Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve
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| Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Milford Sound, with the marine reserve on the northern (right) side | |
  | |
| Location | Fiordland, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 44°38′53″S 167°54′20″E / 44.64806°S 167.90556°E |
| Area | 690 hectares (1,700 acres) |
| Established | 1993 |
| Governing body | Department of Conservation |
Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve is a marine reserve covering an area of 690 hectares (1,700 acres) in the Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, in Fiordland on New Zealand's South Island. It was established in 1993 and is administered by the Department of Conservation.[1][2]
The marine reserve spans 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) and 690 hectares (1,700 acres) of the northern half of Milford Sound, stretching from the Milford Sound Village to Dale Point where the sound meets the Tasman Sea.[1] Fishing restrictions also apply to the other half of the sound.[3]
Most of the sound is a mostly deep muddy fiord basin, with deep reefs and some shallow rock walls along the shore. Delicate deep water invertebrates encrusting tubeworms, sea sponges, soft corals, colonial sea squirts, black coral and anemones are fixed to a very steep rock-wall on the inner northern side of the sound.[1]
Closer to the sea, schools of butterfly perch, rock lobster and reef fish live alongside octopus, stingrays, seals and the odd bottlenose dolphin.[1]
In the fiords, heavy rainfall runs off from the surrounding mountains creates a permanent freshwater layer to about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 10 metres (33 ft) below the surface. A layer of calm, clear and warm seawater provides a habitat for a range of sponges, corals and fish to about 40 metres (130 ft) below the surface. Further down, tannins from vegetation run-off make the sea too dark to support most marine life.[4]
The fiords are also a habitat for black corals and brittle stars that live in their branches.[5] There are also brachiopods, aihe (bottlenose dolphins), kekono (New Zealand fur seals), tawaki (Fiordland crested penguins) and kororā (little blue penguins).[4]
History
The reserve was established in 1993,[2] receiving legal recognition on 25 October of that year.[6]
The Māori name of the reserve, Piopiotahi, translates to "one native thrush". The now extinct piopio was a ground-feeding bird wiped out by pests like rats and stoats.[1]
The Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiordland Marine Guardians and other agencies are involved in protecting the marine reserve and stopping the spread of invasive seaweed.[4]
Research and commerce
Educational and scientific activities are encouraged, but must not disturb or endanger plants, animals or natural features. Scientific research requires a permit from the Department of Conservation.[4]
