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A multi-year project investigating damage done to the sea floor caused by ship anchors, has found the destruction is more extensive than first thought.
Previous mapping of the Wellington Harbour shows anchor scars are preserved for about 15 years.
And now recent mapping of the Bay of Islands shows the disturbance to the seafloor has spread further than where ships are supposed to be anchoring. The research compares maps of the seabed from 2025 and 2013. AUT senior lecturer Dr Marta Ribó is involved in the project.
Dr Ribó explains how harbour mapping shows anchor scars can last for decades, and the impact this has on marine life.
