Had an opportunity to give a presentation to the local dive club last night and going thru my old photo's came across the following photo's of a Mako shark when I was living at Papamoa Beach.
Thought it was interesting enough to put up here with a bit of a description as to the background.
Be interesting to see post the Rena incident whether issues such as the sea lettuce and it causes get's pushed to the sidelines or whether the departments involved will have a renewed interest in environmental matters such as these.
Thought it was interesting enough to put up here with a bit of a description as to the background.
Be interesting to see post the Rena incident whether issues such as the sea lettuce and it causes get's pushed to the sidelines or whether the departments involved will have a renewed interest in environmental matters such as these.
This Mako shark was found on New Zealands Papamoa Beach, Thebeach is actively targeted by recreational fisherman that set their long- linesout to sea from the beach by using motorized towing devices that enables theirlines to reach into the favored fishing grounds.An idyllic spot with lovely blue water and sandy white beaches it has howeverbecome exposed to seasonal periods of Green Sea Lettuce blooms and on this particular weekthe beach was smothered with rotting Green Sea Lettuce Ulva lacuca sp. It was so thick that the swell washing up onto thebeach was a vivid bright green. Unceremoniously dumped in the middle of thiswas the dead Mako shark. The once magnificent creature had its rear flankexposed and eyes eaten.
The sea lettuce was a hotly debated topic in the Bay of Plenty with differingopinions on it’s cause but many theorizing that the pollutant runoffs from storm water drainage feeding into the harbour creates the perfect conditions forthe sea lettuce to flourish.
On the outgoing tide the sea lettuce is taken out from the harbour andcurrents, sea and wind conditions then transfers it along the coastline. Thisparticular area located some 16 kilometers from the harbour entrance.
On the outgoing tide the sea lettuce is taken out from the harbour andcurrents, sea and wind conditions then transfers it along the coastline. Thisparticular area located some 16 kilometers from the harbour entrance.
The cause to the sharks demise can be debated - was it the see conditionsproduced from the Green Sea lettuce, or the increased pressure from the fishing? But what is clear is the negative outcomesour actions can have on its inhabitants.
It will be interesting to see on-going if the sea lettuce post Rena will re-appear from potential lingering pollutants with a vengeance or not!
It will be interesting to see on-going if the sea lettuce post Rena will re-appear from potential lingering pollutants with a vengeance or not!
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