The Picton Bays (Shakespeare Bay, Picton Bay, Waikawa Bay) in which we operate are a vibrant tapestry of land and sea that supports an array of native wildlife from pods of Dusky and Hector’s dolphins to an abundance of different land and seabirds.
To better understand our harbour environment Port Marlborough have previously engaged with Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute, Cawthron Institute and Wildlife Management International to conduct monitoring so that we can do our best to protect the welfare of its inhabitants.
The Marlborough Sounds is home to a wide range of seabirds, and surveys around the Port and Marina operational areas have identified at least 31 specific species including:
In 2019, we partnered with the Cawthron Institute to monitor dolphin and whale activity in Picton Bays. Acoustic buoys recorded data for a year, confirming regular dolphin visits to Picton Harbour and Shakespeare Bay.
Bottlenose and dusky dolphins appeared almost daily in winter and spring, less so in warmer months. Hectors dolphins were rarely detected near The Snout, aligning with their offshore range.
Orcas are also known to visit the area (and did so soon after conclusion of the monitoring work).
While no whales were detected during the survey period, in recent years a juvenile humpback whale also visited, spending several days in the harbour around Westshore.
Uniquely, Picton Harbour is also home to a mainland pest free island Kaipūpū Sanctuary.
The sanctuary stands as a testament to a 20-year collaboration between Port Marlborough, the Department of Conservation, and the dedicated local community.
This land was once grazing farmland for the New Zealand Refrigerating Company in the 1900s. Today, it is protected by a 600 metre predator proof fence and an army of volunteers.
Restoration is visible in many states across the Sanctuary with developing areas dominated by mānuka and kānuka growing alongside established old growth forest with large Tawa and Beech.
The Sanctuary has been become a haven for visitors, educational groups and our community.
Click to learn more about Kaipūpū Sanctuary.
In October 2020, Port Marlborough partnered with Kaipūpū Sanctuary to investigate the kororā population in Picton Bays. The survey work was undertaken by Alastair Judkins and his specially trained penguin dog Mena, and Jody Weir of the Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute.
The survey results were very encouraging, with close to 50 nesting sites identified including strong populations around some parts of the operational port area, and smaller populations at Waikawa.
With this baseline survey data now in place, an ongoing monitoring plan is in place along with habitat improvement initiatives in partnership with Kaipūpū Sanctuary.
