Usually a guided trip into the Abel Tasman would be ringing with overseas accents, but the recent Community Based Guided Snorkel Experience at Tonga Island Marine Reserve was much more of a local affair.
The trip was organised by Tasman Bay Guardians, who took 65 people, from seven to 75 years old into the Park. The TBG guides and team helped snorkellers to spot blue cod, spotties, wrasse, big red mokies, a tiny seahorse, goatfish, triple fins and eagle rays.
“Events like these bring communities together to connect with each other and te taiao, sparking curisosity and awe through the first hand experiences in marine reserves, which leads to a natural sense of kaitiakitanga and responsibility for protecting our environment” Says event facilitator, team member Thalassa Kawachi. For many people it is the first time they had accessed the marine reserve, which is about hal;f way along the the Abel Tasman National Park. Some participants have never snorkelled before, and others were not confident swimmers, but hte trip was enough to ingnite or renew a passion for the activity among many in the group.
There were also some down-time to explore the bush or relax on the beach at Tonga Quarry. Partcipants were encouraged to work with the TBG team to examine the health of a nearby stream, looking at water clarity, flow and macro-invertebrates or bugs.
Treena Shee, took her mokopuna, Cooper to the event, for what was the seven year olds first snorkelling adventure. ” He clutched onto the board for dear life to begin with, but ny the end you’d think he was a seal” she said. There was another lady who said she wanted to be able to touch the ground at all times, but she ended up being fine. It was amazing to see the confidence grow. Mana whenua from Te āwhina Marae were also invited to participate and share local stories.
