b'NewsOkuma Helps Gulf GuardiansOKUMA NZ SUPPORTS OCEAN REGENERATION EFFORTFor every purchase of any Okuma product, Okuma will donate mussels back into the ocean and help fund the sustainable restoration of our ocean.Gulf Guardians Philanthropy Director, Tim Kay, says that below the surface, the health of Tkapa Moana is seriously declining, and urgent action is required to restore its health.Over the decades, the urbanisation of the Tkapa Moana catchment area, farming, fishing practices and climate change have all taken their toll."We are delighted to have Okuma on board to help us on our mission to regenerate the Hauraki Gulf. We hope this partnership will inspire New Zealanders who care about the gulf to take action.A single musselGulf Guardians is a purpose-driven can filter up to twofund powered by Auckland Foundation, bathtubs of seawatersupporting the vital work being done a day to support theto regenerate the health of the Hauraki Gulfs ecosystem.BELOW: HelpingGulf. Grants from the Gulf Guardians regenerate the HaurakiFund target the highest impact areas, Gulf by seedingincluding mussel beds and wetlands mussels will benefit ourrestoration.FIGZfuture generations.Okuma New Zealandbearded molluscstheyre underwater eco-vacuums that stabilise the seafloor, is partnering with Gulfcreate a food source and support a Guardians to help regeneratethriving ecosystem. A simple mussel can single-handedly filter up to two bathtubs the Hauraki Gulf by puttingof water a day.mussels back into the ocean. Okuma New Zealand Managing T he once abundant Hauraki GulfDirector - Tom Johanson commented that as fishing equipment company they is on the brink of collapse andwant to be a key part of the solution to the Gulf Guardians Fund hasregenerate our ocean.been set up by the AucklandTime is running out, and if we want Foundation to support vitalfuture generations of Kiwis to enjoy work being done to regenerate thefish abundance and a healthy marine health of the Hauraki Gulf. environment, we need to act now.By donating 100 tonnes of musselsOur goal is to leverage our platform towards shellfish restorationto educate the fishing community about programmes, Okuma is allowingwhat\'s happening beneath the surface vulnerable species underwater a secondand what we can do collectively to help chance.Mussels are more than salty,turn the tide.48FISHING IN GODZONE JAN/FEB 2023'