Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve

Marine reserve in New Zealand territorial waters

Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve

The marine reserve includes areas between Ulva Island in the foreground and Native Island in the background

Location| Southland, New Zealand
Coordinates| 46°54′58″S 168°01′03″E﻿ / ﻿46.9162378°S 168.017473°E﻿ / -46.9162378; 168.017473
Area| 1,075 hectares (2,660 acres)
Established| 2004
Governing body| Department of Conservation

Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 1,075 hectares (2,660 acres) south-west and north-east of Ulva Island, in the Paterson Inlet of New Zealand's Stewart Island. It was established in 2004 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.[1][2]

## Geography

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The reserve covers about 15% of Paterson Inlet (Whaka ā Te Wera),[3] a submerged ancient river valley.[1] The rivers flowing into it drain from pristine undeveloped land with little sediment and nutrient run-off, and warm subtropical and cool Antarctic waters mix in the currents of Stewart Island. The combination of factors provides a habitat for a range of plants and animals including at least 56 species of marine fish.[1]

The inlet is one of the largest sheltered harbours in southern New Zealand.[4]

## History

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The marine reserve was established in 2004,[5] receiving legal recognition on 13 December of that year.[6]

The rest of Paterson Inlet was designated Te Whaka a Te Wera Mätaitai Reserve on 31 December 2004 to promote sustainable management of the inlet's fisheries resources and provide for customary food gathering by Maori.[7] It is closed off to non-commercial fishing.[8]

A fisher was fined for taking two blue cod from the reserve in December 2012.[9]

In 2019 the ecosystem of the marine reserve was in good health.[10]

## Flora and fauna

[edit]

Brachiopod (lamp shells), an ancient filter-feeding shellfish that live on both rock and sediment, thrive in the inlet at depths of less than 20 metres.[1] These shellfish were abundant in prehistoric oceans 300 to 550 million years ago, but are now relatively rare. The inlet is one of the most accessible viewing spots for the shellfish in the world.[4]

Kina, sea cucumbers and starfish also thrive in the inlet waters.[11] Divers also encounter carpet shark, Banded Wrasse, Stewart Island blue cod and lion's mane jellyfish.[12]

The inlet also has the widest variety of seaweed in New Zealand, including 56 brown, 31 green and 174 red species. The seaweed forests provide a habitat for a diverse range of fish, invertebrates and marine mammals. Meadows of small red seaweed grow on the sand, helping to stabilise the sediment while providing an important shelter for scallops and surface for spat and larvae.[1][4] There is also a forest of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera).[13]

Fur seals, sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins often visit the inlet.[4]

## Recreation

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The marine reserve is used for snorkelling, boating and kayaking, with clear waters teeming with fish, penguins and a variety of marine flora.[1] There are several boat launching ramps at Oban.[4]

According to the Department of Conservation, snorkelling is best at a depth of 5 to 12 metres, off the north end of Sydney Cove beach on Ulva Island. A wetsuit, flashlight and dive knife is recommended due to the kelp forests and cold sea temperatures.[1] The southern side of the island is best for kayaking and canoeing.[14]

Catch bags, fishing spears and fishing are banned in the reserve. Boats must take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.[1]

The Ulva Island beaches are a 10-minute boat or water taxi ride from Golden Bay, and via well-formed gravel tracks on the island: Sydney Cove is a five-minute walk from the Ulva Island Wharf; Boulder Beach is a 30-minute walk across the island.[4]

## See also

[edit]

* Marine reserves of New Zealand

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve". doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
2. ^ Hutching, Gerard. "Marine protected areas". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
3. ^ "Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve". southlandnz.com. Tourism Southland.
4. ^ a b c d e f "Ulva Island - Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve Brochure" (PDF). doc.govt.nz. Department of Conservation.
5. ^ "Marine reserve created off Stewart Island". The New Zealand Herald. 4 June 2004. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
6. ^ "Marine Reserve (Ulva Island—Te Wharawhara) Order 2004". legislation.govt.nz. New Zealand Government.
7. ^ "New Stewart Island fisheries reserve becomes a reality". New Zealand Government. Beehive. 31 December 2004.
8. ^ Walrond, Carl. "Stewart Island/Rakiura". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
9. ^ "Fisherman in marine reserve fined". Fairfax New Zealand. Southland Times. 4 December 2012.
10. ^ Warren, Rhiannon (2019). Turning tides in New Zealand intertidal research: a baseline study of Ulva Island intertidal zones (PDF). Southern Institute of Technology.
11. ^ "Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve". newzealand.com. Tourism New Zealand.
12. ^ Kany, Jessica (March 2020). ""front page"" (PDF). Stewart Island News.
13. ^ "Ecosystem explorations – Environment Southland". www.es.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
14. ^ "Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve". aa.co.nz. Automobile Association of New Zealand.

## External links

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* Ulva Island Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve Department of Conservation
* Map and GPS Boundary Points

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Protected areas of New Zealand

Conservation parks|

* Ahuriri
* Aorangi
* Aotea
* Catlins
* Coromandel
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* Eyre Mountains/Taka Ra Haka
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Ecological islands|

* Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
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* Orokonui Ecosanctuary
* Tawharanui Open Sanctuary
* Zealandia

Government purpose reserves|

* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Pukaha / Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre

Historic reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Maungauika / North Head
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Stony Batter
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Marine reserves|

* Akaroa
* Auckland Islands
* Cape Rodney-Okakari Point
* Hautai
* Hawea (Clio Rocks)
* Hikurangi
* Horoirangi
* Kahukura (Gold Arm)
* Kahurangi
* Kapiti
* Kermadec Islands
* Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm)
* Long Bay-Okura
* Long Island-Kokomohua
* Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm)
* Motu Manawa-Pollen Island
* Moutere Hauriri / Bounty Islands
* Moutere Ihupuku / Campbell Island
* Moutere Mahue / Antipodes Island
* Parininihi
* Piopiotahi (Milford Sound)
* Pohatu / Flea Bay
* Poor Knights Islands
* Punakaiki
* Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island)
* Tapuae
* Taputeranga
* Taumoana (Five Finger Peninsula)
* Tauparikākā
* Tāwharanui
* Te Angiangi
* Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut)
* Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound)
* Te Matuku
* Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks)
* Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound)
* Te Tapuwae o Rongokako
* Tonga Island
* Tuhua (Mayor Island)
* Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara
* Waiau Glacier Coast
* Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu)
* Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove)
* Whangarei Harbour

National parks|

| Current|

* Abel Tasman
* Aoraki / Mount Cook
* Arthur's Pass
* Egmont
* Fiordland
* Kahurangi
* Mount Aspiring
* Nelson Lakes
* Paparoa
* Rakiura
* Tongariro
* Westland Tai Poutini
* Whanganui

|

Former|

* Te Urewera

National reserves|

* Hāpūpū / J M Barker
* Lewis Pass
* Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site
* Subantarctic Islands
* Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nick's Head

Recreation reserves|

* Bastion Point
* Otago Central Rail Trail
* Truby King Recreation Reserve

Regional parks|

* Akatarawa
* Ambury
* Ashley Rakahuri
* Ātiu Creek
* Auckland Botanic Gardens
* Āwhitu
* Battle Hill Farm
* Belmont
* Duder
* East Harbour
* Ferrymead
* Glenfern Sanctuary
* Hunua Ranges
* Kaitoke
* Lake Tekapo
* Long Bay
* Mahurangi
* Motukorea Browns Island
* Muriwai
* Mutukaroa / Hamlins Hill
* Ōmana
* Onekawa Te Mawhai
* Orere Point
* Pākiri
* Pakuratahi
* Papamoa Hills
* Queen Elizabeth
* Scandrett
* Shakespear
* Tāpapakanga
* Tāwharanui
* Tawhitokino
* Te Ārai
* Te Muri
* Te Rau Pūriri
* Waharau
* Waimakariri River
* Wainuiomata Regional Park
* Waitākere Ranges
* Waitawa
* Wenderholm
* Whakanewha
* Whakatīwai

Scenic reserves|

* Alice Eaves Reserve
* Bruce Park
* Goldie Bush
* Peel Forest Park
* Waro Limestone

Wetlands|

* Awarua Wetland
* Farewell Spit
* Firth of Thames
* Kopuatai Peat Dome
* Manawatū Estuary
* Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve
* Wairarapa Moana
* Whangamarino

Other areas|

* Fensham Reserve
* Hutt Water Collection Area
* Northern Pegasus Bay
* Wainuiomata Water Collection Area
* Whitireia

Other|

* Amenity area
* Ecological area
* Sanctuary area
* Wilderness area
* Wildlife management area

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Southland District, New Zealand

Seat: Invercargill City

Populated places|

| Mararoa Waimea Ward|

| Five Rivers Area|

* Athol
* Eyre Creek
* Garston
* Lowther
* Lumsden
* Mossburn
* Parawa

|

Te Anau Area|

* Manapouri
* Mararoa
* Milford Sound
* Te Anau

Waikaia Area|

* Balfour
* Riversdale
* Waikaia

Waiau Aparima Ward|

| Riverton Area|

* Colac Bay / Ōraka
* Gummies Bush
* Orepuki
* Pahia
* Riverton / Aparima
* Thornbury
* Waipango

|

Tuatapere Area|

* Blackmount
* Clifden
* Te Waewae
* Tuatapere

Wallace Area|

* Drummond
* Fairfax
* Heddon Bush
* Isla Bank
* Nightcaps
* Ohai
* Otautau
* Wairio
* Wreys Bush

Waihopai Toetoes Ward|

| Toetoes Area|

* Curio Bay
* Fortification
* Fortrose
* Glenham
* Pine Bush
* Pukewao
* Slope Point
* Titiroa
* Te Peka
* Tokanui
* Waipapa Point
* Waikawa
* Waimahaka
* Wyndham

|

Waihopai Area|

* Ashers
* Dacre
* Gorge Road
* Grove Bush
* Kapuka
* Kapuka South
* Longbush
* Mabel Bush
* Makarewa
* Mokotua
* Oteramika
* Rakahouka
* Roslyn Bush
* Timpanys
* Woodlands

Oreti Ward|

| Te Tipua Area|

* Edendale
* Glencoe
* Mataura Island
* Menzies Ferry
* Seaward Downs
* Te Tipua
* Tuturau
* Waitane

|

Wallacetown Area|

* Lochiel
* Waianiwa
* Wallacetown
* Waimatuku

Winton Area|

* Browns
* Dipton
* Hedgehope
* Limehills
* Springhills
* Winton

Stewart Island / Rakiura|

* Oban
* Port Pegasus

Geographic features|

* Mavora Lakes
* Mokoreta River
* Mount Richardson
* Niagara Falls
* Porpoise Bay
* Waipapa Point

Facilities and attractions|

* Eyre Mountains / Taka Ra Haka Conservation Park
* Hawea (Clio Rocks) Marine Reserve
* Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve
* Kutu Parera (Gaer Arm) Marine Reserve
* Lake2Lake Trail
* Mavora Lakes Conservation Park
* Moana Uta (Wet Jacket Arm) Marine Reserve
* Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve
* SS Tararua
* Taipari Roa (Elizabeth Island) Marine Reserve
* Taumoana (Five Fingers Peninsula) Marine Reserve
* Te Awaatu Channel (The Gut) Marine Reserve
* Te Hapua (Sutherland Sound) Marine Reserve
* Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve
* Ulva Island-Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve
* Waipapa Point Lighthouse

Government|

* District Council
* Mayor
* Regional Council

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