Hundreds of individuals in Northland united at Te Ākau Bream Bay’s pristine waters and sandy shores this past Sunday to voice their opposition to a proposed expedited sand mining venture. The protest, symbolized by a flotilla of over 50 watercraft spanning from Whangārei Heads to Langs Beach, aimed to challenge the intended extraction of nearly 8.5 million cubic meters of sand over the next three and a half decades. Spearheaded by Auckland-based company McCallum Brothers, the contentious operation has sparked concerns among local residents and environmental advocates regarding its potentially irreversible impact on the seafloor, wildlife, and coastline.
Mary Sinclair, a prominent figure from Save Bream Bay Sand, reflected on the resounding success of the demonstration, emphasizing the unity it fostered among various affected communities. Sinclair, who has frequented Langs Beach for over seven decades, underscored the unprecedented camaraderie that has emerged in light of the impending threat posed by the mining project. She noted, “The energy is really, really apparent, nobody is going to give up on this process, we are here for the duration and will take all the steps we can to protect Bream Bay as it is. If you were on the water today you would have been amazed at the connections that were being made and what people were saying to each other, the community is getting into gear and we won’t stop.”
The fervent opposition to sand mining at Te Ākau Bream Bay gained momentum following the submission of a petition featuring 14,000 signatures to Green MP Hūhana Lyndon. Situated five kilometers offshore from Waipū, Langs, Uretiti, and Ruakākā beaches, the proposed mining site stands as a critical habitat for diverse marine life, including endangered species like the tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern) and hawksbill turtles. Sinclair expressed apprehension regarding the potential repercussions on the local scallop population, highlighting the cascading effects on the broader ecosystem. She cautioned, “When you lose the scallops on the sea floor and lose other sea life on the sea floor then your fish start suffering, the fish have the food they need to grow and they’ll disappear.”
In addition to ecological concerns, Sinclair shed light on the broader implications of sand mining on Bream Bay’s intricate sand system and surrounding environment. She elucidated, “If you look at the ecological impact here they will have an impact on every part of that going forward, particularly if it’s for the next 35 years.” Advocating for the exploration of alternative sand sources, she emphasized the diminishing global trend of seabed mining due to its detrimental environmental footprint. Sinclair urged McCallum Bros to consider sustainable sand extraction methods that align with conservation efforts and economic growth.
As the fervor against fast-tracked sand mining in Northland continues to mount, the impassioned voices of local residents, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens resound in unison, echoing a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the region’s natural heritage. The battle to preserve the pristine shores of Te Ākau Bream Bay stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring harmony between conservation and progress, underscoring the collective responsibility to nurture and protect our fragile ecosystems for generations to come.