Community-Based Intertidal Monitoring & Marine Ecology
Supporting Healthy Cockle Beds & Mussel Reefs Across Te Tau Ihu
Tasman Bay Guardians supports community groups, schools, iwi, landowners, and agencies to monitor the health of intertidal cockle beds and mussel reefs across Te Tau Ihu.
Using simple, scientifically robust field methods, we can help quantify shellfish abundance, size classes, density, and habitat condition over time. Monitoring can include quadrat sampling, transects, shellfish measurements, photo monitoring, habitat mapping, and community-led data collection.
These programmes help communities better understand the health of their coastal ecosystems, track changes over time, and support restoration, education, kaitiakitanga, and informed decision-making.

Monitoring programmes can be tailored to suit:
- Community groups and catchment groups
- Schools and education programmes
- Restoration and stewardship projects
- Baseline ecological assessments
- Citizen science initiatives
- Long-term coastal monitoring

Interested in monitor the health of intertidal cockle beds and mussel reefs?
Whether you are interested in understanding local shellfish populations, monitoring reef health, or engaging your community in marine science, we can help design and deliver a programme to suit your needs.
Get in touch with Tasman Bay Guardians to discuss your site, project, or ideas. We’re happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction.