Visitors: Josie Cranshaw, Sam Uffindell
Birthdays: nil
Rotary Anniversaries: nil
President Elect
Lynda Burch conducted the meeting as Chris Dever had suffered a puncture (to his car tyre).
Lynda thanked the kaitiaki for the excellent organisation of the 25th Anniversary celebration and Henry for the movie night, the proceeds of which supported heart care for kids.
Guest Speaker Dr Josie Cranshaw, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Scientist
Josie was introduced by Nathan, as a scientist who grew up at an oyster farm in Ohope and earned a PhD in estuarine sediment studies.
The topic of Josie’s presentation was sea grass which, although it looks like a marine algae, is more related to grass, both having roots and needing light for photosynthesis. It is a nursery habitat for commercial fish species. When exposed it seems flat but once the tide comes in it stands up and acts as a protection zone for small creatures. It can also accumulate and stabilize sediments, thereby reducing erosion. Sea grass takes up nutrients, creates biomass and stores nutrients in sediments. It has a role in carbon sequestration, thereby reducing carbon.
Aerial photography shows sea grass in decline. The Maketu sea grass is largely gone. New satellite technology collects information which trains computers to map the grass.
The reasons why sea grass beds are declining are complicated. A core issue is managing sediment runoff which reduces photosyntheticable (editor’s made-up word to check who reads) light. Nutrient runoff can also lead to sea lettuce bloom which smothers the sea grass. Neptune’s necklace can also cover the grass. Canadian geese and swans like to eat sea grass roots. Mechanical damage can also occur from swing moorings, anchor dragging and driving over the beds.
The good news is that restoration is possible, but we still need to sort out the original cause first. Patches are returning after the Kaituna river work. Active re-seeding and transplant can also assist.
What can we do to play our part?
Reduce single use plastics
Don’t tip stuff into drains and storm-water
Try to prevent erosion
Don’t anchor is sea grass beds
Contact the pollution hotline, if you spot pollution
Work at the Kopuererua Valley is supporting sea grass
Sea grass plotter app where observations can be uploaded
Speaker Thanks
Michele attempted to thank Josie for an interesting and informative presentation.
Next meeting Friday 3rd June will be held at the BOP Youth Development Trust 135 Thirteenth Ave @ 7am
25th Anniversary Dinner Evening Thanks
Mary wishes to thank Pat Taylor as chief co coordinator, Ray Scott and Simon Beaton. Also Steve Dorrington and Greg Brownless for Oscar winning performances but don’t give up your day jobs just yet.
All of the Kaitiaki and partners who helped with planning, attending meetings, setting up the room with decorations and memorabilia and Maria Fenton who was a volunteer from the start. And the Tauranga Club for their efforts and support. Glenn Dougal for design and print of invitations and programmes, and Warren Banks for calligraphy. Neil Matson for memorabilia.
From the editor, Mary played a big part in the organisation so thanks to her as well.
Changeover Lunch 18 June
Saturday 18 June at Harbourside Restaurant 11.30am for 12 noon lunch
Cost: $60 each. Payment details are:
Bank: 06 – 0433 - 0182233-02
Account Name: Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise
When making payment please put “Changeover” in the particulars field and your name in the reference field.
Aongatete Visit
Michele successfully thanked those who attended. Another visit will be organised
Kopurererua Valley Planting
9 July
Auction items
Sought for September please
Vanuatu
Lynda has enough haberdashery and fabric for the Vanuatu project. The container will be packed on Saturday 4 June.
Missing wrought iron easels
Any idea of where these might be, following Treasured Art, is appreciated.
Please note easels, not weasels.
Sergeant David McConnochie
David opened by recognizing that May 27th was National Don’t Fry Day and National Road-trip Day.
Also the ballpoint pen was invented in 1947.
He then donned a pair of very cool Aviator dark glasses and asked questions relating to the Top Gun movie. Apparently Val Kilmer played Ice man which your editor initially mis-recorded as ass but fortunately researched properly before committing to print. Goose and Viper were other answers. An RIO is a Radar Intercept Officer, knowledge of which could come in handy at some stage.
Our visitor Sam did very well answering the questions, rivaling some members. They came very close to demonstrating a misspent youth.
Parting thought: Dean Thompson
“What nicer thing can you do for someone than make them breakfast.” Anthony Bourdain