Tomahawk Lagoon is a water way of significant ecological and recreational value to the wider Otago coastal community. Little information exists on the ecological health of the lagoon (status or trends), which is a DoC reserve and host to wildlife including fish and birds.The project addresses the community concerns over historical and recent nutrient discharges and related frequent algal blooms and the paucity of regular water quality monitoring.
This project is establishing a Tomahawk Lagoon Health team to survey the water quality of the upper (northern) Tomahawk Lagoon over a 12 month period and investigate how, through monitoring of the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the ecosystem, the environmental health of the lagoon can be assessed by the community. This monitoring programme is designed to facilitate long term data collection, and support committed community partnerships.
Partners
John McGlashan College, Bayfield High School, Tahuna Normal intermediate, Andrew Innes (OCEMES founder and retired Head of Science at JMC), Daniel Jack (DOC Ranger), Dr Jonathan Kim (Healthy Harbour Watchers), Dr Dean Olsen Water Resource Scientist. (ORC Water Resource Scientist), Dr Marc Schallenberg/Zoology Dept (Research Fellow, Zoology Department, University of Otago).