Abstract: The population size of cockles in the intertidal zone of Pāuatahanui Inlet shows a recovery since 2016. The consistently high percentages of juvenile cockles since 2004 suggest successful settlement of larvae and good survival of spat, or potentially some immigration of juvenile cockles from subtidal areas. The high percentage of cockles above spawning size (larger than 18 mm in length) should maintain larval production in the Pāuatahanui Inlet. Deteriorating environmental conditions in Pāuatahanui Inlet, particularly the increase in terrestrial sediments considered deleterious to cockles, do not appear to have affected the intertidal cockle population as a whole; however, localised effects are evident.

Reference: Michael K. 2023. Community survey of cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) in Pāuatahanui Inlet, Wellington, November 2022. NIWA Report 2023127WN, prepared for GOPI, April 2023. 61p.

Author: Keith Michael. NIWA