PROJECTS /
Māra Moana
Project Summary
Restoring native climate-resilient kelp in Lyttelton Harbour
Collaboration between science, iwi, sport and conservation
Kelp plays a vital role in a healthy marine ecosystem
Photo Credit / John Kottier
DEVELOPING CLIMATE RESILIENT KELP IN WHAKARAUPŌ LYTTELTON
In the South Island, kelp forests face different challenges than in the North – they’re being impacted by sedimentation and an ocean that is already warming. In the summer of 2017 and 2018 a marine heatwave caused sea surface temperatures in New Zealand to climb to record levels wiping out much the native kelp around Christchurch and Lyttelton Harbour.
In 2023 the Māra Moana project is underway seeking to restore native rimurimu kelp in Lyttelton Harbour and bring back a flourishing ecosystem.
“Supporting and working alongside tangata tiaki allows them to share their knowledge and guide our research.”
Matt De Roe
Research Fellow – University of Otago
Māra Moana builds from research seeking to develop climate resilient cultivars of rimurimu (Giant Kelp or Macrocystis pyrifera) to use in restoration. The project led by Matt De Roe is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Otago, hapū of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and made possible by the Centre of Research Excellence – Coastal People Southern Skies.
In a bid to rebuild the kelp forests of Whakaraupō, trialling re-seeding native rimurimu and also seeking to identify and develop climate resilient cultivars for the greatest chance of success.
The wider project is ultimately about restoration with scientists looking to develop toolkits for handover to communities invested in looking after their local areas, and Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour is a test bed for this approach.
OUR IMPACT
Live Ocean Foundation support for Māra Moana will see Ngāti Wheke divers provided training and boat time for Undaria removal and to trial planting the rimurimu kelp in Whākaraupo Lyttleton harbour.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Dr Matt De Roe
Research Fellow, University of Otago
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