Source: NIWA
Ship anchors may cause extensive and long-lasting damage to the seafloor, according to new NIWA research.
NIWA anchored their research vessel in Wellington Harbour and observed in real-time how its anchor changed the surrounding environment.
Study leader NIWA geophysicist Dr Sally Watson says they saw broomstick-like scarring on the seabed.
“Our preliminary findings showed marks on the seabed typical of an anchor being moved around due to wind and currents. The damage caused is often compared to that of trawling, but anchoring differs in that it t
