1. Kermadec Ridge
Map ID Number: 1
Location: Ridge extends north from New Zealand’s North Island
Approximate area: 197,998 km2 The Kermadec Ridge is composed of a string of volcanoes and vents, with associated bacteria and other components. Some of the volcanoes breach the summit to form four island groups, the Kermadec Islands. The area is flanked by the Kermadec Trench to the east (10km deep) and the South Fiji Basin to the west (4 km deep). The Kermadec Ridge is New Zealand’s window
into the marine fauna of the Indo-Pacific
in that it is the southernmost limit for many
taxa. Marine invertebrates found on the ridge
include brachiopods, corals, and sponges.
The rocky reef fauna and macroalgal fl ora of
the Kermadecs are distinct from that of the
rest of New Zealand. Species diversity; species richness; endemism;
representation; extremities of range
(southern limit of some tropical taxa); meeting
ground; links to global patterns. In 1990 a marine reserve was established
around the Kermadec Islands, extending 12 nautical miles (22km) from each island
group. Benthic fisheries are severely constrained
in some parts of this area by nominal
catch limits and special permit access
provisions. Information for the Kermadecs is patchy.
Some major taxa have been thoroughly studied;
others have been little studied or not all.
There is no information on bottom habitats
beyond those at shallow diveable depths.
Some bottom photographs exist for deeper
habitats. Brook (1999), Cole et al. (1992), Gordon
(1984), Nelson and Adams (1984), Schiel
et al. (1986).
Description of area:
Biological attributes:
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Status and management:
State of information:
References and further reading:
