Northland College students take a hands-on look at Marine Reserves.

Northland College marine biology class joined the Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) programme in 2005 to investigate marine biodiversity, local marine environments (unprotected) and the fully protected marine reserve at Goat Island (Leigh) recently.

The aim was to experience the marine reserve first hand, and form their own opinions about marine conservation. After the marine reserve experience, students are encouraged to put their knowledge to action within the community to generate more marine conservation awareness. The student's action was to design a flyer, make a presentation and invite marine experts to talk. On Thursday evening the 1st December, photojournalist Tony & Jenny Enderby, based at Leigh, used their extensive photographic collection to explain their experiences with marine reserves at the Northland College School Hall.

"At Goat Island , rock areas that used to be covered with kina, are now a healthy kelp forest, due to an increase in size and abundance of the Kina's predators (large snapper and crayfish) after full protection from fishing. The kelp forests have now become a habitat for other fish" Mr Enderby said.

Mr Enderby also said that "Marine life that was common among old timer's stories, are now abundant once more in the marine reserve".

Mr Enderby believes in small pockets of no take marine reserves around New Zealand , to preserve marine life for now and the future, he wants his grandson's grandson to be able to catch fish and see fish too!"

"The best thing about the programme is that the students get to see marine life with their own eyes- instead of in books or videos" says Miss King, teacher of the marine biology class.

Dive Tutukaka sponsor the Poor Knights competition trip for one student from each of the Northland schools participating in the EMR programme each year, congratulations to Jonathon Taylor who won a place on the trip for Northland College .