Research and monitoring in Tāwharanui Marine Reserve

Research 

Selected significant publications:

• Long-term trends in lobster populations in a partially protected vs. no-take marine park. Shears et al, 2006. 
• Spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii, recovery in New Zealand marine reserves. Kelly et al, 2000. 
• Marine reserves demonstrate top-down control of community structure on temperate reefs (PDF, 169K). Shears and Babcock, 2002. 
• Indirect effects of marine reserve protection on New Zealand’s rocky coastal marine communities (PDF, 391K). Shears and Babcock, 2004.
• Changes in community structure in temperate marine reserves. Babcock et al, 1999. 

Monitoring

Tāwharanui Marine Reserve has been studied by Dr Roger Grace since 1977, long before it was protected from fishing. DOC began regular surveys of the snapper, rock lobster (crayfish) and other fish inside and at nearby sites outside the marine reserve in 2009.