News Article: June/July 2003

Local News

Tourism's Official Quality Endorsement - 26/6/03

-06-2003

Two New Zealand dive companies, Dive!

Tutukaka and Dive White Island, have recently been granted the official Qualmark [quality mark] under the national quality endorsement system.
The Qualmark endorsement programme is designed to identify professional and trustworthy operators to enable international and domestic visitors to book and buy tourism products and services with confidence. More

Luxfer Gas Cylinders Distribution Changes

-06-2003

Luxfer Gas Cylinders has announced its new, exclusive distribution channel for Australian-made scuba cylinders for the Australian and New Zealand markets. More

Company to Farm Kingfish in Sounds - 21/5/03

-06-2003

New Zealand's first marine farm for kingfish will be sited in the Marlborough Sounds, South Island.
Island Aquafarms Ltd has converted four salmon farm cages in Crail Bay to raise juvenile yellowtail kingfish, scientifically known as Seriola lalandi. More

Fish Farming Grant - 21/5/03

-06-2003

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) has received a $1.5 million-a-year grant for six years to study how to farm new species of fish.
Niwa plans to spend the cash from the Foundation of Research, Science and Technology to study how to farm kingfish, groper, kina, lobster and eels.
This research will be done in collaboration with leading industry partners and developed into viable and profitable commercial culture" said Niwa principal scientist, Andrew Jeffs.

Deep Sea Life Also Needs Protection - 2/6/03

-06-2003

Government must think beyond coastal reserves to safeguard valuable marine life.
When fishermen in the Ross Sea hauled up in April the second-ever intact specimen of what is being termed the "colossal squid", the world wanted to know more. More

Whale Watchers Fear the Worst - 11/6/03

-06-2003

The Southern Wright Whale could be lost to New Zealand waters forever if the Department of Conservation theory is correct.
DOC is seeking information from the public to confirm speculation that the 23 whales identified from New Zealand sightings could be a different population from the 850 identified in the subantarctic islands.

Nelson-Marlborough conservancy marine specialist, Andrew Baxter, said the whales could be identified from the growths on their heads, called callosities, which were like thumbprints or individual signatures. More

Deep Sea Surprises on Discovery Trip - 11/6/03

-06-2003

Twenty eight New Zealand and Australian scientists on board the research vessel Tangaroa spent four weeks sampling the sea floor and deep waters along the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe Rise, northwest of New Zealand.
More than 400 new species of fish and other animals were found, included jelly-like sea cucumbers, fish resembling blobs of mucous, several species of blue rays found only near Lord Howe Island, crabs, starfish and sea anemones, and a new species of redfish, a commercial species.

Environmental Projects Receive Funds

-06-2003

Over $45,000 has been donated back to marine mammal research from the Auckland based Whale & Dolphin Adoption Project since its establishment in 1998. More

3/6/03 Toxin causes shellfish ban

-06-2003

A potentially deadly toxin has:forced the closure of New Zealand's entire Hawkes Bay coast to shellfish gathering. More

2/6/03 Company fined after diver gets the bends

-06-2003

Court: employer failed to ensure safety
A diving company has been fined more than $13,000 in the Auckland District Court after one of its divers got the bends while working in the Rangitoto Channel. More

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