Dive report: North West Waiheke

10:30 am 8 Jan 2022
High tide 12:45
-36° 45' 018” S , 174° 59' 015” E
Depth 20m
Substrate recorded as high current mud
Site chosen for investigation as a dominant habitat in marine reserve proposal
Bottom time 25mins (100bar air)

Vis 4-5m at surface, 1-2m on the bottom
Mud was very soft (for 8cm then harder below)
Investigated a 20m x 20m area
Mediterranean fanworm (1-2 per sq m)
Many sponges and clubbed tunicates
I put my hand in seven times and pulled up:

• Five very large (historic) green-lipped mussels, one had a top and bottom shell which I have not seen before but it broke
• Two scallop shells in ok condition, not particularly big, also saw a scallop on the surface

Straight away, lots of shell under the surface, very easy to find.
Massive school of blue mackerel or juvenile kahawai circled me as I ascended at 15m

Posted on January 8, 2022 11:53 PM by shaun-lee