The seashore around the Marine Station of Leigh was the first of New Zealands Marine Protected Areas (or MPAs), being established in 1977. It attracts up to 200 000 visitors each year and is a complete „no take zone“. Biomass, especially of highly valued fishes and rock lobsters has since increased manyfold. One only needs to stand along the edges of the lava rocks to witness snappers and other fish swim in the amazingly clear water below. Cheers for Melli for picking this destination for our trip, and we will be back (with a mask and snorchel) once it gets warmer..
A small colony of pied shags or Karuhiruhi (Phalacrocorax varius) breed at the Leigh reserve.
Marine biologists at work leisure, happy as kids in a candy shop.
Lepsiella scobina
Cushion star (Patiriella regularis)
and blue maomao (Scorpis violaceus).