Today’s photo of the week captures the beauty of Akaroa Harbour and its surrounds.
New Zealand’s newest marine reserve was formally opened in the south eastern corner of Akaroa Harbour last weekend, to coincide with World Oceans Day.
Akaroa Marine Reserve will benefit hundreds of species, including giant bull kelp, green and horse mussels, sea tulips, hydroids, sponges, sea squirts, sea anemones, cushion, snake and biscuit stars; fish like blue cod, butterfish, blue moki, leatherjacket and white pointer sharks; birds like penguins and shags and marine mammals like fur seals and Hector’s dolphins.
“Akaroa is an iconic harbour and is hugely popular for its recreation, scenery and heritage. The reserve will enhance Akaroa’s growing nature-based tourism and will be an economic as well as an environmental asset for the Banks Peninsula community,” says Selwyn MP and Environment Minister Amy Adams.
Photo by Daniel Pietzsch | CC BY-NC 2.0
