Media Release
22 August 2013

Web Camera provides images of Waituna Lagoon

A web camera recently installed at Waituna Lagoon is providing scientists with regularly updated images of Walker’s Bay, where the lagoon was opened to the sea in late July.

Aquatic Ecologist, Dr Andy Hicks said the main benefit of the web camera was to help monitor the lagoon’s opening and closing processes, and to help with the long-term monitoring of environmental conditions in the lagoon.

“The camera provides us with a bird’s-eye view of the lagoon, and will help in the early identification of ecological threats such as algal blooms,” he said.

Setting up the camera was a challenge as it had to be remotely activated. Although there have been occasional issues mostly related to the weather, Environment Southland technical staff have now resolved them.

Dr Hicks said the images taken by the camera would be useful for a variety of additional purposes. Recreational boaters would be able to check if lake conditions are suitable for boating, and if the images prove clear enough, the web camera could even be used for monitoring local bird populations.

For more information, and to see the latest webcam image of Waituna Lagoon, go to www.es.govt.nz.

ENDS

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