This week Al travels to Fiordland's Doubtful Sound, known for its pristine beauty and amazing wildlife. Al enters the Sound from the Tasman Sea on board Department of Conservation's Southern Winds with skipper and long time crayfisherman Mark Peychers. Mark helped set up the Fiordland Marine Guardians in 1995 to protect this unique marine environment and having spent most of his working life in Fiordland, he knows it like the back of his hand.
On their way into the Sound they pull up a couple of crays before stopping off at Secretary Island. Here Al meets Peter McMurtrie, field manager for DOC's pest eradication programme to rid the island of red deer and stoats and provide a sanctuary for endangered birds. After checking a few traps, Al and Pete rejoin Mark for a lunch of Crayfish Omelettes with Tomato Coriander Salsa and Cumin Sour Cream.
Al's next ride is further up the sound at Crooked Arm with dolphin researcher Shaun Henderson. Doubtful Sound is home to one of the southernmost populations of Bottlenose Dolphins in the world, and the pod of just 52 individuals appears to be in decline. Shaun is passionate about these dolphins and travels to Doubtful Sound every month to track down and observe the behaviour of the pod.
Both above and below the water, Doubtful Sound is renowned for it incredible marine environment and Al takes a closer look with diver and DOC officer Kath Blakemore who is carrying out an ongoing underwater survey of the area.
After forty odd k's through some of New Zealand's most spectacular coastline the end is in sight. Al's final leg of this journey is on board the beautiful ketch Breaksea Girl. Ruth Dalley and Lance Shaw have been running eco-tours out of Doubtful Sound for the past 16 years, and before hopping off at Deep Cove, they take Al to visit some of the Sound's permanent residents, the Fiordland Crested penguins.
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Ready to Watch Coasters, Season 1, Episode 4?