I remember the first time I cruised into the little village of Akaroa, in the South Island of New Zealand. It was also the first time a modern cruise had called there.
We were on the Pacific Sun, and had been scheduled to make port at Lyttelton. However, it was February 2011, and a destructive earthquake had just hit Christchurch and destroyed the port, so a hasty reschedule had been made.
The people of Akaroa were as surprised as we were. The weather wasn't even nice, as you can see in the misty photo above. However, they coped gallantly, with very few resources. Since then, I have heard stories of passengers being stranded in town by a sudden storm, and being hosted in the local school -- and also stories of the great markets and agricultural shows that visitors have enjoyed. It has turned into a very popular destination.
The last time I cruised into the harbor, was earlier this year. I couldn't get over how the town had blossomed. Plenty of attractions, lots to do, and wonderful fish and chips. One cannot help but conclude that the cruise ship industry has done the town some good. And that the local businesses will be sorry when Lyttelton is up and running again.
However, there are environmental considerations.
Reported by Radio New Zealand.
More research is needed on the environmental impact of cruise ships in Akaroa Harbour, Canterbury regional harbourmaster Jim Dilley says.
Further research is needed to investigate whether cruise ship propellors and anchors are causing environmental harm in Akaroa Harbour, a report has found. Photo: Valeriy Tretyakov/ 123rf
An Environmental Risk Assessment report was commissioned by Environment Canterbury to address concerns from the Akaroa community that cruise ship operations could damage the seabed and degrade water quality.
"The preliminary findings are that any potential effects can be appropriately managed, but it does highlight that the available research is not sufficient to provide a definitive answer, and recommends further research be conducted," Mr Dilley said.
"Environment Canterbury will require the cruise industry to provide an independent scientific study during the next 24 months, which we believe will identify exactly what is taking place and will allow us to address any concerns."
Akaroa Harbour has "very high" ecological values, with rare Hector's dolphins, many threatened seabirds, a marine mammal sanctuary and several areas of outstanding or significant natural value, the report stated.
The harbourmaster's office and the cruise ship industry worked with community groups and Christchurch City Council to identify concerns and ensure risk mitigations are in place for the upcoming cruise season.
New Zealand Cruise Association chief executive Kevin O'Sullivan said the report indicated there were already adequate controls in place.
The number of cruise ships was likely to go down in Akaroa Harbour once repairs to Lyttelton's terminal were completed, Mr O'Sullivan said.
About 90 cruise ships visited Akaroa in the season between October 2018 and April this year, up from 75 the previous year.
Some locals said the small village was also struggling to cope with the massive influx of visitors, with as many as three cruise ships a day arriving at times.
Akaroa is home to about 600 people, but its population increases by 4000 during the peak of the cruise season.
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