Estuaries

Estuaries form at the mouths of some rivers and streams where they meet the sea. They contain a mixture of fresh and salt water that is exchanged with each tidal cycle.

Estuaries are not just mudflats but are very important and highly productive ecosystems. They are home to a wide range of plants and animals (such as birds, fish and shellfish) that use them as feeding, spawning and nursery habitats. Estuaries are one of the most sensitive coastal places and are very sensitive to changes.

One of the most important ways to look after our estuaries is to use good land management in their catchments. Good land management reduces runoff and leaching of nutrients and minimises erosion. Reduced erosion means less sediment and infilling in our estuaries.

The Wairau Lagoon, Pelorus River and Whangarae Inlet estuaries are the largest in Marlborough.