Kahukura (Gold Arm) Marine Reserve

The marine reserve has a range of important marine habitats, sheltered from ocean swells, including for red coral and black coral.[1]

It covers the fiord of the Gold Arms, including part of the Windward River estuary, a broken rocky reef habitat, and large submerged boulders around Fanny and Catherine Islands. It also includes the rock wall and terraced rock wall habitat at Old Point.[1]

In the fiords, heavy rainfall runs off from the surrounding mountains creates a permanent freshwater layer to about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 10 metres (33 ft) below the surface. A layer of calm, clear and warm seawater provides a habitat for a range of sponges, corals and fish to about 40 metres (130 ft) below the surface. A final layer of seawater, too darkened by tannins from vegetation run-off to support most marine life, extends to depths of up to 400 metres (1,300 ft).[3]

The fiords are also a habitat for black corals and brittle stars that live in their branches.[4] There are also brachiopods, aihe (bottlenose dolphins), kekono (New Zealand fur seals), tawaki (Fiordland crested penguins) and kororā (little blue penguins).[3]

The Māori name Hāwea is after the ancient iwi of Kāti Hāwea.[5]

The reserve was part of a conservation strategy the Fiordland Marine Guardians launched in 2002 and presented to the Ministry for the Environment Marian Hobbs and Minister of Fisheries Pete Hodgson in 2003.[6] It was officially established on 21 April 2005.[7][2]

The Ministry of Primary Industries, Fiordland Marine Guardians and other agencies are involved in protecting the marine reserve and stopping the spread of invasive seaweed.[3]

The New Zealand Air Force conducted aerial surveillance patrols for illegal commercial fishing in 2021.[8]

Educational and scientific activities are encouraged, but must not disturb or endanger plants, animals or natural features. Scientific research requires a permit from the Department of Conservation.[3]

An area within the marine reserve is designated for commercial rock lobster fishers to store holding pots, including pots to sore live lobsters caught outside the reserve for up to two months.[1] No other commercial or non-commercial fishing or aquaculture is allowed.[3]

The reserve is accessible from Te Anau via the Milford Road. Anchoring boats is banned in many areas to protect the particularly fragile species that can be damaged by anchors or swinging chains. Taking off and landing aircraft is permitted.[3]

The protected marine life can be viewed by diving or snorkelling, either independently or with a tourism or charter boat service. To protect the fragile environments, divers must follow the safety and care codes.[3]

There is a ban on fishing, and taking, killing or moving marine life and materials. However, members of Ngāi Tahu may remove pounamu provided they have the right authorisation, only collect by hand, keep disturbance to the site to a minimum, and only carry as much as they can in one trip. They may also collect deceased marine mammals and collect teeth and bones.[3]

• Marine reserves of New Zealand