Whangaparaoa residents rally to save depleted rock pools from overharvesting

A peaceful protest is set to take place in Whangaparaoa this weekend over the decline of marine life in local rock pools. Organisers say years of overharvesting have left the area’s intertidal zones empty, with hundreds of visitors removing shellfish and seaweed daily. Residents will gather at Army Bay boat ramp on Saturday morning to call for stronger protections and a ban on harvesting along Auckland’s eastern coastline. Mark Lenton, a member of the Protect Whangaparaoa Rockpools group, has raised concerns about the damage caused by excessive gathering. He claims that between 200 and 300 people visit Army Bay each day, using tools like chisels and hammers to strip the rock pools of all plant and animal life. The area has seen a sharp decline over the past two years, with both families and organized tours contributing to the problem. The protest aims to push for a complete ban on harvesting shellfish and seaweed from rock pools in the region. Local iwi, Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, have already applied for a two-year legal ban under section 186A of the Fisheries Act. A similar request was made in July 2021 by the New Zealand Seaweed Growers Association, seeking a ban on harvesting seaweed and sea lettuce along the same coastline. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is expected to make a decision on Ngāti Manuhiri’s application next month. Meanwhile, residents and supporters will meet at 10am on Saturday to highlight the issue and urge both gatherers and the government to take action. The protest follows years of growing concern over the state of Whangaparaoa’s rock pools. If approved, the proposed ban would temporarily halt all harvesting in the area. Organizers hope the demonstration will push authorities to enforce stricter measures before further damage occurs.