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Molyneux Bay Swamp
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Molyneux Bay Swamp
Description: A moderately large rush and sedge swamp area near the mouth of the Clutha River/Mata-Au. 1
Type/Class: Swamp. 2
Size: 149.9 ha.
Altitude: 0 – 20 m above sea level.
Approximate location: East of the intersection of Kaka Point Road and Port Molyneux Road, Kaka Point | NZTM (centre point): E1353000 N4861400.
Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.109, Map F37.
Territorial Authority: Clutha District Council.
Interactive map of Molyneux Bay Swamp
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| A4 | High degree of wetland naturalness. 2 |
| A5 | Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Less than 15% of swamps remain in Otago. 2 |
| A8 | Regionally significant wetland habitat for waterfowl. Regionally significant habitat for waterfowl (New Zealand shoveller/Kuruwhengi (Anas rhynchotis variegata) and Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)), wading birds (Pied Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), Godwits, Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae)) and swamp birds (Swamp hen/Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus), Bitterns, Marsh Crake (Porzana pusilla affinis) and Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis plumbea)). South Island Fernbird/Matata (Bowdleria punctata punctata) also present. 1 |
| A1 - A3, A6, A7 - A9 | No relevant information is currently held by the ORC. |
- Administered by the Department of Conservation as the Puerua Wildlife Management Reserve. 1
- Also called Port Molyneux in the Clutha District Plan, where it is listed as a Significant Wetland. Described as a coastal spit of unconsolidated sand, which has caused the Clutha River/Mata-Au to change its course. 37
- Supports a wide diversity of fish species including giant bullies, black flounder (Rhombosolea retiaria), yellow-eyed mullet/aua (Aldrichetta forsteri), kahawai (Arripis sp.), brown trout (Salmo trutta), common smelt (Retropinna retropinna), Whitebait/Inanga (Galaxias spp.), giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus), longfin eel/kuuwharuwharu (Anguilla dieffenbachii), shortfin eel/hao (Anguilla australis) and perch. It also has recreational fisheries for whitebait/inanga (Galaxias spp.) and black flounder (Rhombosolea retiaria), and may be important for juvenile salmon rearing. 53
1 Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.
2 Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.
37 Clutha District Council (1998) Clutha District Plan. Published by the Clutha District Council, Balclutha.
51 Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive.
53 Davis, S.F. (1987) Wetlands of national importance to fisheries. New Zealand freshwater fisheries report no. 90. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Christchurch.
