Thousands of pipi washed up dead in March this year.
Thousands of pipi washed up dead in March this year.
Northland hapū have shared their “grave concerns” after an investigation into thousands of dead pipi at a popular shellfish-gathering spot at Whangārei Heads remains inconclusive.
“I think there needs to be a thorough analysis of what’s happening in the awa,” said kaitiaki Dr Arvay Armstrong-Read after an MPI investigation into the deaths did not find a specific cause.
Representing Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari Hapū Iwi Trust, Armstrong-Read expressed “grave” concerns for the wellbeing of the awa which was considered a taonga and bore cultural significance for their tribe.
On March 8, residents near the Pataua awa reported a strong smell coming from the river. They soon discovered thousands of dead and dying pipi 300m north of a bridge.
His team’s investigation confirmed their observation after test results on cockles’ digestive system showed signs of being impacted by possible “environmental factors.”
Taylor noted there was a higher likelihood of observing such mortalities in the summer months as shellfish were known to spawn then.
He explained that spawning was a highly strenuous event and potentially made them vulnerable to the changes in the environment.
As well, changes in seawater temperature or changes to nutrient availability could directly affect shellfish health through thermal stress and food availability, he said.
Dr Mike Taylor says it's important that MPI continue to investigate mortality events so that exotic or emerging diseases can be ruled out.
PICTURE/Michael Cunningham
“Indirectly, these types of changes can result in sudden algal blooms which may also impact their health.”
Climate change could result in extreme weather events like storms, heavy rainfall and marine heatwaves.
“All these factors in combination can impact vulnerable shellfish populations,” Taylor said.
Armstrong-Read agreed.
She said a huge number of people visiting the area during summer was also a worry as any slight changes in the environment could affect the molluscs.
“Then we are aware of other factors like runoffs from farms, homes, high sedimentation. It’s a combination of things.
“What’s troublesome is that when these things happen our whānau who rely on the kaimoana as a source of survival are the most affected.”
MPI confirmed that the recent mortality involved factors that cannot be readily prevented from occurring in the future.
The kaitiaki said that based on the recent developments their hapū was in the process of formulating a monitoring plan that they intend to carry out later this year.
“The idea is to use localised knowledge of our whanau living there to keep a check on the quality of pipi from time to time.
“And for our mahi to work effectively we do need to be resourced, something we don’t have in abundance.”
MPI has offered training workshops to better understand such events. And how to collect viable samples and work together to develop a process for reporting such events in the future, Taylor said.
Avneesh Vincent is the crime and emergency services reporter at the Northern Advocate. He was previously at the Gisborne Herald as the arts and environment reporter and is passionate about covering stories that can make a difference. He joined NZME in July 2023.
