Protecting Marine Life During Construction The Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project is taking place within an active marine environment that is home to dolphins, seals, penguins and other wildlife. Protecting marine life is a key part of how we plan and carry out construction activities. Before, during and after marine works, our environmental team monitors conditions, watches for marine mammals and implements a range of measures to protect wildlife and water quality. Marine Mammal Monitoring Specially trained Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) monitor the harbour during piling activities to help protect dolphins, whales, seals and other marine mammals. Before piling begins each day, observers spend at least 30 minutes scanning the harbour and marina for marine mammals. Continuous monitoring then takes place throughout piling activities, with observations continuing after work has finished. If a marine mammal enters a designated Marine Mammal Observation Zone (MMOZ) around the piling activity, piling is stopped until it is safe to restart. Work can only resume once the animal has moved away or has not been seen within the observation zone for a specified period. This monitoring programme operates in accordance with project management plans. Meet Our Marine Mammal Observers Trini Can you tell us a bit about yourself I was born in Mt Maunganui. I got into the construction industry through my husband who worked for Albert Smith in Brisbane. I started off as the cleaner and worked my way up to machine operator. We then moved back to New Zealand, and we were based in Christchurch for five years before transferring here to be a machine operator. I was then asked to be a MMO by a Project Manager. What do you enjoy most about being a MMO? I have found being a MMO very rewarding, watching the mammals and learning their behaviour signs, and the different types of species. Everything about the mammals, the way they behave, their environment, it’s a blessing to come to work every day just to see the mammals. What is your favourite marine animal and why? Dolphins they are very intelligent, beautiful to watch, I love them. Tabitha Can you tell us a bit about yourself? I’ve always had an interest in the ocean and what goes on underneath the surface. From starting with national geographic programs and fishing with my parents as a kid to majoring in marine science and ecology at the University of Otage and previously working in marine wildlife tour guiding. What do you enjoy most about being a MMO? Seeing animals be animals in their natural environment. Already on this job we’ve had several visits from common dolphins resulting in work ups both in the harbour arm and the middle of the harbour with gannets, shags, sea gulls, and fur seals joining in. What is your favourite marine animal and why Easily Southern Elephant Seals. I’ve had the luck of seeing a few juvenile individuals who made the long journey from the Sub-Antarctic islands to Dunedin. While I thought male sea lions were big these guys were huge with personalities to match, often ‘fighting’ logs of driftwood washed up by storms. Knowing that they would have doubled in size and tripled in weight when they reach maturity was mind blowing. Please Give Our Observers Space While our observers are often working in public areas, they need to maintain constant watch during piling activities. If you see an observer at work, please avoid interrupting them unless it is important. A brief distraction could mean missing a marine mammal sighting. Thank you for helping us protect our precious local marine mammals! Marine Mammals We May Encounter Picton Harbour and Totaranui Queen Charlotte Sound are home to a variety of marine mammals. Species that may be seen in the area include: Migrant Species Visitor Species These animals may be feeding, travelling, resting or passing through the area. Reducing Underwater Noise Bubble curtain operating around pile Piling works create underwater sound that can travel through the harbour. To help protect marine mammals, the project uses a range of measures to reduce underwater noise and provide animals with the opportunity to move away from the area. These measures include a “soft start” process, where piling begins gradually and increases to full operating levels over a 10-minute period, as well as bubble curtains, which create a wall of air bubbles around piling works to help reduce the transmission of underwater sound through the water. What are bubble curtains? A bubble curtain is a ring or line of compressed air bubbles released underwater around a piling site. The bubbles form a barrier that help reduce underwater noise from pilling, reducing the amount of noise reaching marine life. As sound waves pass through the bubbles they are scattered and weakened. Protecting Kororā (Little Blue Penguins) Kororā are regularly found around the Marlborough Sounds and Waitohi Picton harbour environment. Port Marlborough regularly undertakes ongoing kororā monitoring as part of our broader commitment to looking after our marine environment, and biodiversity. As part of the WFRP, this monitoring programme has been expanded, with increased monitoring frequency and coverage within and around project work areas. Monitoring is undertaken by specialist environmental consultants WMIL, alongside trained project personnel. Daily inspections are carried out in areas where kororā may shelter or nest, helping to identify and protect any birds before construction activities begin. We also work closely with our partners at Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary to rehome penguins in their predator-free areas out of our busy port zone when required. Where kororā are found to be in the port operational areas, appropriate management measures are implemented to ensure we can keep them safe. Read more about Port Marlborough’s work with kororā here: LINK Learn more about kororā on the Department of Conservation website: Department of Conservation – Kororā (Little Blue Penguin) Read more about Port Marlborough’s broader biodiversity initiatives: Port Marlborough Biodiversity Programme Protecting Water Quality Protecting the health of Waitohi Picton Harbour involves more than marine mammal monitoring. The project uses a range of environmental controls to prevent sediment and construction-related materials from entering the marine environment, including: Sediment and erosion controls Spill prevention measures Environmental monitoring and inspections Careful management of construction materials and equipment These measures help protect water quality and minimise impacts on marine habitats. Environmental Protection Is Everyone’s Responsibility Protecting the harbour environment is a shared responsibility across the project team. Environmental advisors, Marine Mammal Observers, engineers, construction crews and subcontractors all play a role in ensuring work is carried out responsibly and in accordance with environmental requirements. Through monitoring, planning and practical mitigation measures, we are working to deliver the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project while helping protect the wildlife and marine environment that make Waitohi Picton Harbour unique. Have questions? For information on Port Marlborough’s environmental and sustainability programmes please email [email protected], or for enquiries about construction activities or site works, contact HEB Construction at [email protected].
