Physical, chemical and biological monitoring of water quality in estuaries within the Northland region for Northland Regional Council. Sampling sites are currently located in the Whangarei Harbour (WH), Bay of Islands (BOI) and Kaipara Harbour (KH), past data includes Hokianaga and Whangaroa Harours. Sampling frequency = 2monthly + 3 event driven sampling each year following heavy rainfall (WH, BOI), monthly (KH). Sampling began in 1986 (WH, BOI) and 2009 (KH) and is ongoing. Number of sites = 41 total currently. Since the start of the programme some sites have been dropped and some new sites have been added. Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Water quality: salinity, DO%, DOmg/l, temp (YSI meter), Enterococci, faecal coliforms (Internal lab), TP, DRP, NNN, NH4, Turbidity (External lab), secchi, water depth (recorded in field). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal field monitoring manual and QA procedures. Water samples taken from top 0.5m of water column and sampling conducted at random tidal states, giving a more representative picture of water quality over time (WH, BIO) or high water (KH).

Located in the Auckland Conservancy, this marine reserve was established in 1995. An initial baseline habitat survey was not completed for this reserve. Monitoring at this reserve targets intertidal soft sediment benthic communities (monitoring intertidal communities occurring on soft substrates (unconsolidated) – mud, sand, gravels, cobbles in coastal or estuarine environments). Sampling frequency = irregular. Depths sampled: 0-10 m. Methods used to collect data:transect, photograph

Environmental monitoring and reporting in accordance with resource consents for salmon farming. Temporal coverage: 2011 (on-going) Number of sites: 6 salmon farms, 5-10 stations per farm in Queen Charlotte Sound (Ruakaka, Te Pangu, Clay Point, Otanerau) and Pelorus Sound (Forsyth Bay, Waihinau) Sampling Frequency: Annual Main marine environment sampled: Coastal (Sounds) Depth zone: Subtidal Sediment type: Soft Community association: Mud Sampling method: Grab samples, drop cameras, Van Dorn sampler, field observations Parameters collected: Sediment, water, in-fauna, bacterial Measured variables: Sediment: total free sulphides, redox potential, particle size, organic content, odour, metal concentrations (Cu, Zn), sediment outgassing; Community: in-fauna abundance and diversity; Bacterial mat coverage; Water column: near-bottom dissolved oxygen, nutrients (nitrate-N, nitrite-N, ammoniacal-N and dissolved reactive phosphorous) Species/Community data: Benthic invertebrates Other data collected: Rocky reef monitoring is also carried out for Te Pangu and Clay Point Collection: ongoing Quality assurance: Yes

Records of results of experiments using towed echosounders to assess quantities of fish of particular species in particular locations. Sampling frequency: variable. Sample data cover 1996 to 2011. Number of sites: variable. Lat/Long provided for all data. Extent of site: entire EEZ (and sometimes beyond). Areas from which these data have been collected include the Chatham Rise, the Campbell Plateau, the west coast of the South Island, Cook Strait and various inshore regions around New Zealand. Depths sampled: 0-3000 m. Measured variables: The acoustic database contains data collected from acoustic surveys starting in 1984 through to the present day. Species on which acoustic data have been collected include hoki, hake, smooth and black oreos, orange roughy, and southern blue whiting. Areas from which these data have been collected include the Chatham Rise, the Campbell Plateau, the west coast of the South Island, Cook Strait and various inshore regions around New Zealand. The data are used primarily to estimate the biomass of fish species for the Ministry for Primary Industries. Aside from the acoustic data, this database also stores various ancillary data that provide context to the acoustic data. This includes such data as vessel position, speed, and direction of travel. Details on the echosounder equipment and software settings are also stored, as are the results of any equipment calibrations. Sampling protocol & Q: towed echosounders.

Located in the Southland Conservancy, this marine reserve was established in 1993. An initial baseline habitat survey was completed. Monitoring at this reserve targets subtidal reef fish associated with rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs, subtital monitoring surveys specifically targeting reef rock lobster and monitoring the effect of human activity on the marine reserve e.g. species, assemblage/community changes and habitats. Sampling frequency = irregular. Depths sampled:0-200 m Methods used to collect data:transect , UVC, BUV, pot, photograph, drop camera, other.

Located in the Southland Conservancy, this marine reserve was established in 1995. An initial baseline habitat survey was completed. Monitoring at this reserve targets subtidal reef benthic communities and key species (abundance and population size structure of mobile invertebrates, sessile invertebrates, algal communities and other selected key species (e.g. paua, kina) occurring on rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs); subtidal fish species associated with rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs; and targeted subtidal rock lobster monitoring surveys. Sampling frequency = irregular. Depths sampled: 0-100 m. Methods used to collect data:UVC, BUV, photograph, pot

The Graveyard seamount complex on the northern flanks of the Chatham Rise has several seamounts that have been managed as part of the seamount closures in 2001. The depths at which these seamounts exist are: 750-1250 m for peaks, and 1050-1600 m for seamount base. As part of this management, a directed survey was undertaken to map the distribution of fauna between seamounts with various levels of fishing effort. Images taken using NIWAs Deep Towed Imaging System (DTIS) provided the main data source. Surveys have been conducted on 3 occasions to collect image data of the benthic fauna/habitats to monitor changes over time: • seamounts open to fishing; • two unfished seamounts, now closed; and • one previously fished, now closed. This "natural experimental area" allows an evaluation of whether impacted habitat can recover over time following cessation of fishing, and the form the recovery may take. Measured variables: benthic mega epifauna Epibenthic sled: cod-end mesh size 25mm. Year of sampling: seafloor imagery with seamounts camera in 2001; NIWAs Deep Towed Image System (DTIS) in 2006 and 2009. Sampling frequency: 4 seamounts were sampled each survey, with up to 7 in 2006. The following seamounts were sampled each survey: Graveyard, Morgue, Gothic, and Diabolical. Temporal resolution of individual samples: continuous video, still images every 1 minute (2001), 30 secs (2006), 15 secs (2009). Sampling locations: at least 4 complete video transects on each seamount, with up to 8 transects on Morgue. Each transect was from the summit to the base of the seamount. Repear transects were made. Number of records: 2001 survey, 220 images; 2006 survey, 5097 images; 2009 survey, 8164 images. Still images generally showed 6-8 sq.m of seafloor. Other sampling method: epibenthic sled Positional accuracy: depth, latitude,and longitude are measured by a device (HPR) attached to the camera system deployed from NIWAs research vessel Tangaroa. Minimum size recorded: smallest megafauna 2-3 cm. Sampling protocols and quality assurance was imposed on the methods. There were checks between recorders and one person examined all the images. Data analysis: ongoing for a full comparison of the three surveys. Completed reports describing the surveys are listed above.

Located in the Nelson-Marlborough Conservancy, this marine reserve was established in 2006. An initial baseline habitat survey was completed at this reserve. Monitoring at this reserve targets intertidal reef communities (monitoring rocky intertidal communities occurring on rocky reefs, boulder reefs); subtidal soft sediment benthic communities (monitoring the abundance and population size structure of invertebrates, algal communities and other selected key species occurring on soft substrate (unconsolidated) - mud, sand, gravels, cobbles in coastal or estuarine environments); subtidal reef benthic communities and key species (monitoring the abundance and population size structure of mobile invertebrates, sessile invertebrates, algal communities and other selected key species (e.g. paua, kina) occurring on rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs) and subtidal reef fish species associated with rocky reefs, boulders and biogenic reefs. In addition, monitoring surveys are conducted specifically targeting rock lobster and blue cod. Habitat surveys were conducted after the initial baseline survey. Sampling frequency = irregular. Depths sampled: 0-20 m. Methods used to collect data:UVC, BUV, pot, photograph.

This record summarises the state of the environment monitoring for Waimea Estuary.Waimea Estuary was one of the estuaries used during the initial development of the Estuary Monitoring Protocol (EMP) Temporal coverage: from 2011 (ongoing) Number of sites: 4 Sampling Frequency: 5 yearly Main marine environment sampled: Estuarine Depth zone: Intertidal Sediment type: Soft Community association: Mudflats Sampling method: Sediment cores, infauna cores, photos, field observation Parameters collected: Infauna/epifauna communities, physical parameters, benthic microalgae, benthic macroalgae Measured variables: epifauna/infauna diversity & abundances Metals, TN, TP, AFDW, Grain-size, Chl-a, , RPD layer, and in 2001 % cover of macroalgae Species/Community data: Benthic invertebrates, and in 2001 macroalgae (? 0.5 mm) Other data collected: unknown Collection: ongoing Quality assurance: Unknown

Located in the Southland Conservancy, this marine reserve was established in 1995. An initial baseline habitat survey was completed. Monitoring at this reserve targets subtidal reef benthic communities and key species (abundance and population size structure of mobile invertebrates, sessile invertebrates, algal communities and other selected key species (e.g. paua, kina) occurring on rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs); subtidal fish species associated with rocky reefs, boulder reefs, biogenic reefs; and targeted subtidal rock lobster monitoring surveys. Sampling frequency = irregular. Depths sampled: 0-100 m. Methods used to collect data:UVC, BUV, photograph, pot