frogblog

Metiria announced the extra dosh we managed to squeeze out of Labour for three wetlands. Unsurprisingly, Cullen’s visceral dislike of anything green meant that he didn’t acknowledge that the Greens got the money when he announced it in his budget speech. But hey who cares because in the end we will help three important wetlands areas. This from her budget speech:

The first is the Whangamarino wetland near Hamilton. At well over 5500ha, the Whangamarino Wetland is home to 239 wetland plant species, including many rare and vulnerable species. 60% of them are indigenous. It plays a major role in flood control in the Waikato area, is a key water bird habitat and is home to native fish, including short and long finned eels.

The Whangamarino Wetland is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. A number of invertebrates occur in the wetland including seven species of molluscs, seven species of water flea. Aquatic insect life includes dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, non-biting midges, craneflies, midges and water and a tinywater skate Microvelia is possibly the most abundant animal in the wetland.

The only species of moth in New Zealand with an aquatic larva (Nymphyla nitens) is common in this wetland.

The second is the Ashburton Lakes, Rangitata River area in Canturbury. It was here, on the shore of the Maori Lakes that I announced this new funding. This area is one of the best remaining high country wetland complexes in our country. The nearby premium braided river habitats remain outstanding examples of freshwater ecology. The around 12 lakes and tarns drain generally into the Ashburton River (south branch) and Lake Heron drains northwards through an extensive wetland into the Rakaia catchment.

The lakes/tarns are bounded by glacial moraines, outwash and alluvial fans, or are kettle holes in former glacial surfaces. The smallest lakes freeze over in winter. Each differs in the details, in having either streamside swamps, stony beaches and/or turflands. The Upper Rangitata is one of few braided river habitats in New Zealand largely free of invasive weeds.

This money will help to protect species upported by these habitats, e.g. wrybill/ ngutuparore, crested grebe/kämana and a range of threatened flora.

And the third is Awarua/Waituna in Southland. Covering 3556ha, Waituna Lagoon was listed as a RAMSAR site in 1976 and is home to at least 76 bird species and more than 150 native plant species among its unique, moor-like vegetation. These species present here are otherwise confined to mountainous areas above 900m in the North Island. It is an important summer refuge and feeding area for many migratory wading birds. It is also an important trout fishery and native fish habitat. The wetland contains the Waituna Lagoon along with adjacent peatlands, numerous ponds/lakes and coastline.

Meanwhile another 56 endangered New Zealand sea lions were killed by the squid fishery this season under the watchful eye of Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton. Not a good outcome and its probably a lot more when you account for the sea lions that died after escaping from the nets and the pups that starved after the squid fishers killed their mothers at sea. Total adult breeding population now just 5000. After Labour/Jim sees off Maui’s dolphin, by refusing to implement a comprehensive set net ban, will the NZ Sea Lion be their next victim?

Yes I know Jim said firm things to the fishing industry recently which is good but how about a NZ Sea Lion kill quota of close to zero? He says the govt says they will help with eco-labelling of the fishing industry - so will the squid fishery get an eco tick after killing lots of endangered sea lions?

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