Appendix Two C Marine - Port Underwood Collective Characteristics: Mainly Sheltered Sheltered, turbid, shallow waters; extensive mud bottom with narrow cobble fringe; conspicuous marine life generally sparse; off-shore red algae beds; massive tube worm colonies. A. The Physical Environment 1. Form/Geology Dominated by extensive and uniform mud/silt habitat. A narrow (20-50m) cobble reef fringes much of the shore. Most of the Port is relatively shallow (<20m). 2. Dynamic Features and Processes, Including Climate Relatively sheltered, especially from ocean swells to the south. 3. Water Turbid waters and high sedimentation levels. Moderate currents in the outer regions of the Port. Generally sheltered from ocean swells. B. The Biological Environment Distinctive Biota, Communities and Habitats Natural Biodiversity, Productivity and Biotic Patterns Generally low diversity and abundance of conspicuous macro organisms on mud habitat, though off-shore red algae beds are a key feature in some bays. Macroystis pyrifera and Ecklonia radiata are the predominant seaweed species near-shore. Enormous tube worm mounds (Galeolaria hystrix) at two headlands along the south-eastern coast are notable features; these are by far the largest known colonies in Nelson and Marlborough. Port Underwood is also a rock lobster nursery and was historically a Southern Right Whale calving area. App Two - 65