Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
Inventory of coastal areas of local or regional significance in the ...
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Sugar Loaf Islands Mar<strong>in</strong>e Protected Area<br />
Number: 27 GPS: 2598167E<br />
6237825N<br />
General description<br />
The area consists <strong>of</strong> five Islands and two rock groups (volcanic <strong>in</strong> <strong>or</strong>ig<strong>in</strong>) located <strong>of</strong>fsh<strong>or</strong>e<br />
from P<strong>or</strong>t Taranaki. The area <strong>in</strong>cludes underwater reefs, caves, platf<strong>or</strong>ms, boulders and<br />
ledges where n<strong>or</strong><strong>the</strong>rn warm currents and sou<strong>the</strong>rn cold currents mix. 2<br />
Location<br />
Off sh<strong>or</strong>e from P<strong>or</strong>t Taranaki.<br />
Land tenure<br />
Site: - Crown Land: Sugar Loaf Islands Conservation Park, Sugar Loaf Islands<br />
Sanctuary Area, and Sugar Loaf Islands Wildlife Refuge<br />
(adm<strong>in</strong>istered by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Conservation)<br />
Site access: - District Land: Paritutu Centennial Park, recreation reserves and<br />
Centennial Drive (adm<strong>in</strong>istered by <strong>the</strong> New Plymouth<br />
District Council)<br />
Values<br />
Amenity High - area <strong>of</strong> outstand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>coastal</strong> value, and <strong>regional</strong>ly imp<strong>or</strong>tant<br />
amenity values (Sugar Loaf Islands, and Back Beach) 1<br />
- significant <strong>coastal</strong> area, <strong>regional</strong>ly significant landscape, and<br />
outstand<strong>in</strong>g natural feature 3<br />
Recreational High - surf<strong>in</strong>g, swimm<strong>in</strong>g, div<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Cultural/ High - evidence <strong>of</strong> Ma<strong>or</strong>i occupation; Pa, island refuges, and several<br />
Hist<strong>or</strong>ical<br />
Ecological/<br />
Scientific<br />
2, 3<br />
archaeological sites <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> area<br />
1, 5<br />
High - oldest volcanic f<strong>or</strong>mations <strong>in</strong> Taranaki<br />
1, 2<br />
- diverse and abundant mar<strong>in</strong>e life and underwater habitats<br />
- imp<strong>or</strong>tant nest<strong>in</strong>g habitat f<strong>or</strong> many seabirds per year (Grey-<br />
2, 5<br />
faced petrel, Gull spp, white-fronted terns)<br />
- Moturoa and Motumahanga islands free <strong>of</strong> exotic predat<strong>or</strong>s 1<br />
- New Zealand fur seal breed<strong>in</strong>g ground (n<strong>or</strong><strong>the</strong>rnmost<br />
1, 2<br />
breed<strong>in</strong>g ground <strong>in</strong> NZ)<br />
- m<strong>in</strong>eral <strong>local</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> taranakite (phosphate m<strong>in</strong>eral associated<br />
1, 2<br />
with guano)<br />
- some scattered colonies <strong>of</strong> sp<strong>in</strong>ifex 5<br />
Public access<br />
Po<strong>or</strong> - Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> islands are sanctuaries and access onto <strong>the</strong> islands is by permit<br />
only. Inf<strong>or</strong>mation signs f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sugar Loaf Islands are located at <strong>the</strong> Lee<br />
Breakwater and Paritutu lookout. Access through <strong>the</strong> p<strong>or</strong>t to <strong>the</strong> Ma<strong>in</strong><br />
Breakwater is at <strong>the</strong> discretion <strong>of</strong> Westgate. Boat trips and kayak hire are<br />
available.<br />
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