Verona Sands - Ninepin Marine Reserve
NOFF is organising a beach rally and paddle out at Verona Sands, the nearest beach to the threatened Ninepins Marine Reserve. More details as the event nears, but watercraft should assemble at 10.30, the event starts at 11, please wear red or black (this helps make impressive photographs!), and as parking is limited, please car pool if you can.
Check back here for more information as we finalise speakers and other details.
Ninepins marine reserve, according to Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife, protects an unusual marine environment. The saltwater is overlain by tannin-rich freshwater from the nearby Huon River. The tea-coloured tannin layer restricts light penetration to the top few metres. This restricts light-loving brown and green algae to the very shallowest water. Many species normally only encountered in much deeper, darker waters – such as sea fans and sea whips, jackass morwong and red algae – are seen here in shallow water. Ninepin Point is one of the few places in the world where this phenomenon occurs. The reserve extends from the eastern end of Verona Sands Beach to approximately 1.8km south-west of the Gordon boat ramp, and out to sea approximately 400m south of Arch Rock.
They also say that the entire marine reserve is a fully protected 'no-take' area, where fishing and other extractive activities are prohibited. Yet the reserve and nearby residential areas are threatened by the planned expansion of salmon farming nearby, and (yet to be confirmed) decaying salmon flesh pollution after a recent mass mortality incident.