April

Sea surface temperatures are between 14°C. and 16°C. but may fall to 12°C. by the end of the month. Plankton volume is about 50cc. Large numbers of Obelia geniculata medusae and to a lesser extent Pleurobrachia pileus are together responsible for this increase. Phialella quadrata and Thalia democratica are recorded, but usually in small numbers. Fish eggs are abundant, but fish larvae are still rare. Twenty-two larval decapod species were found in April, with Petrolisthes novaezelandiae and Paguridae still the most common of these.