On Saturday, representatives from the Revive Our Gulf team braved the inclement weather forecast, caught the early ferry, and joined Forest and Bird to launch a new campaign for the Hauraki Gulf, at Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island.
Called Arohatia Tīkapa Moana / Love the Gulf, the campaign calls for:
- 30% marine protection
- a plan of action to reduce sedimentation entering the marine environment
- an end to bottom trawling.
The campaign launch was a celebration of the Hauraki Gulf and a showcase of the range of efforts underway to restore its mauri.
The vibe was buoyant and joyful, and our team enjoyed talking about the benefits of mussel reefs and the challenges we face to restore them.
Dr Jen Hillman was able to demonstrate the ROV – the remotely operated vehicle, or underwater robot that the team now uses to assist with monitoring. Operated with a PlayStation remote, the ROV is a draw card, particularly with tamariki. As are the live mussel demonstrations which visually highlight the filtration impact that kūtai / green-lipped mussels deliver.
The day was also an opportunity to hear about people’s personal connections to the Hauraki Gulf, and we met a range of people from across the globe who call Aotearoa home and feel a connection to its moana.
Revive Our Gulf was honoured to be included in the line-up of speakers, in the beautiful whare whakairo.
Ngā mihi nui to Forest and Bird, in particular Bianca Ranson, Forest and Bird’s Hauraki Gulf Coordinator for pulling together the campaign and launch. Thanks also to Waiheke Dive for the E-Z Up loan.