Marlborough Sounds

[3] The steep, wooded hills and small quiet bays of the sounds are sparsely populated, as access is difficult.

The main small-boat port, Waikawa, is one of New Zealand's largest and provides a base for leisure sailors and vacationers.

The Sounds are home to the entire breeding population of the rare and vulnerable rough-faced shag (also known as the New Zealand king cormorant) which nests on a small number of rocky islets there.

[5] However, the wakes caused by fast catamaran vehicular ferry services to the North Island have allegedly damaged farms and destroyed crab grounds.

They were also blamed for stripping the local beaches bare of sand, and damaging landings and other facilities built close to the water's edge.

This resulted in a dispute heard in the New Zealand Environment Court in the early 1990s, brought forward by the 'Guardians of the Sounds' group.

The protest was intended to call attention to what they allege is the Ministry of Fisheries ignoring the detrimental effect of the practice.

Cook Strait, however, is infamous for its strong currents and rough waters, especially when the wind is from the south or north.