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World's first Marine BioBlitz hits Wellington17 September 2007 - Wellington Contact: Marine BioBlitz Co-ordinator Heather Anderson, 04 801 2218, 021 127 1223 Wellington will host the world’s first Marine BioBlitz, beginning on Sunday 30 September. This scientific race against time aims to identify as many plant and animal species as possible in just one month in the Kupe/Kevin Smith Marine Reserve off Wellington’s south coast. The Marine BioBlitz involves many different organizations and agencies, including Forest & Bird, NIWA, Victoria University, Te Papa, Department of Conservation, Tenths Trust, Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, WWF, four dive teams from Island Bay divers, Splash Gordon, Dive HQ and NZ Sea Adventures, Ferg’s Kayaks, Wellington Zoo, MAF and Biosecurity NZ. Marine BioBlitz Coordinator Heather Anderson says bioblitzes on land usually take place over just one day, but the Marine BioBlitz is more weather dependent because of safety issues and the need for good underwater visibility, so it will take place over a month. Heather Anderson says the Marine BioBlitz aims to promote public awareness of urban biodiversity in a fun and educational way. “This event will celebrate the amazing diversity of marine life that exists right here on our doorstep. It will also provide valuable data about the presence or absence of plant and animal species, as well as generating a better understanding and appreciation of marine conservation among Wellington residents.” As well as the search for marine species, the Marine BioBlitz will involve many other activities including walks and seashore expeditions, kayaking, marine displays, a marine photography competition, a seminar by Victoria University students researching Wellington’s south coast, a Marine Education Centre open day, a beach clean up and dune weeding. To find out which events are on, and when and where, go to the Marine BioBlitz website: www.marinebioblitz.wellington.net.nz WHAT: Marine BioBlitz WHERE: Kupe/Kevin Smith marine reserve on Wellington’s south coast; to be launched at Island Bay Surf Club WHEN: The launch is on Sunday 30th September, from 10am – 3pm. Weather permitting, the divers will go out in the morning and bring samples back to the surf club to be sorted and identified by a team of scientists. Then on the following three Sundays (October 7, 14 and 21) the location will change to the Island Bay Community Centre. The centre will be open to the public between 1-5pm to come and meet the scientists, view displays, bring photographs for identification and to check how the species count is going. Finally the Marine BioBlitz will close with a celebration back at the surf club on Sunday 28th October.
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