The Fish Forever screening of the New Zealand documentary The Last Ocean was a great success. Over 200 people attended the event, held on Thursday 31st January downstairs at the Turner Centre in Kerikeri. Read on to find out how you can support both local and global marine protection initiatives.

In the July this year there will be a final attempt to bring together 25 countries to agree a huge marine protection area for the Ross Sea. Next week, Fish Forever will host a screening of The Last Ocean, an award-winning documentary that portrays the beauty and special ecological value of this region. Fish Forever’s purpose is to promote awareness about a similar cause closer to home: protection of our own resources and the biodiversity within the Bay of Islands.

Fish Forever is delighted that the Rahui in Maunganui Bay (Deepwater Cove) is to continue for at least another two years. Hapu Ngati Kuta and Patukeha of the eastern Bay of Islands have successfully petitioned the government for an extension to the Rahui. Roll-over of the Rahui at Maunganui Bay was recently announced by the Ministry of Primary Industries. It will be illegal to harvest any seafood, apart from kina, until 1 December 2014.

Two weeks ago, on a Friday evening, we took over Treaty Room 1 at the Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands for the Bay of Island Maritime Park AGM. Thank you all those who attended, who renewed their memberships, who shared kai with us and who were lucky enough to hear Dr Jeremy Gibbs inspiring present on the Geology and Physical Oceanography around Okahu, Waewaetorea and Urapukapuka Islands. You can read an excellent report on his presentation here, as published in the Bay Chronicle last week.

Aerial, underwater and land based Images of the Bay of Islands taken by Lara Kay Photography, Pahia Dive, Roger Grace and Dean Wright Photography.

We are delighted to announce that John Booth, one of our most dedicated volunteers, has recently received a prestigious award - the New Zealand Marine Science Society's Award in recognition of continued outstanding contribution to marine science in New Zealand.

This sunny event came at the end of a ten-day research trip which saw scientists Dr Roger Grace and Vince Kerr exploring underwater areas that were flagged as popular spots for potential marine reserve candidate sites in the community survey Fish Forever has conducted over the past year.

Nga Moemoea o Tangaroa by John Booth, Resident, Eastern Bay of Islands

"Both the community preference and the science analysis said it all. The islands of Ipipiri, together with adjacent waters, are precious and popular parts of the Bay when it comes to the undersea. And parts of this area tick all the boxes when considering sites for long-term protection—including marine reserves.