Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve is a 5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)[1] protected area in the North Island of New Zealand. Te Hāwere-a-Maki / Goat Island lies within the reserve and Leigh is the closest town. Auckland University operates Leigh Marine Laboratory at the reserve. It was created in 1975 as the first marine reserve in New Zealand.

Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve
IUCN category Ia (strict nature reserve)
LocationNorth Island, New Zealand
Nearest cityLeigh
Coordinates36.2652449°S 174.7978878°E / -36.2652449; 174.7978878
Area547 ha (1,350 acres)
Established1975
www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/marine-reserves-a-z/cape-rodney-okakari-point-goat-island/

With more than 200,000 visitors per year, it is a popular spot for snorkellers and scuba-divers, due to the abundance and diversity of fish now living within the reserve, after over 35 years of protection.[2] Species that can be found in the reserve include Australasian snapper and New Zealand sea urchin (kina).[3]

See also

References

  1. "Data Table - Protected Areas - LINZ Data Service (recorded area 547 ha)". Land Information New Zealand. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  2. Enderby, Jenny & Tony (2006). A guide to New Zealand's marine reserves. NZ: New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-86966-114-4.
  3. Coastal & Aquatic Systems Limited (Autumn 2011). "Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve and Tawharanui Marine Park Reef Fish Monitoring: UVC Survey" (PDF). New Zealand Department of Conservation.
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