Archive for April 2025

Toi Moana Biosecurity Summer Biosecurity Ambassadors have been travelling around the bay this summer to spread the word on preventing the spread of marine pests such as invasive exotic caulerpa. This nasty seaweed can smother the sea floor to stop our native kaimoana from thriving. It has not reached the Bay of Plenty but has…

Mediterranean fanworm was first detected in New Zealand in 2008 and is now present in several harbours, including many parts of the of the upper North Island. They form dense beds of up to 1,000 individuals per square metre and are highly effective filter feeders, so they are good at out-competing our native species for…

Christopher Battershill, a member of the TMBC Executive Committee and professor at the University of Waikato, gave an insightful speech this Seaweek! He provided an overview of current research on the blue economy and its sustainability, which was a central focus of the Daybreak Festival of Innovation. The festival took place here in Tauranga on…

TMBC has been planning for another year of Tiakina Taiao in 2025, with our first session set to be held in late March. We have schools from all across the Bay of Plenty coming along to Pilot Bay to participate. The programme helps Tamariki learn about their natural environment and seeks to inspire future biosecurity…

The high-risk brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season runs from 1 September to 30 April, when there is a higher risk of BMSB arriving as they hibernate in large numbers to survive the northern hemisphere winter. Since September, six live BMSB have been detected, with four of these in October. This compares favourably with the…

TMBC was represented at the Bay of Plenty Garden & Arts festival from the 14-17th of November, with our partners and friends sharing insights on critical biosecurity topics. A presentation led by Nicky Oliver-Smith and Steph Bathgate was held to discuss the evolution of DIY backyard ponds. Titled “From the Pond to the Lake”, Nicky…

Participants of the Haerenga Taiao Field Trip gathered to immerse themselves in Mātauranga Māori and explore pressing environmental issues at the Otāwhiwhi Marae in Bowentown. Nestled at the northern entrance of Tauranga Harbour, Otāwhiwhi Marae is a cornerstone of cultural and historical significance for Te Whānau o Tauwhao and the Ngāi te Rangi iwi. The…

It was an eventful day for the Manaaki Te Awanui Research Trust at Tauranga Harbour, which made the first discovery of the Japanese mantis shrimp in the Bay of Plenty Region. As part of Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Asian Paddle Crab trapping programme, a single Japanese mantis shrimp (JMS) was captured in…

During the trapping process, Manaaki Te Awanui also found increased numbers of the Asian paddle crab compared to previous seasons. This is an aggressive marine pest that can carry diseases, eat vital shellfish species and compete with other native crabs. Both the Japanese mantis shrimp and the Asian paddle crab are detrimental to our marine habitat and…