Auckland residents rally to save Whangaparaoa’s dying rock pools from exploitation
A group of Auckland residents is planning a peaceful protest to highlight the severe depletion of marine life in Whangaparaoa's rock pools. The demonstration comes as local iwi and conservation groups push for urgent protection measures along the eastern coastline.
The protest, organized by concerned locals, will take place at the Army Bay boat ramp this Saturday at 10am.
Residents and conservationists have raised alarms over the rapid decline of marine life from Orewa Beach to Matakatia Bay. Army Bay resident Mark Lenton, a member of the Protect Whangaparaoa Rockpools group, reports that rock pools have been systematically stripped over the years. He estimates that between 200 to 300 people per day are removing all plant and animal life, often using tools like chisels and hammers.
Lenton also notes that organized tours and commercial operators have increasingly targeted Army Bay, particularly at night. His concerns are echoed by Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chairperson Alexis Poppelbaum, who confirms that the area's rock pools have suffered drastic depletion in just the past two years.
In response, Ngati Manuhiri Settlement Trust, alongside the Sanctuary Project Charitable Trust, has applied for a two-year legal ban on harvesting shellfish and seaweed from the rock pools. The request now sits with Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones, who is expected to make a decision next month.
This weekend's protest aims to send a clear message to both the government and those responsible for the harvesting. Locals hope the gathering will push for stronger enforcement and conservation efforts before further damage occurs.
The proposed two-year ban could provide temporary relief for the struggling marine ecosystem. If approved, it would restrict the removal of mussel seed and seaweed along Auckland's eastern coastline. Meanwhile, residents continue to call for immediate action to prevent irreversible harm to the area's biodiversity.
