Whitianga Floating Classroom – 11th of May

On 11 May, we welcomed two groups of 14 participants aboard the Glass Bottom Boat in Whitianga for an engaging Floating Classroom session focused on marine conservation and environmental monitoring.

During the trip, participants had the opportunity to observe a variety of marine life in their natural habitat, including snapper, New Zealand fur seals, red moki, blue maomao, and several other fish species. The clear viewing conditions provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the rich biodiversity found within the marine reserve.

A key part of the session focused on the importance of marine reserves and the recent expansion of reserve boundaries in the Cathedral Cove area. Discussions highlighted how protected areas help preserve marine ecosystems, support biodiversity, and contribute to the long-term health of our coastal environments.

Participants also took part in hands-on water quality testing, comparing conditions inside and outside the marine reserve. One of the most noticeable differences was water turbidity, with waters outside the reserve showing significantly higher turbidity levels than those within the protected area. This practical exercise helped demonstrate how environmental conditions can vary across different marine environments and reinforced the value of ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts.