There was also an explosion in the number of people heading for New Zealand beaches to dig toheroa for themselves. In the 1920s, the daily limit on toheroa was 50 per person, and the shellfish could be taken for 10 months of the year. From the 1950s, as toheroa numbers dwindled, authorities still allowed an open season of two months, but reduced the individual limit to 20 per day. On one weekend in 1966, an estimated 50,000 people poured onto Ripiro Beach like a hungry whirlwind, pulling an estimated one million toheroa from its sands.
top of page
bottom of page
The toheroa harvesting boom in New Zealand really highlights how human activity can impact marine ecosystems over time. It's fascinating yet concerning how a single weekend in 1966 saw a million toheroa taken from the sands! This reminds me of how responsible tourism is crucial when visiting natural beach destinations worldwide. For those who love exploring beautiful coastlines, you might also be interested in checking out some of the Best Beaches in Japan, which offer stunning landscapes and unique coastal experiences.