Protected fish nursery wiped out by mud

Protected fish nursery wiped out by mud

By Will Harvie

Source: stuff

5/30/2022

Credit: NWA

A fish nursery established in 1980 off Abel Tasman National Park has been destroyed by sediments coming off the land, a preliminary review of data has found.

The 146-square-kilometre protected area was off Separation Point, between Tasman and Golden Bays, at the top of the South Island.

It harboured colonies of “bryozoans” – small, colourful marine animals that sometimes form structures that are similar to coral.

It was thought juvenile snapper, tarakihi, cod, leatherjackets (creamfish) and other fish hid and fed in the colonies.