Kaiwhakatere ~ Navigators update
The upside of stress
The last months since our previous WMP E newsletter have been full-on, with a lot of our time and thoughts being consumed by exotic caulerpa. This is an invasive seaweed that has been detected at several locations around the northeast coast of Te Ika a Maui, including Waiheke Island. Details on WMP activity to learn about, proactively survey for and trial treatments to combat exotic caulerpa are found here on the WMP website. The WMP were sad yet proud to detect exotic caulerpa on the 29th July, off Thompsons Point, with the very effective ROV (remote operated vehicle) drone work of Logan Marine. It is hoped that by finding the invasive seaweed at such an early stage of its growth, there is more hope for speedy reduction, removal, and elimination.
As well as working with exotic caulerpa present in Waiheke waters, the WMP are active participants in Te Wero Nui, a collaborative endeavour hosted by Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, that challenges everyone in Aotearoa to think global and act local to combat exotic caulerpa. Te Wero Nui, with funding from Biosecurity New Zealand, brought a team of Californian exotic caulerpa experts to Aotearoa. Over a week in August, the Californians shared their knowledge in marae, halls, conference rooms, buses, cars, restaurants, boats and of course underwater. For the WMP, this culminated in a visit to Waiheke on the 12th August where the Californians dived the Waiheke exotic caulerpa infestation at Opopoto Bay.
The night before exotic caulerpa was detected, the WMP was hosting a wonderful event at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarltons Aquarium. Here, results from the 2023 Kōura dive survey were publicly shared with more details of these results in this Enewsletter. It was a very enjoyable night with the youth voice dominating the mic and bringing hope to us all for the future. Big thanks are due to the brand new Kaimahi hapori (WMP community coordinator) Alice, who was just one week into her new job when she project managed the event.
During these busy months, more than one person with the WMP has reported feeling some stress. According to a handy book by Kelly McGonigal called The Upside of Stress, stress is what arises when something you care about is at stake. Well that is certainly true of exotic caulerpa and is true of the latest central government proposition regarding trawl corridors in Tīkapa Moana. Stressful situations are ones that we cannot control but become opportunities to grow. Folk with the WMP have been learning together through the stress, recognising the shared motivation to protect the marine environment and collectively harnessing that stress energy to make a difference.
Looking ahead, this collaborative work will continue. A submission against the proposed trawl corridors will be made, more ROV surveying of Waiheke waters for exotic caulerpa and other invasive organisms will take place, Kelp Gardeners and Regen diving will kick in for the summer. Keep your eyes posted for opportunities to get wet and active.
Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell
Kaiwhakatere - Navigator