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The findings of a research programme aimed at offering a better understanding of the impacts on the marine environment after devastating earthquakes is now available to the public.
The research suggests the coastal deformation incurred in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is the most highly variable observed in any global earthquake in modern time. The complexity of the quake resulted in large horizontal displacements along the Kekerengu fault and vertical movement on the Papatea fault. It also generated more than 10,000 landslides - several hundred of these occurred along the coastal slopes.
According to one study, all fishing was stopped for three months immediately after the Kaikōura earthquake – a big issue for the commercial sector with over $10 million of lobster waiting to be harvested at the time. The post-quake survey research revealed that the fishery was in good health and that lobster resources had not been affected by the event.
Another study, which delved into the recreational fishing areas in Kaikōura and Motunau, shows no observed changes in blue cod abundance, size and age composition, and sex ratio in 2017 that could be attributed to the 2016 earthquake. Additionally, one set of research assessed the potential impact of the earthquake on the abundance and distribution of Hector’s dolphins in the Kaikōura region. Its survey results suggest no statistically discernible difference in abundance during the two semesters after the earthquake.
Manager of Fisheries Science Richard Ford said the $2 million Kaikōura earthquake marine recovery package funded research is a good baseline to identify the impacts of the earthquakes on particular species and the ecology of the marine area.
“Continued monitoring of the recovery progress will inform future marine management options for when and how the current closure of shellfish and seaweed fisheries may be lifted,” Ford added.
There were a total of 11 studies presented by Fisheries New Zealand, Te Korowai, and the Kaikōura Marine Guardians.
