Team in Action
Check back in periodically to find the latest on what our team has been up to.
AQFI421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, Akaroa, 2024
AQFI301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, Karitāne, 2024
Poroporoaki on the last day of the field course
AQFI301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, Moeraki, 2023
Students undertaking macroalgae surveys
Undaria Control Across the Ngāi Tahu Takiwā
Undaria sporophylls
Kōura (Red Rock Lobster) Surveys, Rakiura
Measuring sizes of kōura sampled by potting
Iongairo Summer Fieldwork, 2023
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The Department of Conservation vessel, Kahukura, travelling on the Akaroa harbour.
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The University of Otago Research Vessel, Tuhūra, undertaking drop camera surveys.
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Principal Investigator, Matt Desmond, ready to deploy the towed camera system.
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Collecting sediment samples around the Aquaculture farms in Akaroa harbour.
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Isla Twigg deploying the drop camera frame.
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Drop camera frame capturing a mixed red algal community on a rocky reef system.
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Kōura (red rock lobster, crayfish) and spotty captured in a Baited Remote Underwater frame.
The Department of Conservation vessel, Kahukura, travelling on the Akaroa harbour.
Ruapuke Pāua Scoping Trip, 2023
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Skipper Mark Elder attending to divers.
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Brendan Flack, Chris Hepburn, and Zayvier Parata undertaking pāua surveys.
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Jess Wenley and Kiri Parata heading back to the RV, Polaris II.
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Tim Howarth assessing seaweed assemblages.
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The RV, Polaris II.
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Ngāi Tahu Diver, Zayvier Smith, measuring pāua during a quadrat survey.
Skipper Mark Elder attending to divers.
Makaawhio Mātaitai Scoping Trip, 2023
Preparing for hobo logger deployment
AQFI301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, 2020
2020 Aquaculture and Fisheries field trip team
Pāua Translocations East Otago Taiāpure, 2020
February 2020
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Louise Bennett-Jones and Gaya Gnanalingam scouting sites to relocate pāua from within the East Otago Taiāpure.
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Louise Bennett-Jones and Gaya Gnanalingam scouting sites to relocate pāua from within the East Otago Taiāpure.
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Source population for pāua relocations within the East Otago Taiāpure.
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Gaya Gnanalingam placing the tagged pāua at one of the relocation sites within the East Otago Taiāpure.
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Tagged pāua at its new relocation site in the East Otago Taiāpure. Tagging allows pāua individuals to be identified, and have their growth rates measured.
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Finn Ryder, Maryann Wilson, Matthew Desmond, Gaya Gnanalingm, and Louise Bennett-Jones helping with day 1 of pāua translocations.
Louise Bennett-Jones and Gaya Gnanalingam scouting sites to relocate pāua from within the East Otago Taiāpure.
Fiordland and Stewart Island Research Trip, 2020
January 2020
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Research team who embarked on the 12 day research trip around Stewart Island and Fiordland.
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Black Coral, Antipathes fiordensis, are able to live shallower in Fiordland due to the brackish, dark waters.
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Kōura / Jasus edwardsii, hiding in the reef crevices.
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Matthew Desmond completing quadrat surveys along a transect line. These surveys help estimate habitat composition and provide baseline data for many studies.
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Tm Howarth investigating Undaria pinnatifida.
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Will Pinfold using videography to help record and identify seaweed assemblages in different habitats.
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Gaby Keeler-May discovering Undaria pinnatifida on an artificial structure in Fiordland.
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Large Eklonia radiata plant found by divers in one of the fjords.
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Processing EDNA samples in the Polaris II lab.
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The University of Otago research vessel, Polaris II, deploying the smaller vessel, Moki, to transport divers around the fjords.
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7- Gill shark sighted while diving.
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Paul collecting EDNA samples as part of his post doctorate research studies.
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Michael Heldsinger deploying a BRUV (baited remote underwater camera) as part of his masters studies, investigating whether marine reserves provide benefits for sharks in New Zealand waters.
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He Pātaka Wai Ora Monitoring, 2020
January 2020
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This adult Kanakana was found swimming up one of the south branch Mahinga Kai monitoring sites in the Waikouaiti Mātaitai. Kanakana are a nationally threatened vulnerable species, with fossil records dating back to 450 million years ago. Scientists and community members were delighted to see a few kanakana swimming in our streams during the monitoring days.
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Blackberry and gorse bushes were also cleared during monitoring days to allow better access to sites.
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Gretchen Brownstein, Becky and Tom Kerr classifying and counting stream invertebrates at one of the Mahinga Kai monitoring sites
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Becky and Tom Kerr using a 1m by 1m quadrat to estimate the composition of the stream bed.
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The Kerr family using a bucket, quadrat, and ruler to help estimate sediment volumes at each Mahinga Kai monitoring site.
This adult Kanakana was found swimming up one of the south branch Mahinga Kai monitoring sites in the Waikouaiti Mātaitai. Kanakana are a nationally threatened vulnerable species, with fossil records dating back to 450 million years ago. Scientists and community members were delighted to see a few kanakana swimming in our streams during the monitoring days.
Undaria Clearances in the East Otago Taiāpure, 2019
November 2019
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Assc. Prof Chris Hepburn swimming two catch bags full of Undaria to the tender boat for removal.
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Assc. Prof Chris Hepburn using a dive knife to carefully remove Undaria from an assemblage of native brown seaweeds.
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Mark Elder helping divers transfer catch bags full of Undaria to the tender boat.
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Bill Dickson using the Polaris II hydrolics to transfer large fages full of Undaria to the larger vessel for processing.
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Mature Undaria pinnatifida seaweed with large, frilly brown reproductive sporophylls.
Assc. Prof Chris Hepburn swimming two catch bags full of Undaria to the tender boat for removal.
AQFI301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, 2019
February 2019
Research in the Snare Islands and Stewart Island
November 2018
Snares/Stewart Island Research Team
Benthic Mahinga Kai and Habitat surveys in Te Kaio Mātaitai (Akaroa)
February 2018
Isla Twigg carrying out a shoreline survey
AQFI301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats, 2018
February 2018
AQFI301 Blue Cod team, Ariana Bell, Avi Roberts and Will Miller
Benthic Mahinga Kai and Habitat surveys in Akaroa Taiāpure
May 2018
The Akaroa Taiāpure Benthic Survey Team
Benthic surveys in Timaru
January-Febuary 2018
Rāwaru (Blue Cod) surveying in Rakiura (Stewart Island)
October-November 2017
Sub-tidal habitat surveys in Kaikoura
May 2017
Rāwaru (Blue Cod) surveying in Kaikoura
May 2017
Aquaculture and Fisheries 301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats
February 2017
University of Otago Aquaculture and Fisheries students doing pāua density surveys in the East Otago Taiāpure
Moeraki Mātaitai Pāua Survey
Benthic surveys in Whareponga, East Cape
May 2016
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Field surveys with Year 10 students from Ruatoria’s Ngata Memorial College
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Dan undertaking a survey in Whareponga
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Kina in a hole in the reef
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The research team from left Lisa Van Halderen, Dan Pritchard, Eliz Ngarimu, Tasman Gillies, Peri Subritzky, Chris Hepburn, Emma Kearney and Derek Richards
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Field surveys with Year 10 students from Ruatoria’s Ngata Memorial College
Field surveys with Year 10 students from Ruatoria’s Ngata Memorial College
Rawaru (Blue Cod) Populations in the East Otago Taiāpure
February-April 2016
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A resighted tagged rawaru (Blue cod). Information from resightings contribute to stock abundance estimates as well as providing information on growth and movement.
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Size and numbers of non- target species such as Trumpeter were also recorded. Additional information on other species presence provides key and valuable information on local fish communities.
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A resighted tagged rawaru (Blue cod). Information from resightings contribute to stock abundance estimates as well as providing information on growth and movement.
CARIM Ocean Acidification Mooring Maintenance, Huriawa Peninsula
11th February 2016
SeaFET pH monitoring unit
Find out more on the CARIM project here.
Waitutu Mātaitai Pāua Survey
January 2016
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2016 Waitutu Mataitai TMK Survey Team in front of the Waitutu Lodge from left back Tasman Gillies, Peri Subritzky, Matt Desmond, Emma Kearney, Eugene Leahy, Gretchen Brownstein, Derek Richards, front- Brenton Twist, Tiffany Stephens, Dan Pritchard and Sophie the dog
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The Cromby river and Cromby survey site
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Waitutu Mataitai
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Derek Richards & Daniel Pritchard undertaking a near shore paua survey
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Waitutu Mataitai looking west from the mouth of the Wairaurahiri River
2016 Waitutu Mataitai TMK Survey Team in front of the Waitutu Lodge from left back Tasman Gillies, Peri Subritzky, Matt Desmond, Emma Kearney, Eugene Leahy, Gretchen Brownstein, Derek Richards, front- Brenton Twist, Tiffany Stephens, Dan Pritchard and Sophie the dog
Waikawa/ Tumu Toka Mātaitai Research
November 2015
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TMK Waikawa 2015 Survey Team, from back left Vincent Leith, Peri Subritzky, Tasman Gillies, Tiffany Stephens, front- Evie Fachon, Derek Richards, Emma Kearney, Jean McKinnon and Daniel Pritchard- Rachel Paterson not pictured was also a key team member on this trip
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Hinaki used in freshwater monitoring Waikawa, Nov 2015.
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Vincent Leith & Evie Fachon collecting water quality samples, Nov 2015.
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Waikawa Research Team Nov, 2015.
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Vincent Leith &Tasman Gillies undertaking stream survey’s in the Waikawa Catchment, Nov 2015.
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Rachel Paterson & Tasman Gillies measuring Tuna length in Waikawa catchment stream monitoring surveys, Nov 2015.
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Derek Richards, Tasman Gillies & Tiffany Stephens measuring Long Finned Tuna in the Waikawa catchment stream surveys Nov, 2015.
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Recording fish sightings during stream surveys.
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Waikawa Harbour at Low Tide, Nov, 2015.
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Water Sampling at the Niagara Falls, Waikawa.
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TMK Waikawa 2015 Survey Team, from back left Vincent Leith, Peri Subritzky, Tasman Gillies, Tiffany Stephens, front- Evie Fachon, Derek Richards, Emma Kearney, Jean McKinnon and Daniel Pritchard- Rachel Paterson not pictured was also a key team member on this trip
Rakiura Pāua Survey
July 2015
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Paua survey in Whaka a Te Wera July, 2015. Photo: TMK
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Paua Survey July, 2015. Photo: TMK
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Quadrat during a Paua Survey, July 2015
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Paua, Rakiura July 2015.
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Matt Desmond (left) and Peri Subritzky (right) undertaking a Paua survey, Whaka a Te Wera, July 2015.
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Emma Kearney recording site information during Whaka a Te Wera Paua Surveys
Paua survey in Whaka a Te Wera July, 2015. Photo: TMK
Benthic surveys within Whakaraupō / Lyttleton Harbour
April 2015
Opihi and Waitarakao Mātaitai
February 2015
Water Quality Monitoring in Arowhenua
Aquaculture and Fisheries 301/421-Field Methods for Assessment of Fisheries and Aquatic Habitats
February 2015
University of Otago Marine Science students in Puketeraki Marae, planning research projects in the EOT
Waikawa / Tumu Toka Mātaitai (Waikawa, Southland)
November 2014
2014 Waikawa Tuaki Survey team member Matt Desmond. Photo: TMK
Tipa/Tupa- New Zealand scallop (Pecten novaezelandaie) surveys within Whaka a Te Wera, Paterson Inlet Rakiura
June 2013
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Tupa/tipa- the NZ scallop, cryptic within the sediment/water interface
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Will Rayment during a dive survey looking at densities of scallops 2013.
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Brenton Twist searching for scallops in mark recapture growth studies, Paua Beach, Whaka a Te Wera, 2014
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Wheke- an octopus observed during tupa surveys. Octopus have been found to feed upon tupa. It is not uncommon to find their dens littered with empty shell
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Eleven armed starfish (Coscinasterias calamaria) observed along a transect during tupa surveys
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Will Rayment searching for tupa along a transect
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Will Rayment surveying the sediment surface within a quadrat along a transect line
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Tupa/tipa- the NZ scallop, with mantle exposed
Tupa/tipa- the NZ scallop, cryptic within the sediment/water interface
Tātai kōrero ka ngaro, tātai kōrero ka rangona.
