Whangarei hopes high for seagrass comeback

Groundbreaking marine work is to be done in Northland after new research indicating an environmentally beneficial undersea grass once flourishing in 1400ha of Whangarei Harbour might now be capable of making a comeback.

Thriving undersea meadows of seagrass were present in the harbour about 60 years ago, especially around Takahiwai, One Tree Pt, Snake Bank and Parua Bay, before the grass fell victim to sediment pollution.

Only scarce, small pockets remain as sedimentation starved the grass of sunlight it needs to grow.

But a recent joint study by the Northland Regional Council and Niwa (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) suggests harbour water quality has improved to a point where it could again support seagrass.

The grass offers a habitat and nursery for juvenile fish, a home for marine invertebrates and foraging areas for seabirds.

The study suggests harbour water clarity has improved in recent years under tougher environmental rules curtailing sediment and other discharges.