조회 929 | 2022.01.03
More than 8,189,000 vaccines have now been administered around New Zealand, with almost three thousand doses administered yesterday.More than 2,200 bo… 더보기

Nearly 20,000 vaccines administered over two …

댓글 0 | 조회 892 | 2022.01.02
Two DHBs are less than 1000 doses away from reaching their 90% fully vaccinated milestone. As of this morning, Taranaki DHB was 658 doses away from 90… 더보기

Boosters key to protecting New Zealanders fro…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,463 | 2022.01.01
New Zealanders are urged to make getting their booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine a New Year’s resolution as Auckland’s biggest vaccination c… 더보기

90% of Pacific peoples double vaccinated; 49 …

댓글 0 | 조회 1,208 | 2021.12.31
Nationwide, 90% of eligible Pacific peoples have now are now fully vaccinated, with a total of258,713 having had their second dose.Meanwhile, Hawke’s … 더보기

Third DHB hits 95% fully vaccinated; 60 commu…

댓글 0 | 조회 868 | 2021.12.30
Canterbury DHB has become the third DHB area to be 95% fully vaccinated, joining Auckland DHB and Capital and Coast DHB.Meanwhile Waikato DHB has reac… 더보기

First community exposures from border-related…

댓글 0 | 조회 927 | 2021.12.29
Whole genome sequencing has detected a border-related case of Omicron who had briefly been active in the community.The case is a recent international … 더보기

Waikato closing in on 90% fully vaccinated; 4…

댓글 0 | 조회 809 | 2021.12.29
WaikatoDHBisonly505doses away from having 90 percent of its population fully vaccinated againstCOVID-19.Waikato will become the nineth DHB to achieve … 더보기

Waitematā Māori to reach 90% first dose; 18 n…

댓글 0 | 조회 899 | 2021.12.28
WaitematāDHBisonly 125 first doses away from90 percent of its eligible Māori population receiving onedoseof the COVID-19 vaccine.WaitematāDHB will bec… 더보기

Hawke’s Bay poised to hit 90% double-dosed; 3…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,006 | 2021.12.27
Hawke’s Bay is set to become the 12th DHB area to have 90 percent of its eligible population fully vaccinated. The region is only 192 second doses sho… 더보기

80% of Māori now double dosed; 126 community …

댓글 0 | 조회 1,144 | 2021.12.26
Eighty percent of Māori are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This follows 454,492 of eligible Māori now having received their second dose.Both W… 더보기

Make a splash this summer

댓글 0 | 조회 1,061 | 2021.12.25
Take a dip, make a splash and cool off around Auckland this summer at one of our region’s beaches, splashpads and pools.Get inspired and get out there… 더보기

More than 21,000 vaccines given yesterday; 62…

댓글 0 | 조회 924 | 2021.12.24
There were21,338 total vaccine doses administered yesterday, including1,413 first doses and7,135 second doses. To date, 95% of eligible people in New … 더보기

More than 23,000 vaccines given yesterday; 56…

댓글 0 | 조회 1,066 | 2021.12.23
There were23,016 total vaccine doses administered yesterday, including1,578 first doses and7,258 second doses. To date, 95% of eligible people in New … 더보기

South Canterbury to hit 90% fully vaccinated …

댓글 0 | 조회 918 | 2021.12.22
There were21,763 total vaccine doses administered yesterday, including1,727 first doses and7,221 second doses. To date, 94% of eligible people in New … 더보기

Nelson-Marlborough to hit 90% fully vaccinate…

댓글 0 | 조회 855 | 2021.12.21
Nelson-Marlborough DHB is expected to become the tenth DHB to hit the 90% fully vaccinated milestone later today based on uptake among its eligible po… 더보기

Significant investment in cybersecurity to im…

댓글 0 | 조회 766 | 2021.12.20
Up to $75.7 million, from Budget allocations, will be invested over 3 years to increase the resilience of data and digital systems in the face of incr… 더보기

Pop-up music comes to our newest pocket park …

댓글 0 | 조회 851 | 2021.12.20
Dining out in the city centre? Discovering the charm of our legendary eastern laneways?Keep an eye out for a pop-up celebration of some of Tāmaki Maka… 더보기

MidCentral hits 90% fully vaccinated mileston…

댓글 0 | 조회 914 | 2021.12.20
This morning MidCentral DHB became the ninth of our 20 DHBs to achieve the 90% milestone for its eligible population to be fully vaccinated.Meanwhile,… 더보기