New Zealand council maps seafloor to assess biodiversity and environmental impacts in Te Hoiere/Pelorus Sound.

The Marlborough District Council in New Zealand is using the research vessel Ikatere to map the seafloor of Te Hoiere/Pelorus Sound, aiming to assess its biodiversity. This survey will help manage the marine environment, identify important habitats, and understand changes over time. Funded by the Council and managed with support from DOC, Fisheries New Zealand, and local iwi Ngāti Kuia and Ngāti Koata, the findings will also examine how land use affects the seafloor, including erosion and sedimentation impacts.