7. Eastern Stewert Island
Map ID Number: 7
Location: Stewert Island
Approximate area: 2,925km2
Description of area:
Deeply indented bays and harbours, exposed rocky coastlines, and offshore islands. Pristine inlets and estuaries with large sea grass (Zostera sp.) and red algal (Lenormandia chauvini) beds.
Biological attributes:
Eastern Stewart Island has sand-dwelling fish species such as sand divers (Tewara cranwellae, Limnichthys spp.), and high population densities of blue cod (Parapercis colias), butterfish (Odax pullus), wrasses, blue moki (Latridopsis ciliaris), trumpeter (Latris lineata), and southern pigfish (Congiopodus leucopaecilus). Estuary headwaters have abundant galaxiids and smelt (Retropinna retropinna). Paterson Inlet, and possibly the other large inlets along the eastern side, appear to be important nursery areas for trumpeter – large schools of juveniles are a feature of rocky reefs inside the inlet.
Criteria applied:
Representation (i.e. across physical types); extremities of range and adaptation to environment; habitat complexity/diversity; meeting ground – overlap between biological regions (at national and global regions level).
Status and management:
There is a low level of exploitation on this part of the island, with “pristine” unmodified catchments at the head of estuaries. A marine reserve and a mataitai have been declared in Paterson Inlet.
State of information:
Some fish survey work has been done in estuaries and coastal waters.
References and further reading:
Francis (1996).