Background:
Since 2020, the Kōura Dive Survey has collected vital data on kōura (crayfish) populations around Waiheke Island to support marine conservation and management decisions. Kōura are ecologically important as key predators that help maintain reef health, but their populations have declined due to overfishing and habitat loss. The survey takes place in winter, when cooler water temperatures encourage kōura to move into shallower areas, improving observation accuracy. Now in its fifth year, the project continues to strengthen community-led stewardship and inform the ongoing implementation of the four-species rāhui.
Mission:
The mission of the Kōura Dive Survey is to monitor the abundance and distribution of kōura species (Jasus edwardsii and Sagmariasus verreauxi) along Waiheke Island’s coastline, supporting culturally and ecologically informed marine management. In 2025, the survey aims to increase Māori diver participation, particularly among ngā uri o Ngāti Paoa, prioritize involvement of mana whenua and Waiheke residents, complete at least six surveys across key sites with a focus on Area 5, foster mentorship between experienced and new divers through tuākana/teina relationships, and integrate mātauranga Māori by aligning survey efforts with environmental indicators such as lunar phases and taiao conditions.
Data Impact
The Kōura Dive Survey provides localized, long-term data that supports marine management decisions, including the closure of the CRA2 rock lobster fishery in Tīkapa Moana. By combining scientific monitoring with mātauranga Māori, the survey tracks kōura population trends, strengthens rāhui protections, and empowers community-driven conservation.
How to Participate:
To join the Kōura Dive Survey as a diver, freediver, or skipper, please email SeaKeepers’ South Pacific Director at [email protected] for more information.
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