10. Ranfurly Bank
Map ID Number: 10
Location: Ranfurly Bank is located on the continental shelf, 17km east-north-east of East Cape.
Approximate area: 17,437km2
Description of area:
The Bank rises from about 130m depth to a minimum of 25m and is bathed by the East Cape Current as it sweeps around the cape on its southward passage along the North Island margin. This stong flow, together with the tides, is liable to inhibit accumulation of muddy sediment discharged from the nearby Waiapu River – by far New Zealand’s largest river in terms of sediment discharge (L. Carter, personal communication, 2004).
Biological attributes:
Sampling undertaken so far has revealed unusual/unexpected distributions. Observations of this area indicate that there are endemic species of algae. For example, Adamsiella lorata is known only from Lottin Point and A. melchior is known only from the Three Kings Islands.
Criteria applied:
Endemism.
Status and management:
Not recorded during the workshop
State of information:
Collections that have been made to date are few. The area warrants closer attention and a well-structured sampling programme.
References and further reading:
Phillips (2002).