Welcome to the Midnight Collective Broadsheet 65
Actively supporting NZ’s endangered wetland birds
One
of the most delightful and enigmatic creatures of the sea are these sea-horses,
which are rarely spotted in the wild.
But they were encountered at a community snorkelling event in Porirua last weekend. It was run by Healthy
Harbours Porirua and held offshore at Whitirea Park last weekend. This is a large-bellied seahorse photographed in an aquarium but found around New Zealand and across on the Australian coast facing us. It can grow up to 35 centimetres (around 15 inches) and six were sighted in the shallows off Porirua. They feed around the seaweed and can hook onto it with their prehensile tails while feeding on small crustacean. Part of their magic is in their movement with their fins allowing them to move sideways or up and down slowly, but at will. They are rather like dragonflies which have the same ability to zip sideways.
Yelloweyed mullet were also seen during the programme.
 |
| Yelloweyed mullet - NZ sea herring |
MC
of the event was Zoe Studd and it put 50 people, including youngsters into the
water, all togged out in wet suits and snorkelling gear. Also involved were the
Greater Wellington Regional Council (How pleasant it is seeing these guys
getting behind conservation education programmes).
If
YOU want to go trolling around underwater, catching up with some of our rarer
marine species then you haven’t missed out because there’s another escapade
planned for the Island Bay marine reserve this weekend – Beginners welcome, though
you better be quick.
Date - Sunday 8 March 10am-2.30pm
Meet at the Marine Education Centre HQ. (Old surf Club, the Esplanade, Island Bay). All gear/guides provided. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must be able to swim 50 metres.
Details on the Seaweek website
An
emergency contact number is zoe.studd@gmail.com
Be There or Be Square!!!
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