Key Biodiversity Areas

Aramoana Otago Harbour (44618)
New Zealand, Australasia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1cD1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Aramoana Otago Harbour
Central coordinates: Latitude: -45.7870, Longitude: 170.7175
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 220
Area of KBA (km2): 0.19226
Protected area coverage (%): 24.23
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: IBA Trigger species: Yellow-eyed penguin, Stewart Island Shag*, Black-fronted Tern, White-fronted Tern *No count. Stewart Island Shags (VU) will forage fairly close to shore (i.e. within IBA boundaries) around high tide. They also move in and out of the harbour to their colony at Taiaroa Head. Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: White-faced Heron, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Paradise Shelduck, NZ Shoveler, Mallard, Grey Teal, Australasian Harrier, Pukeko, Variable Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, Caspian Tern, Rock Pigeon, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird, Hedge Sparrow, Skylark, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling. Other species recorded: Australasian Crested Grebe, Australasian Gannet, Black Shag, Little Shag, White Heron, Royal Spoonbill, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Golden Plover, Eastern Bar-tailed Godwit, Antarctic Tern, Eastern Rosel-

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal32
Introduced Vegetation5
Shrubland32
Marine Intertidal32

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance – Yes - Set nets and other fishing activity Predation by alien species – Yes - Dogs, cats, stoats, ferrets and rats Habitat loss or degradation – No Contamination – Yes Natural disaster – No Other – No