Features
Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve, north of Tauranga, was established in January 1993 to protect marine organisms and their habitats for present and future generations.
Aerial view of Tuhua (Mayor Island)
It covers about three square nautical miles at the northern end of the Island and extends from mean high water springs mark to one nautical mile offshore. The reserve includes about five kilometres of coastline from Tumutu Point east to Turanganui Point.
The east and west boundaries are marked by a pair of triangular orange and white daymarks on the shore which when lined up give the bearing of the boundary. The seaward boundary is located as described on the map below.
Tuhua was once internationally renowned for its recreational fishing, diving and big game fishing, but recreational and commercial fishing and harvesting have severely depleted fish stocks. This prompted the Mayor Island Board of Trustees ' as representatives of the owners and tangata whenua of Tuhua ' to call for the establishment of a marine reserve and a complementary restricted fishing area for the Island. The proposals received widespread support.
The restricted fishing area extends one nautical mile offshore around the rest of the island, including Tuhua Reef. Set nets (including gill nets) and long lines (lines with more than three hooks) are prohibited within this area but all other legal methods are allowed. Normal daily limits apply. Contact the Ministry of Fisheries for further information on the restricted fishing area.
Map of Tuhua (Mayor Island) Marine Reserve
Contacts