Opua School EMR programme 2008

Opua school is located in the Bay of Islands and is right next to the water. Many of the students in this community have a connection with the marine environment.

The immediate environment around Opua is very populated and being close to the water they have pollution issues from boats, sewage, stormwater and runoff. Upstream from Opua is the Waikere Inlet where many Oyster farms have lost their livelihoods due to sewage pollution, and downstream from Opua is the Bay of Islands which is host to many commercial maritime ventures including fishing and dive charters, dolphin watching, speedboat tours and tourism. The Bay of Islands is seen as a priority spot for marine conservation due to its high biodiversity values coupled with the huge amount of pressure placed on the environment and its inhabitants from people. Local support for marine conservation is slowly building, and the need for a marine reserve is increasing. The closest marine reserves are the distant Poor Knights Islands, which are only accessible by boat, and the Whangarei Harbour marine reserve (2.5 hour drive away) which was only established in 2006.

EMR is working to build support for marine conservation and raise awareness about the benefits of marine reserves in the Bay of Islands community.

After the Matauri Bay snorkel, Opua kids discussed the impacts humans were having on the area. They summarised that humans were causing degradation to the local marine environment through overfishing as well as land activities such as sewerage disposal and development. They went back to class and tried to come up with ways to minimise these impacts.

After the Matauri Bay snorkel, the Opua kids and their parents ventured down to the Goat Island marine reserve with EMR to experience NZ's oldest marine reserve – what a cool experience!! Huge Snapper and loads of Crayfish to be seen in the shallows – this really hit home how beneficial a marine reserve could be for students and parents alike. They were also treated to a presentation at the Omaha marae where they stayed, from Dr. Roger Grace about the benefits of no-take marine reserves.

Many of the students are now confident snorkellers and are passionate about marine life. They are aware of the concept of a marine reserve and many expressed the opinion that “marine reserves are the best place to go snorkeling and learn because the fish are not afraid of you and there's so much more to see”. This has continued and stimulated a conversation within their community about a resource that they all treasure.

Opua School informed their community about the benefits of marine reserves with a rap performed for the school and also about the impacts of stormwater pollution on their local marine area.

Opua School was involved in the Experiencing Marine Reserves programme in 2004 & 2006.

The highlight of Opua School 's involvement in the programme was their presentation evening to share marine reserve experiences with the community. Their skit was so impressive that EMR organised Opua School to present this skit to the Minister of Conservation at the opening event for the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve in 2006.