Fabulous Fiordland

An interactive guide to the marine biota of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Fabulous Fiordland is a fully illustrated e-guide to many of the commonly encountered shallow-water marine invertebrates and algae in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area of New Zealand, prepared in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Marine Guardians.

Light penetration in the fiords is reduced by a layer of tannin-stained freshwater that can be over 10 m deep at times. These dark (but shallow) waters mimic deep-water habitats. This low light supports an ‘emergent’ fauna that normally lives in the deep: black and red corals, sea pens, fan hydroids and glass sponges create the spectacular underwater scenery revered by divers the world over.

Now you can identify the denizens of Fiordland with this fully illustrated interactive guide, packed with high-quality images of the animals and seaweeds in life. New species pages are added as they are available so we welcome your underwater photographs as these may assist with our ongoing mission to provide a more fabulous Fiordland e-guide!