Number 50: 2008 - New Zealand Marine Sciences Society

Transcription

NEW ZEALAND MARINE SCIENCES SOCIETY
REVIEW 50
MAY 2009
ISSN 1170-8352
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REVIEW 50
A review of marine research carried out in
New Zealand during 2008
Cover Photo: Apical scimitar (or growing tip) of Macrocystis pyrifera
Sheryl Miller
Edited by Natalie Robinson, May 2009
I would like to thank Alison MacDiarmid, Sheryl Miller and Abby Smith for helping out with various
aspects of this review. I would also like to thank those of you who have made and collected
contributions for this year’s review. Your time and effort is very much appreciated.
Prepared by the NZMSS for distribution to members
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
New Zealand Marine Sciences Society.............................................................................................................. 6
About the Society................................................................................................................................................ 6
The Society Council ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Society Rules........................................................................................................................................................ 8
NZMSS On-Line .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Minutes of the 2008 Annual General Meeting............................................................................................... 13
Annual Financial Report .................................................................................................................................... 16
Presidents Report – AGM – 10 July 2008......................................................................................................... 19
Bob Hickman: 40 Years of looking into aquaculture .................................................................................... 20
First Overseas Conference Travel Fund .......................................................................................................... 21
Andrea Contreras – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council.............................................................................. 22
Eileen Koh - FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council........................................................................................... 23
Tania Hurley – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council...................................................................................... 24
Tim Young – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council ......................................................................................... 25
NZMSS Student Research Grant ...................................................................................................................... 26
Phil Ross – 2007-08 Student Research Grant Report .................................................................................... 27
The New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Award ...................................................................................... 28
NZMSS Award for Lifetime Achievement 2008
Dr. Malcolm Francis ................................................... 28
NZMSS Award Past Winners ......................................................................................................................... 29
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research ......................................................................... 30
NZMSS Conference 2008 ................................................................................................................................... 31
Welcome from the Host Organisation ........................................................................................................... 31
Welcome from the NZMSS Council............................................................................................................... 32
Welcome from AMSA ...................................................................................................................................... 32
Prizes Awarded................................................................................................................................................. 33
Abstracts for Keynote Presentations .............................................................................................................. 34
Abstracts for Oral Presentations..................................................................................................................... 39
Abstracts for Poster Presentations................................................................................................................ 140
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Research News ................................................................................................................................................... 170
Auckland Regional Council .......................................................................................................................... 170
Cawthron Institute ......................................................................................................................................... 172
Department of Conservation......................................................................................................................... 178
Environment Canterbury .............................................................................................................................. 185
Geomarine Research....................................................................................................................................... 187
Golder Associates ........................................................................................................................................... 189
Massey University (Auckland and Palmerston North)............................................................................. 194
Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) ........................................................................................................................ 196
Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa ....................................................................................... 200
New Zealand Rock Lobster Fisheries .......................................................................................................... 202
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Christchurch.............................................. 204
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Greta Point................................................. 210
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Hamilton.................................................... 231
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Mahanga Bay............................................. 233
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Nelson ........................................................ 235
University of Auckland.................................................................................................................................. 237
University of Canterbury - School of Biological Sciences ......................................................................... 243
University of Canterbury - Coastal Studies Group.................................................................................... 248
University of Otago - Marine Science .......................................................................................................... 251
University of Otago - Physics........................................................................................................................ 258
Victoria University of Wellington ................................................................................................................ 259
Recent Publications........................................................................................................................................... 265
Geomarine Research....................................................................................................................................... 265
Industrial Research Limited (IRL) ................................................................................................................ 266
Massey University (Auckland and Palmerston North)............................................................................. 266
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd ........................................................................ 269
University of Auckland.................................................................................................................................. 287
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Reports and Popular Articles........................................................................................................................... 300
Auckland Regional Council .......................................................................................................................... 300
Environment Canterbury .............................................................................................................................. 302
Industrial Research Limited (IRL) ................................................................................................................ 305
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd ........................................................................ 308
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About the Society
The New Zealand Marine Sciences Society is a non-profit organization formed in 1960 to foster an
understanding and appreciation of our marine environment, to provide a means of communication
within our marine science community, to encourage and assist marine science students and young
scientists, and to provide advice to government on marine policy issues.
The NZMSS membership for 2008/09 consisted of: 125 Full members, 6 Institutional members, 93
Student members and 15 Life members.
Subscription rates for 2008-2009 were:
Full member $45.00
Student member $20.00
Retired member $20.00
The NZMSS holds an annual conference, usually between July and September, in conjunction with the
Annual General Meeting. Student participation is strongly encouraged, and the Society awards student
prizes each year. Students who present their research at the conference are also eligible for assistance
with their travel costs.
Members receive the annual Review, which details abstracts from the preceding conference, activities of
the society, summaries of research activities, and lists of recent publications. The Review is available as
a pdf file from the Society website, or as printed hardcopy upon request.
Inquiries and correspondence should be addressed to:
The Secretary, Alison MacDiarmid (email: [email protected])
NIWA
Private Bag 14901, Kilbirnie
WELLINGTON
Membership inquiries should be directed to:
Membership Secretary,
Emma Sommerville
email: [email protected]
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The Society Council
2008 – 09
President:
Vice President:
Immediate Past President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Sheryl Miller
Colin McLay
Abby Smith
Alison MacDiarmid
Claire Conwell
Council Members:
Colin McLay
Andrea Alfaro
Conrad Pilditch
Mark Costello
Mary Sewell
Ann McCrone
Mary Livingston
Megan Carbines
Mike Hickford
Honorary Members:
Emma Sommerville - Membership Secretary
Natalie Robinson - Review Editor
Brian Paavo - Webmaster
Student Representatives:
Phil Ross
Anna Wood
Emily Duder
Alphabetical List of Council Members 2007-08
Megan Carbines
Claire Conwell
Mark Costello
Emily Duder
Mike Hickford
Mary Livingston
Ann McCrone
Alison MacDiarmid
Colin Mclay
Sheryl Miller
Brian Paavo
Conrad Pilditch
Natalie Robinson
Phillip Ross
Mary Sewell
Emma Sommerville
Abby Smith
Anna Wood
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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Society Rules
1. NAME
The name of the Society shall be the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, hereinafter called the
Society.
2. OBJECTS
The objects of the Society shall be:
(a) To encourage and assist marine research in New Zealand.
(b) To provide means of communication among persons interested in research in the marine sciences
and to provide opportunity for them to foregather by the holding of an annual conference.
(c) To act as spokesman when required, on behalf of the interests of marine research in New Zealand.
(d) To co-operate with other scientific bodies and to seek such affiliations as may be appropriate.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Members shall be classified as follows:
(i) Full New Zealand Members and New Zealand Institutions
(ii) Student Members (of New Zealand educational institutions)
(iii) Overseas Members and Institutions
(iv) Retired Members
(v) Honorary Life Members
(vi) Corporate Members
(b) The Council may elect any person as an ordinary member of the Society on recommendation of two
members (2) of the Society.
(c) Any member who has given outstanding service to marine science in New Zealand may, on the
recommendation of the Council, be elected as an Honorary Member at any Annual or Special
General Meeting.
(d) Any member of the Society may resign by giving notice in writing to the Secretary and paying all
subscriptions due; provided that any member giving such notice before 30th April shall not be liable to
pay the subscription for that year.
(e) Any member whose annual subscription is more than two years in arrears shall be removed from
membership of the Society and may be re-admitted by resolution of the Council on payment of all
arrears.
4. SUBSCRIPTION
(a) The annual subscription shall be one dollar ($1.00) or such other sum as any Annual or Special
General Meeting shall from time to time decide.
(b) The first subscription for membership shall be forwarded to the Secretary or Secretary/Treasurer
with the completed application form.
(c) All subscriptions after the first shall become due and payable on the first day of each financial year.
(d) Each person elected as a member shall be given notice thereof in writing by the Secretary.
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(e) Any member requiring a copy of the rules of the Society may do so by requesting a copy from the
Secretary.
(f) In exceptional circumstances the Council may by resolution remit the payment of an annual
subscription or part thereof.
5. OFFICERS
The Officers of the Society shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer (or
a Secretary-Treasurer), a Membership Secretary and an Auditor, all of whom except the Auditor shall
be members of the Society.
6. COUNCIL
(a) The Council shall consist of the following:
(i)The officers except the Auditor
(ii)The Immediate Past President
(iii)A minimum of five (5) members elected by the Annual General Meeting.
(b) The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer) shall be elected by
successive ballots in that order at the Annual General Meeting.
(c) The members of the Council shall be elected by ballot at the Annual General Meeting after the
officers have been elected.
(d) Candidates for positions as officers or members of the Council shall be nominated by members of
the Society at the Annual General Meeting, or in writing signed by any two (2) members, received by
the Secretary before the time of such meeting. Every candidate shall before election signify personally
or in writing his or her acceptance of nomination.
(e) All officers and members of Council shall be eligible for immediate re-election PROVIDED
ALWAYS that no person having held the same office either of President or Vice-President for two
successive years shall be eligible for immediate re-election to that office.
(f) The Council shall have powers to appoint members of the Society to fill any casual vacancies.
(g) The officers and Council shall take office immediately after the close of the Annual General Meeting
at which they are elected and shall have full control of the management of the Society except where
otherwise provided in these rules.
(h) At any meeting of the Council four (4) shall form a quorum
(i) The Council may delegate any of its powers and duties to sub-committees consisting of such
member or members of the Society as it may resolve, provided that at least one member (1) of each subcommittee shall be a member of the Council, and may grant to such sub-committees the power to coopt other persons whether members of the Society or not.
(j) Meetings of the Council shall be called by the Secretary (or Secretary Treasurer) on the instructions of
the President or on the receipt of a requisition signed by not less than four (4) members of the Council.
7. FINANCES
(a) The control and investment of the funds of the Society shall be wholly within the power of the
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Council, which may open and operate accounts at any bank or banks as it deems fit, including the
Post Office Savings Bank. The Trustees of any such accounts shall be the Treasurer (or SecretaryTreasurer) and any two officers or members of the Council appointed by the Council for that purpose,
cheques and withdrawal warrants shall be signed by any two of the Trustees.
(b) The Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer) shall keep a correct account of all funds received and
expended by the Society, and shall prepare at the end of each financial year a Balance Sheet and
Statement of Accounts for that year.
(c) The accounts of the Society shall be audited at the end of each financial year by an Auditor, who
shall hold professional qualifications in accountancy. The Auditor shall be appointed each year at the
Annual General Meeting.
(d) The financial year of the Society shall end on the 31st March in each year.
(e) The Society shall not have the power to borrow money.
8. MEETINGS
(a) The Society shall hold at least one General Meeting in each financial year. At one such meeting there
shall be a business session, which shall constitute the Annual General Meeting of the Society. At this
meeting the Society shall:
(i) Receive from the Council a Report, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Accounts for the
preceding financial year.
(ii) Elect the Officers and Council and appoint an Auditor for the ensuing year.
(iii) Decide on any motion which may be duly submitted to the meeting.
(b) A Special General Meeting shall be held at any time by resolution of the Council or within six weeks
of receipt by the Secretary of a requisition signed by at least ten (10) members specifying the purpose
for which the meeting is to be called.
(c) Notice and agenda of each Annual and Special General Meeting shall be posted to each member at
least fourteen days before that meeting. At any Special General Meeting no motion not included in the
notice calling the meeting may be proposed, discussed, or put to vote except by consent of two thirds of
the members present.
(d) The Annual Report, Balance Sheet and Statement of Accounts for each financial year shall be posted
to all members at least fourteen days before the next Annual General Meeting.
(e) At any Annual or Special General Meeting fifteen (15) members shall constitute a quorum.
(f) At any Annual or Special General Meeting, or Council Meeting, the chair shall be taken by the
President, or if the President is absent the Vice-President, or failing him a member elected by the
meeting.
(g) At any meeting voting shall be on the voices or by show of hands or by ballot at the discretion of the
chairman PROVIDED THAT if any member so demand, voting shall be by ballot. The chairman shall
have a deliberative and casting vote.
9. ALTERATION OF RULES
(a) Any alteration, addition, or recession in these rules shall be made only at an Annual or Special
General Meeting.
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(b) Notice of the proposed alteration, addition, or recession shall be posted to every member at least
fourteen days prior to the meeting.
(c) The meeting may amend any such proposals.
(d) No resolution shall effect any alteration of these rules unless assented to by two-thirds of the
members present at the meeting.
(e) No addition to or alteration of the rules affecting the Society’s non-profit aims or winding up clause
shall be made without the approval of the Inland Revenue Department, and the provisions and effect of
this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied into any
document replacing this document.
10. INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES
The decision of the Council as to the interpretation of these rules shall be final and binding on all
parties except at any Annual or Special General Meeting when the decision of the chairman of such
meeting will be final and binding on all parties.
11. COMMON SEAL
The common seal of the Society shall be in the custody of the Secretary (or Secretary-Treasurer), who
shall in pursuance of a resolution of the Council to that effect, affix the same to all instruments
requiring the same.
12. WINDING UP
If upon winding up or dissolution of the organization there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts
and liabilities any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members but
shall be given or transferred to an income tax exempt organization with similar objectives or to some
other charitable purpose within New Zealand.
13. AWARDS
Periodically the Council of the Society may present an award to any person who they feel has made an
outstanding contribution to marine science.
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NZMSS ON-LINE
Members are encouraged to take advantage of the following online options:
The NZMSS Website
The website has moved from its previous location, and is now to be found at:
http://nzmss.rsnz.org/
The site has:
• Listings of contact details for Society officers
• Guidelines and application form for the First Overseas Conference Travel Fund
• The Society Rules
• Previous NZMSS Annual Reviews
• NZMSS Newsletters
• Copies of submissions made on behalf of the Society to government
The Marine Sciences List Server
A currently underutilised facility. Members are encouraged to make more use of it!
To join the list server either:
(i)
Follow the links from the website home page to “Join the Mailing List” (located on
the right hand side); or
(ii)
Go directly to http://nzmss.rsnz.org/mailman/listinfo/nzmss_nzmss.rsnz.org
To subscribe: Fill in the electronic form on the web page (email address, name,
password) and click the subscribe button.
To unsubscribe: Follow the instructions, and fill in the unsubscribe form on the
same page.
To distribute your message to everyone on the NZMSS list send your message to:
[email protected]
You can also check out what other RSNZ lists are available on the web page:
http://www.rsnz.org/directory/elist.php
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MINUTES OF THE 2008 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CONVENED AT 13:30 ON 10TH JULY 2008 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH
Present: Katrin Berkenbusch, Marcus Cameron, Geoseppe Cortese, Mark Costello, Christine Davis,
Steve Dawson, Emily Duder, Atusbo Fukunaga, Greig Funnell, Richard Griffiths, Bruce Haywood, Bob
Hickman, Helen Kettles, Kirstie Knoweles, Ivan Kurtovic, Pete Kussel, Mary Livingston, Drew Lohrer,
Carolyn Lundquist, Alison MacDiarmid, Gamod Maellasky, Islay Marsden, Colin Mclay, Sheryl Miller,
Don Neale, Kate Neil, Wendy Nelson, Emma Newcombe, Steve O’Shea, Tracey Osborne, Keith Probert,
Bethany Roberts, Don Robertson, Natalie Robinson, Phil Ross, Sarah Rynbeck, Liz Slooten, Matt Smith,
Abby Smith, Emma Sommerville, Megan Stewart, Carl Struthers, Michael Townsend, Kathy Walls,
Anna Wood
1.
Apologies – Conrad Pilditch, Ann McCrone, Mary Sewell, Claire Conwell
2.
Minutes of the 2007 AGM – Moved by Phil Ross; seconded by Bob Hickman. Passed
unanimously.
3.
Matters arising
Support for Marine Research
It was noted that a student research grant was established in 2007 and that two awards
have been given to date. It was generally agreed that it would be useful to advertise this
award more widely in order to attract a students from a greater range of institutions. It was
suggested that the award be brought to the notice of the University grants bodies to ensure
it goes on their lists of awards and prizes. Also request student representatives to advertise
it locally- make a poster. Who? It was noted that pressure on students to achieve research
objectives may account for low levels of applications for additional research.
NZMSS Lecture Tour
It was noted that the 2007 NZMSS award winner, Dr Wendy Nelson, had already
presented a public lecture in Napier and was presenting another in a weeks time in
Dunedin and had given a plenary address at this years conference.
4.
Reports
President: Abby Smith provided the president’s report (see below)
Treasurer: Claire Conwell was not present but provided the financial report (see below)
Membership Secretary: Emma Sommerville reported that there were 116 full members, 6
institutional members, 14 lifetime members and the balance of 45 were student members. The
numbers were likely to grow by the end of the conference. Emma thanked Mike Hickford for
enabling membership enrolment during the conference.
5.
Matters arising from Reports
13
Financial Report
Colin McLay asked why there was such a large variance between years in the profit made
at conferences. It was noted that the 2007 conference made such a large conference because
of the amount of sponsorship eventually received, especially from the University of
Waikato. This can not be relied upon when registration fees are budgeted as the Society
cannot afford to make a loss on a conference. It was noted that profits can be used to
support students.
Bruce Haywood questioned the variance in amount obtained by subscription. It was noted
that this is entirely a function of varying membership from one year to the next.
Mary Livingston wondered why the Ministry of Fisheries student sponsorship was listed
as $0 in 2008 but $3375 in 2007. It was noted that this was because in 2007 the funds had
come through the society whereas in 2008 the sponsorship had gone to the conference
budget for disbursement.
Bruce Haywood proposed that the 2007/08 financial report be accepted. This was seconded
by Mark Costello and unanimously approved by members.
The Council was requested to adopt the proposed budget for 2008/09
Membership
Mark Costello noted there was some confusion about the period of membership. It was
agreed that the incoming council be instructed to clarify this issue.
6.
Conferences.
2009 – Auckland with Met Soc NZ. Mark Costello agreed to be involved in organising this
conference and suggested the 1st week of August as the probable date
2010 – Wellington 50th Anniversary Bash
2011 – Dunedin w NZFWS (probably)
2012 – Joint with AMSA in Australia
7.
Election of Officers – the following were nominated uncontested
• President – Sheryl Miller
• Vice President – Colin McLay
• Secretary – Alison MacDiarmid
• Treasurer – Claire Conwell
• Council – Ann McCrone, Mark Costello, Conrad Pilditch, Mary Livingston, Megan
Carbines, Mike Hickford
• Membership Secretary – Emma Sommerville
• Review Editor – Natalie Robinson
• Student Reps – Emily Duder, Anna Wood, Phil Ross
• Website Administrator – Brian Paavo
Abby Smith automatically takes her place on Council as Immediate past-president.
14
8.
General business
Data publishing: Alison MacDiarmid briefly raised the issue of the need for some consensus
about data publishing in New Zealand if we are to successfully address NZ wide issues such as
the effects of climate change on NZ’s marine biodiversity. It was agreed that this issue was of
general concern and that the incoming council discuss this matter and present members with a
discussion paper and a range of options over the next year.
RSNZ Journals: Abby provided a brief overview and history of the issue. It was suggested that
the NZMSS submission be placed on the list server if not already there. Alison to arrange. What
else can the society do? It was noted that the editorial board of the NZJMFWR wrote in protest
to the RSNZ and the Minister of Science. Perhaps the Council could do something similar;
perhaps writing to MORST. Colin McLay put a motion that the incoming council be tasked with
taking some further action. Seconded by Helen Kettles and agreed unanimously by members.
The meeting closed at 2:30 pm.
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ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
for the year ending 31 March 2008
Profit and Loss Account for the year ended 31 March 2008
Income
2008
2007
7,002
26,604
0
4,738
$38,344
9,525
2,885
5,000
1,614
$19,024
NZMSReview
RSNZ- affiliation fees
First Overseas Conference Travel Awards
Council and General Expenses
NZMSS Awards
Student Travel Grants
Student Research Award
Bank Fees
MFish Student Sponsorship
NZMSS Award Sculpture
Lecture Tour NZMSS Award recipient
Audit Fees
Total Expenditure
1,155
669
5,500
3,396
0
3,035
2,500
471
0
700
568
195
$18,189
1,808
643
9,500
3,702
700
6,240
0
368
3,375
0
0
175
$26,537
Surplus (Deficit) of Income over Expenditure
$20,155
$(7,513)
Subscriptions Received
Conference Net Income
Donation
Interest Received
Total Income
Expenditure
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Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2008
Members Funds:
2008
2007
Balance 1 April
Surplus/(Deficit) of Income over Expenditure for Year
50,102
20,155
57,615
(7,513)
Balance 31 March
$70,257
$50,102
Represented by:
Westpac - Cheque Account
Sculptures on Hand
Accounts Receivable
Westpac - Term Investments
Less Accounts Payable
7,425
6,300
16,569
52,086
82,380
214
0
3,140
47,353
50,707
12,123
605
$70,257
$50,102
Notes to the Financial Statements
Statement of General Accounting Policies
These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost method.
Accrual accounting has been used except as noted below, and reliance has been
placed on the Society being a going concern.
Statement of Particular Accounting Policies
All subscription receipts have been accounted for on a cash basis.
These financial statements were prepared on a Goods and Services Tax (GST)
inclusive basis.
Changes in Accounting Policies
There have been no changes in accounting policies. All policies have been applied
on bases consistent with the previous year.
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2007/2008
Milena Palka – Aug. 2007
William Rayment – Aug.2007
Tim Young – February 2008
Eileen Yiling Koh – Feb 2008
1,000
1,500
1,500
1,500
$5,500
There was no income specifically designated for the First Overseas Conference
Travel Fund.
Student Research Award - Phil Ross
NZMSS Award Sculpture – Malcolm Francis
Accounts Receivable
Conference surplus
Advance to 2008 Conference
15,569
1,000
Total
$16,569
Accounts Payable
Sculptures
Payment to Conference of DOC funds
Council Expenses
Audit Fee
7,000
3,000
1,400
528
195
$12,123
Total
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PRESIDENTS REPORT – AGM – 10 JULY 2008
Once again it’s my pleasure to report on a busy and productive year. The Society’s mission is threefold:
to provide a means of communication within the marine science community, to encourage and assist
marine science students and young scientists, and to provide advice to government on marine policy
issues. We did all that.
Communication
• 18 members of council
• 10 monthly meetings
• NZMSS web site, list server
• Workplace stress survey
• Bi-monthly newsletters
Encouraging and Assisting
• Three First Overseas Conference Travel Awards
• Student Research Award
• NZMSS Award – (here Abby read out the citation for Malcolm Francis, indicated he was not
present to receive the award and noted the Society had arranged for it to be presented at the
Science Awards Dinner in Wellington in November 2008)
Raising the Profile of Marine Science
• Public lectures by Wendy Nelson – Malcolm Francis will do something similar next year.
• NZMSS Review 2008 – now published
Advocacy & Submissions
• Marine Protected Areas: Draft Classification and Protection Standard (28 September 2007)
• Discussion Paper: Improving Regulation of Environmental Effects in New Zealand's Exclusive
Economic Zone
• Hector's and Maui's Dolphin Threat Management Plan Draft for Public Consultation (24 October
2007)
• RSNZ Journal formats, distribution, and page charges (November 2007)
• New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (May 2008)
• Bay of Plenty Conservation Management Strategy
Abby noted that a vote of thanks go to Alison MacDiarmid for her contribution to organising the
Council over the last year.
All’s well, thanks very much.
Abby Smith, President
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BOB HICKMAN: 40 YEARS OF LOOKING INTO AQUACULTURE
On 12 December 2008 Bob Hickman retired after almost 40 years of research for the same employer that
Bob insists kept on changing its name from the Marine Department, to the Fisheries Research Division
of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, then to NIWA.
Bob was recruited from the UK in 1969 and the
advertisement that enticed him to New Zealand stipulated
that the salary range on offer was NZ$2,840 for a graduate
with a First Class Honours degree to NZ$3,440 for a recently
graduated PhD! Since then starting salaries for PhDs have
increased almost 20 fold.
Since 1969 Bob has played an important role in the research
that under-pinned establishment of New Zealand’s
aquaculture industry. His 1974 discovery of green-lipped
mussel spat encrusting seaweed freshly stranded on Ninety
Mile Beach in Northland and his investigations into how
these could be seeded onto mussel lines in the Marlborough
Sounds that would revolutionise the mussel industry in
New Zealand. Prior to this obtaining sufficient natural
spatfall on the mussel ropes was a very hit or miss affair.
One bucket of “Kaitaia spat”, Bob calculated, would
eventually yield about 6,000kg of mussel meat, even after
losses of spat during transport and mortality on the lines.
Bob went on to conduct research on the aquaculture of a
wide variety of other species including oysters, paua, rock
lobsters, turbot, butterfish and hapuku. Most of Bobs
research activities centred around the Aquaculture
Research Facility at Mahanga Bay on Wellington Harbour
but field work took him to almost every corner of New
Zealand and occasionally overseas.
1969
Bob’s other major contribution has been over 20 years of
outstanding service to the New Zealand marine science
community as President, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate
Post-President and Council Member of the New Zealand
Marine Sciences Society. The Society cannot function
without the active support of its members and Bob’s
contribution has been long and highly valued.
On the occasion of Bob’s retirement from NIWA, the
Council of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
would like to add its congratulations on a career well
spent.
2008
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FIRST OVERSEAS CONFERENCE TRAVEL FUND
In 2008 awards were made to Andrea Contreras, Eileen Yiling Koh, Tania Hurley and Tim Young for
conferences in Hong Kong, Canada, Australia and Portugal respectively.
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS
Fund is open to all postgraduate student members of NZMSS
Rules for eligibility:
1. Applicants must be enrolled in a postgraduate course of study in some aspect of marine science at a
New Zealand university.
2. Applicants must be current (financial) members of NZMSS and must have presented a paper or
poster at one or more NZMSS conference(s).
3. Applications will be accepted only from members attending their FIRST overseas conference and
proposing to present a paper or poster.
General guidelines:
1. The awards will normally be made twice a year. The deadlines for applications to be received are
February 1 and August 1 in any year. Late applications will NOT be accepted. Awards may not be
made if there are no suitable applicants.
2. Each successful applicant to the FOCTF will be awarded $1500 (or such sum as the Council may
specify in the future). The number of awards allocated following each of the two application deadlines
will be at the discretion of the Council, and dependent on available funds.
3. Your application should be made on the official application form and must include the following
supporting information:
· An abstract of the presentation of poster or paper you are giving.
· Your current CV, including your academic record, any previous publications, reports or theses you
have authored, and any prizes or awards you have received.
· A letter of support from your supervisor.
To obtain an application form, visit http://nzmss.rsnz.org or contact the secretary.
21
Andrea Contreras – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council
13th International Conference on Harmful algae
3-5 November, 2008, Hong Kong
The 13th International Conference on Harmful algae was placed in Hong Kong from the 3rd to the 5th
of November 2008. It was organized by the International Society for the study of Harmful Algae and
The Open University of Hong Kong; supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
of UNESCO, NOAA and AoHABSCS and sponsored by The Croucher Foundation, SINO-British
fellowship trust and Green Power. Some of the topics discussed in the conference were: “HAB events,
distribution and impacts”, “resting cysts and germination”, “early warning, prediction and modeling”,
“genetic, proteomics and molecular-level studies”, “mitigation and control, harmful algae in
freshwater”, “toxins and toxicology” and “shellfish safety and public health”.
I participated in this conference with the poster called “Physiological effects of paralytic shellfish toxins
in New Zealand marine bivalves” which showed some results of my PhD thesis in Environmental
Sciences at University of Canterbury, Christchurch. Many important researches from over the world
assisted to this conference too and I received very important feed back for my research. I also had the
opportunity to see other studies from different Institutions and Universities and exchange ideas and
experiences with people working in HAbs for many years. It was an invaluable experience for me.
It was also very interesting to share this conference with other researchers working in the same topic in
New Zealand (Cawthron Institute from Nelson, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research
from Wellington and University of Waikato from Hamilton). It is necessary to keep connected and
work together for more relevant information in the monitoring of HABs in New Zealand.
I appreciate the financial support given by New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, the International
Society for the study of Harmful Algae and University of Canterbury for the assistance to the
conference.
22
Eileen Koh - FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council
3rd International Conference on Polar & Alpine Microbiology
11th – 15th May 2008, Banff, Canada
My attendance at the 3rd International Conference on Polar and Alpine Microbiology was made possible
by financial support provided by the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society ‘First Overseas Conference
Travel Fund’. The Fund has covered my registration fees, accommodation and daily expenses for this
conference.
This conference brought together many internationally renowned scientists, professionals and students
to discuss the various roles played by cold-adapted microorganisms in the polar and alpine
environments, addressing recent developments and also to exchange ideas and experiences.
The range of presentations by the various investigators and students over the four-day period was
intriguing. Topics ranging from aquatic microbiology to astrobiology were discussed; the relation
between climate effects and polar microbiology were also presented. There were presentations on
research in both the Arctic and Antarctic, which complements my research as I could apply what is
being carried out in the Arctic to my research on Antarctic sea ice. It was a great experience to learn
first-hand from the researchers about their studies.
I presented a poster on my research over the past year and received many positive comments and
suggestions (in terms of research directions and methods) from both top-notch researchers and fellow
students working in various fields. There were also other studies relevant to my research, and it was
very enriching to be able to discuss with researchers who have encountered and overcame similar
challenges to those I am facing. Contacts with researchers from other lab groups were made, with
collaboration potential in the near future.
The numbers of attendees at the conference were no more than 100 – a small-scale conference – but the
interactions between the students and scientists were dynamic. I was the only student in the New
Zealand contingent of three; nonetheless, it is a great experience to be able to attend this conference and
interact with researchers working in similar fields.
I would like to thank the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society for their financial support and confirm
the value of the ‘First Overseas Conference Travel Fund’.
23
Tania Hurley – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council
8th International Temperate Reef Symposium
January 2009, Adelaide, Australia
I was fortunate to be awarded the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society First Overseas Conference
Travel Funding in 2008 which allowed me to attend and present an oral presentation on sediment
gradients, disturbance and community structure on rocky reefs in southern New Zealand at the 8th
International Temperate Reef Symposium, January 2009 in Adelaide.
Through attending a wide variety of the presentations from scientists from numerous countries I
expanded my current scientific knowledge. Furthermore, the debate and discussions that occurred at
many of the social functions have increased my confidence to debate scientific studies and
demonstrated to me how to critically analyse results presented. Presenting the results of 12 months of
my Masters research built upon the presentation experience I gained at the NZMSC in Christchurch
2008, and questions from scientists working on similar projects world-wide pushed me to think further
about the interpretation and analysis of my data. The skills and insights gained during the conference
have greatly improved my critical thinking skills and have benefited the write up of my thesis.
One memorable highlight was the farewell to Prof. Tony Underwood, involving talks from top level
scientists, reviews of Tony’s work and rigorous debates encouraging students to strive to achieve sound
scientific work.
I would like to thank New Zealand Marine Sciences Society for providing the funding for me to attend
this conference. I belief it has been invaluable to my scientific work. I would encourage other students
to apply for the conference funding and take the opportunity to attend an overseas conference.
Tania Hurley
11 June 2009
24
Tim Young – FOCTF Report to NZMSS Council
8th International Larval Biology Symposium
July 2008, Lisbon, Portugal
In July 2008 I attended my first overseas conference, the 8th International Larval Biology Symposium in
Lisbon, Portugal. This invaluable experience was made possible by the financial support awarded to
me by the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society, for which I am highly grateful. Attending this
symposium was of particular interest to me since my own research focuses on the larval biology of
marine invertebrates.
Two of the four themes directly related to my area of study: (1) larval behaviour, dispersal and
mortality, (2) larval settlement cues, behaviour response, and possible mechanism. At the conference I
presented the findings of my master’s degree on chemical cues which induce larval settlement in the
New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. This was the first time I had performed an oral
presentation at a conference, and being to an auditorium filled with world renowned specialists within
the field, I was understandably nervous. However, upon completion, I received some excellent
comments with many experts being very interested and supportive of my work. Because the New
Zealand green-lipped mussel is an endemic species, there was considerable interest in the comparative
biology of our mussel with the Asian variety, Perna viridis. It was a fantastic feeling to know that not
only had I gained a vast amount of knowledge from the talks that I attended, but I too had managed to
educate my peers, in an area I am most familiar with, in an international arena. This experience really is
beyond description, and I would highly recommend any student with aspirations of becoming a
scientist to jump into the deep-end and take every opportunity possible to present their work.
Over the six days of commentary, I was introduced to a huge amount of knowledge in diverse areas
such as: new molecular techniques for assessing the involvement of bioactive compounds in larval
settlement, the identities of various natural cues which mediate recruitment of planktonic larvae (from
sound and light to the role of biofilms), molecular markers for quickly identifying bivalve species
compositions within planktonic samples, and the effect of global warming on larval connectivity,
amongst many others. I was quite surprised at the turnout of New Zealand scientists at the larval
biology symposium and was very pleased to be among those representing our country. In fact, the next
international symposium (2010) will be held in Wellington which I think was, at least in part, due to the
keen interest held by the New Zealand representatives present.
There was only one disappointing aspect of my attendance at the symposium - the fact that it coincided
with the NZMSS 2008 conference in Christchurch. However, I must admit that striding along the warm
cobbles of Lisbon, ice cream in hand and beating out a rhythm between the tramlines, did leave little to
be desired for the cold frosty mornings and afternoon snow, the sniffling noses and the chilblained toes
for which Christchurch is commonly associated with at that time of year! I would like to thank the New
Zealand Marine Sciences Society for giving me the opportunity to attend and present at my first
overseas conference. Without their generous support in awarding me the ‘First Overseas Conference
Travel Fund’ this experience would not have been possible. Thank you NZMSS.
25
NZMSS STUDENT RESEARCH GRANT
The student research grant programme was inaugerated by the members of the society at our annual
general meeting in 2006 to help graduate researchers take their work further than academic funding
often allows and provide exposure for their research. Grants are awarded as funds allow, with at least
one award typically made annually. Applications from a broad range of marine disciplines are
encouraged and recipients will present the results of their work at a plenary session during our annual
conference.
GUIDE FOR APPLICANTS
Applicants may be existing or candidate postgraduate students of any nationality, but should be based
at a New Zealand institution (e.g. university, museum, or company) for the research. During the tenure
of the award each applicant must be an enrolled student and a member of NZMSS. Research topic may
be in any marine science area. Funds may be used for any purpose that supports the research.
Recipients will present their findings at an NZMSS annual conference at their own expense (but
registration fee will be waived), and provide a 1-2 page summary of their findings by email to the
NZMSS Secretary in a style suitable as a press release within 1 year of the research being completed.
All data from the work will be published in a journal, book, and/or on the world wide web. All
publications and presentations will acknowledge that the research was “stimulated by a Scholarship
Grant from the New Zealand Marine Science Society”. The applicant and supervisor will provide a
signed statement as to the use of the funds within one year of the award. Recipients maintain their
eligibility for any future NZMSS grants.
Proposals will be independently reviewed by three referees not associated with any proposals. Referees
will not confer until they have ranked proposals. Part 1 proposals will be ranked according to their
likelihood of stimulating new research involving graduate students at New Zealand institutions.
Referees will only review Part II of proposals where they consider Part 1 of high scientific merit.
NZMSS reserves the right to attach additional conditions to awards where the referees feel it desirable.
Applicants will be informed if they have or have not been successful.
Each application should be submitted as two electronic documents (Microsoft Word .doc or Adobe's
.pdf) submitted as word-processed (typed) attachments to email addressed to Colin Mclay:
([email protected])
PART I: THE SCIENTIFIC PROPOSAL
It should be
• anonymous and not provide information to identify the applicants or their institution
• no more than 2 pages long, single-spaced, size 12 pt font
• named with a distinctive title unique to the proposal (e.g. Polar_Turbellaria_Part_1.doc).
The text should identify what gaps in knowledge the research aims to fill, why these are important, and
why the research should be done now.
PART II CONTAINS
• Contact details of the post-graduate applicant and their host institution
• Contact details of the supervisor(s) and their host institutions
26
•
•
•
•
Single page CV of student
Single page CV of supervisor(s)
why the applicants are well placed to do the proposed research
what the funds will be used for (Supplementary material may be provided as an Appendix if
necessary.
Phil Ross – 2007-08 Student Research Grant Report
For many marine benthic invertebrates dispersal over large distances is only possible during a pelagic
larval phase. It is through the broadcasting of gametes that sedentary organisms can achieve genetic
exchange between geographically separated subpopulations, colonise new or disturbed sites and avoid
the genetic pitfalls associated with inbreeding, small population size and asexual reproduction. A better
understanding of the processes that influence the transport of pelagic larvae could lead to more
effective management of the marine environment. Understanding how populations are connected
would make it possible to identify populations vulnerable to extinction due to low levels of external
recruitment, identify genetically appropriate populations for restocking degraded environments,
optimise networks of marine protected areas so that gene flow between protected areas is possible, and
predict how marine populations may be altered by a changing climate.
I am using molecular techniques to examine connectivity amongst New Zealand estuaries using the
common cockle (Austrovenus stutchburyi) as a model organism. A comparison of the genetic makeup
of cockle populations from around New Zealand will reveal where population subdivision occurs
inferring the location of barriers to larval transport. This information can then be used to drive research
into the physical processes that determine rates of inter-population larval transport.
The NZMSS student research grant I received was used to fund several cockle collecting expeditions.
Over a 12 month period I was able to collect cockles from more than 60 estuaries throughout New
Zealand. The mitochondrial gene COI has been sequenced for cockles from 26 of these estuaries with
results suggesting the existence of three or four subpopulations. Areas of particular interest across
which limited dispersal might occur are East Cape and the Wairarapa coast, North Cape and Cook
Strait. Further research is now being conducted using populations from additional estuaries and fast
evolving genetic markers to improve the spatial resolution at which population subdivision can be
detected and subpopulations defined.
Highlights of the collecting trips included visits to some remote and fairly pristine estuaries such as
Karamea on the west coast and Parengarenga in Northland. This was in stark contrast to highly
impacted estuaries around some of our bigger cities. More challenging moments were had while
sampling around Otago, the Catlins and Bluff. If it wasn’t sleeting it was snowing down to sea level
and the wind was blowing 40-50kts. It was obviously worth the pain to complete my collection but in
future I’ll plan southern collecting trips for summer.
Thanks again to the NZMSS for providing this funding. The award made it possible to expand the
scope of the project and has allowed me to ask some fairly ambitious questions. Presenting this research
during a plenary session at the 2008 conference (a condition of the award) was a daunting but
ultimately rewarding experience that led to introductions and discussions with researchers from a
number of areas in marine science.
Stay tuned for more results over the next year.
27
THE NEW ZEALAND MARINE SCIENCES SOCIETY AWARD
This highly prestigious award was inaugurated in 1985. Recipients of the award are chosen by the
Council from nominations that can be submitted by any member of the Society. Nominations are
considered annually but the Council need not present an award each year.
The award is a bronze sculpture in the form of the internal spire
of a gastropod shell. It was designed and manufactured by
Wellington artist Nick Dryden, and comes with an engraved
plaque. The award carries with it lifetime membership of the
Society.
The award recognises “a person’s continued outstanding
contribution to marine science in New Zealand”. The three
awards bestowed in the inaugural year, to scientists considered
to be “founders of marine science in New Zealand”, honoured
work on ocean physics, marine geology and marine ecology, and the subsequent 13 recipients to date
have made their contributions across an equally broad spectrum of our marine science.
Nomination Procedure
Any Society member can make a nomination (in writing) to the Secretary. The nomination need only be
a short statement but it should concisely specify the major achievements of the nominee that would
make them a worthy recipient of the award. The Council may seek further information about the
nominee. The Council will choose the recipient from the nominations, and all nominations remain
confidential to the Council. The award is presented at the NZMSS annual conference. The award need
not be given every year.
NZMSS Award for Lifetime Achievement 2008
Dr. Malcolm Francis
This year’s NZMSS Award goes to an active and highly productive
scientific researcher, diver and underwater photographer. For more than
30 years he has contributed to both New Zealand and international
marine science. He has conducted research on the biogeography of NZ
and Pacific Island fish communities; the distribution and biology of
various sharks; biodiversity and habitat use of fishes in estuaries; and
made numerous contributions to educational material.
With such a wide range of interests, he has published widely and has also
authored or contributed to a number of significant books. These books
reflect the successful combination of his broad scientific knowledge with
his stunning underwater photography. His photographs have won
awards at the prestigious Oceans underwater photographic competitions
and he was the founding president of the Wellington branch of the
Underwater Photographic Society of New Zealand.
28
NZMSS Award Past Winners
Year Recipient
Conference Venue
(University, except where specified)
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Jim Brodie, George Knox, Norm Barber
Howard Choat
no award
John Morton
no award
Pat Bergquist
Ron Heath
no nomination
no nomination
Janet Grieve
Vivienne Cassie-Cooper
Chris Francis
John Jillett
no award
Lionel Carter
Bob Creese
Bruce Hayward
Bill Ballantine
Dave Schiel
no award
Dennis Gordon
No award
Wendy Nelson
Malcolm Francis
(* AMSA = Australian Marine Sciences Association)
29
Canterbury
Victoria
Otago
Auckland
Wellington (National Museum)
Waikato
Wellington (National Museum)
Otago
Nelson (Quality Hotel)
Waikato
Victoria
Canterbury
Auckland (joint with AMSA*)
Otago
Victoria
Waikato
Townsville (joint with AMSA*)
Nelson (Rutherford Hotel)
Auckland and AUT
Otago
Victoria
Nelson (Rutherford Hotel)
Waikato
Canterbury (joint with AMSA*)
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF MARINE AND FRESHWATER
RESEARCH
PAPERS PUBLISHED IN 2008
Volume 42 comprises 45 scientific papers, 5 book reviews, and 1 erratum published in four issues (a
total of 473 p.).
PAPERS SUBMITTED IN 2008
A total of 65 papers were submitted in 2008, of which 50% were focused on freshwater and 50% on
marine research (excluding one late submission for the special issue, the proceedings of the 8th
International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and Management, Canada, 2007).
New Zealand researchers submitted 77% of manuscripts compared with 25% of submissions by
overseas authors. The main New Zealand sources (as a percentage of the total) were: National Institute
of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited (22%), University of Otago (15%), Massey University (9%),
miscellaneous research organisations (6%), University of Auckland (5%); University of Canterbury,
Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, Environment Waikato and Cawthron
Institute each contributed 3% of submitted papers; AgResearch and Auckland University of
Technology each contributed 2% of papers. Overseas papers were from Australia (11%), Europe (5%),
Asia (3%), Central and South America (3%), and North America (3%).
Papers were reviewed by 258 referees in 27 countries, with 90% of referees being from overseas: North
America (43%), Europe (24%), Australia (17%), Central and South America (2%), Asia (2%), Israel and
South Africa (2%).
The rejection rate for papers submitted in 2008 is currently 17% (not including withdrawn and lapsed
manuscripts).
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
At the end of 2008, Dan McClary (who was also Chair) completed his term on the Board. Dan is
thanked for his support and contribution during the last seven years.
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research depends on the support it receives from
authors, reviewers, readers, and subscribers. Many thanks to everyone who supported the Journal in
2008.
Katrin Berkenbusch
Scientific Editor
March 2009
Endorsed by the Editorial Advisory Board
30
NZMSS CONFERENCE 2008
Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems
Held at Canterbury University, Christchurch, 7 – 11 July 2008
Welcome from the Host Organisation
The Marine Ecology Research Group takes considerable pride in organising and hosting this joint
meeting of NZMSS and AMSA at the University of Canterbury. These societies have long and
distinguished histories in supporting marine science in New Zealand and Australia, and in offering
annual meetings for highlighting current research. This is one of the largest meetings yet held by the
societies, with over 350 registrants, 239 speakers and 70 posters being presented. Both societies have
also been strong supporters of student research, and many older scientists in both countries will have
given their first conference presentation at such a gathering. In that light, we have 83 student talks and
45 poster presentations this year from students, along with travel awards to all and numerous prizes
targeted to them.
This year’s theme of Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems encompasses much of the science we
do, especially when funded by government agencies that have social and management mandates. We
hope that this conference highlights the fact that good science must underpin good management, and
that quality marine science is different from environmentalism. Our plenary speakers touch on many
facets of this theme in different components of marine ecosystems. The plenary speakers include the
most recent recipients of each society's premier achievement award.
One of the main purposes of these gatherings is to provide a salubrious environment that is conducive
to social and scientific interchange among all participants. To that end, there are several social functions
that should smooth the way for easily meeting each other. These functions, as well as prizes, teas and
lunches, were made possible by the generous support of 21 sponsors, who are acknowledged earlier.
“Sustainability” is another key theme of the Marine Ecology Research Group and University of
Canterbury. A conference such as this would normally go through around 5000 cups, almost all of
which are used once and then thrown away. Conference bags gather dust and are rarely used again. We
are trying something different this year, but it will only work with your cooperation and goodwill.
Each registrant is issued with a re-usable shopping bag (instead of the normal conference bag), a water
bottle and a nice coffee/tea/water mug. We ask you to hang on to these and use them throughout the
conference. We will even provide the means to keep the mugs hygienic (although, judging from what
we have seen of coffee cups in most labs, this will be an improvement).
We thank the chief Organisers Dr Michael Hickford and Kerry O’Connell; the rest of the Organising
Committee: Assoc Prof Colin McLay, Assoc Prof Islay Marsden, Dr Fred Wells, Dr Anthony Boxshall;
and stalwart helper and logo designer Genny Schiel.
Enjoy the conference!
David R Schiel (Prof) and Marine Ecology Research Group
University of Canterbury
31
Welcome from the NZMSS Council
The Council of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society welcomes all delegates to this joint NZMSS/AMSA
conference. An especially warm welcome is extended to our Australian cousins. It’s great to see so many of
you here. It is a chance for us to renew old friendships and to make new ones.
We look forward to hearing some strong science stories over the coming days. The conference theme—
Human impacts and functioning ecosystems—is highly relevant to both countries as we attempt to put in
place the science that can help to document, explore, explain and suggest just how our marine ecosystems
have responded, or will respond, to a plethora of impacts ranging from one-off and local, to long-term and
widespread.
Hopefully you will take away more than you arrived with, whether that is new contacts and friendships or
new science insights, opportunities and collaborations.
We look forward to meeting you over the week.
NZMSS Council
7 July 2008
Welcome from AMSA
On behalf of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, I warmly welcome all delegates to the 2008 joint
meeting of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and AMSA in Christchurch. The conference offers
marine scientists in Australia and New Zealand an unparalleled opportunity to get together and share
insights into the marine worlds of the two countries. The two societies met together very successfully in both
Auckland in 1997 and later in Townsville. It is exciting to be able to once again have a joint conference and
catch up with colleagues from our own and the other country and meeting new people with shared interests.
The conference looks to be an outstanding event. While I do not have the final figures, there will be well over
300 marine people participating in the conference. The theme Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems
provides a timely opportunity to examine how the growing human population and increasing use of
technology are impacting marine ecosystems.
Both AMSA and NZMSS operate largely on the goodwill and extensive efforts of our members. Organising a
scientific meeting of this size is a challenge to anyone. The challenge is even greater when the people
involved are employed full time and are doing this in addition to their other extensive commitments. As
recently as a decade or two ago organising conferences and being active in scientific societies was seen by
many organisations as part of the job. Work pressures have escalated dramatically in recent years in
Australia and this is no longer seen as “core business”. I am sure the same has occurred in New Zealand. The
conference would not have happened without the extensive work of a dedicated core of marine people from
Christchurch who have done all the legwork and planning for the conference. Our sincerest of thanks goes to
all of the NZ conference organising committee who have put in countless hours of voluntary work to make
the conference the outstanding success that I am sure it will be.
AMSA would also like to express gratitude to our major Australian sponsors for the conference: CSIRO
Marine Research, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Geoscience Australia, and the Western Australian
Department of Fisheries. The continuing support of all these agencies is highly valued and critical to a
successful meeting.
In closing, I wish all of you full enjoyment of the joint NZMSS-AMSA conference and all the activities that it
entails. I hope the AMSA members have the opportunity to get out of the conference rooms after the
conference and see a bit of this beautiful South Island of New Zealand before heading back to Australia!
Fred Wells
President, AMSA
32
Prizes Awarded
Michele Carter - Best Research Talk
The NZ Seafood Industry Council Ltd ($250)
Jade Berman - Best Poster Presentation
The NZ Seafood Industry Council Ltd ($250)
Claire Biggs - Best use of Quantitative Methodology
Ministry of Fisheries Talk ($400)
Rebecca McLeod - Best Marine Reserve Research Talk
Department of Conservation ($300)
Laura Fletcher - Best Presentation in Applied Ecology
Golder Associates ($300)
Brian Miller - Creativity and innovation in marine science
Benthic Science Ltd ($250)
Kathrin Bolstad - Taxonomic Awareness & Excellence
Benthic Science Ltd ($250)
Amelia Connell
Stock Monitoring Services Ltd ($250)
Laura Wicks - best talk that contributed to the scientific development of marine science
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology ($250)
Rijal Idrus - Best Conservation Talk
Society for Conservation Biology (Two year membership to SCB and subscription to Conservation
Biology)
33
Abstracts for Keynote Presentations
ECOLOGY AND HUMAN IMPACTS: WHY ECOLOGY IS LOSING OUT TO ENVIRONMENTALISM
Antony Underwood
University of Sydney
Tony is an ecologist working on rocky shores, mangrove forests and other coastal
habitats, using manipulative experiments to try to distinguish among alternative
models to explain phenomena, patterns and puzzles I encounter. Tony has a
Personal Chair in Experimental Ecology at the University of Sydney and is a
University Professor. His work has caused him to become fascinated by relevant
ecological and biological issues in experimental and sampling designs and he has
derived considerable pleasure from being privileged to supervise numerous Ph.D.
students.
This talk will draw on years of frustration due to trying to get much better ecological outcomes from
involvement with governmental so-called managers of resources and of environmental issues. There
has never been greater ecological capacity to solve real problems in sustainability of resources,
rehabilitation of degraded habitat, sustaining ecological processes, conserving biodiversity, assessment
and interpretation of environmental impacts. Yet, there has never been so little notice taken of it.
Agencies and government departments prefer to defer to the invisible expertise of the unaccountable
authorities called local environmental groups. This has led to poorer outcomes, waste of money and a
shortage of decent, relevant ecological studies. Marine ecologists are also to blame for not insisting on
better training, greater accountability of the science and much more consistent critical analysis of our
own discipline. These will be discussed and exemplified probably with increasing shrillness, during the
talk.
HUMAN IMPACTS ON ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN COASTAL SOFT-SEDIMENT HABITATS
Andrew Lohrer
NIWA, Hamilton
Drew came to National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
from the USA in 2002 (BS from University of California San Diego, PhD from
University of Connecticut, Research Coordinator at University of South Carolina
Baruch Marine Field Laboratory), where he studied the mechanisms and
consequences of non-indigenous species invasions in rocky intertidal and
saltmarsh tidal creek systems. Drew’s present focus is benthic soft-sediment
community ecology and the functions performed by large burrowing macrofauna
in marine soft-sediment habitats.
Several of the most serious anthropogenic stressors affecting coastal seafloor habitats will be introduced
and, within this context, recent research on how resultant biodiversity losses may alter the functioning
of New Zealand’s estuarine and coastal ecosystems will be presented. Insights for intertidal flats and
subtidal seafloor sediments will be shared, with examples of how declines in key bioturbators may
affect sediment productivity, nutrient regeneration and macrofaunal community composition.
34
RECOVERY
AND
RESILIENCE
ALONG
INTERTIDAL
GRADIENTS:
MAKING
WRONG
PREDICTIONS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
David Schiel
University of Canterbury
Ecologists worldwide are increasingly being called on not only to provide
basic understanding of natural ecosystems to underpin management, but
also to provide forecasts or predictions of changes in the face of many
potential stressors. The common response for simple things is "it ain't rocket
science". In the case of ecological science, however, accurate and precise
predictions are far more complicated than in almost all other systems: it's as
if the rocket continually changes shape, the fuel is variable in effect,
trajectories are not constant, and everything is different depending on when
the rocket was fired. In benthic marine communities, species and
interactions change over usually abrupt gradients, and the loss or reduction
in some species can trigger great changes in others. Here, I discuss predictions of recovery and
resilience in southern intertidal communities, highlighting the often poor resolution of forecasts based
on general models of recovery and resilience, and the need for specific knowledge about some species,
particularly key habitat-formers.
ITINERANT
TRAVELERS: HAVE WE UNDERESTIMATED THE RATES OF IMMIGRATION AND
ESTABLISHMENT BY MARINE INVADERS?
Graeme Inglis
NIWA
Biological invasions are often depicted as a series of stages through which an
organism must pass to become a pest; from uptake and carriage by a human
transport pathway, through release and establishment of self-sustaining
populations in a novel environment, to subsequent spread and impact. Each
stage presents different physiological and demographic challenges that not all
species are able to negotiate. Popular portrayals of the strength of selection at
each stage give the impression that successful invasions are comparatively rare,
stochastic events achieved from initially small founding populations that
somehow overcome low genetic diversity and high extinction risk to become extremely abundant and
widespread (the "invasion paradox"). In island biogeography and conservation theory the persistence
of small populations is highly dependent on immigration rate. I discuss the results of recent research
which suggests that founder effects may be less common and repeat introductions more frequent than
appreciated in the dynamics of marine invasions. These findings have implications for understanding
of the divergent ecology often exhibited by invasive species in their native and non-native ranges. The
number of marine species transported daily by shipping remains high, despite international measures
to reduce the problem. Projected growth in maritime trade will see the world shipping fleet increase in
number, size and speed over the coming decade. The implications of this growth on rates of
immigration of marine species will be discussed in the context of recent research on ballast water and
hull fouling pathways for marine invaders.
35
EVERYTHING
IS TURBULENT, STRATIFIED AND WAVY: PHYSICAL INFLUENCES ON MARINE
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING.
Craig Stevens
NIWA, Wellington
Craig is Principal Scientist - Marine Physics at NIWA Greta Point with interests in
environmental fluid mechanics. He received his PhD from the University of Western
Australia and held an NSERC International Postdoctoral Fellowship in Canada before
moving to New Zealand. Current interests include small scale mixing in Antarctic waters,
hydrodynamics of aquaculture, seaweed propagule dispersal, marine energy and air sea
interaction.
The functioning of marine ecosystems is intimately linked with fluid mechanical
processes at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Fundamental processes such as
transport and mixing are driven by energy across a spectrum of scales. Partitioning
of this spectrum is controlled by phenomena such as turbulence, buoyancy
stratification and waves. This partitioning, and its variability, influences ecosystem functioning in a
wide variety of ways. Implicit in this work is the need to work at a number of scales – essentially
spanning the spectrum from where energy is injected into an ecosystem, where it directly influences
entities and linkages within an ecosystem and finally, to where the energy is dissipated. In this talk I
will consider how these physical processes connect with ecosystem function, how new methodologies
for understanding energy transfer are rapidly evolving and, with the growing awareness of the true
complexity of marine systems, pathways for integrating physical understanding into multi-disciplinary
studies. This integration is vital if we are to truly address human influence via “impact, threats and
modification”.
CALCIFIED
MACROALGAE
-
CRITICAL TO COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND VULNERABLE TO
CHANGE
Wendy Nelson
NIWA
2007 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Award recipient
Calcified macroalgae are distributed in marine habitats
from polar to tropical latitudes and from intertidal shores
to the deepest reaches of the euphotic zone. These algae
play critical ecological roles including being key to
certain invertebrate recruitment processes, and
providing structural strength in coral reef ecosystems. In
addition,
calcified
macroalgae
are
significant
contributors to the deposition of carbonates in coastal environments. These organisms are vulnerable to
human-induced changes in the environment, such as altered patterns of sedimentation,
pollution/eutrophication of coastal waters, as well as climate change, with the availability of carbon in
seawater affected by temperature, atmospheric concentrations and acidification.
36
FOOD
WEB AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN
FIORDLAND:
IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL
MANAGEMENT OF THE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM
Stephen Wing
University of Otago
Steve is an Associate Professor of marine ecology in the Marine Sciences Department
at Otago University. His recent research interests have focussed on population and
food web structure in Fiordland.
The landscape of Fiordland and its pristine forested catchments provide an
extant example of a relatively undisturbed coastal ecosystem. Ecological
studies from a 10 year research programme on population structure of marine
invertebrates and fishes as well as on food web structure among the fjords
have provided an important context in which to assess human impacts and
inform management decision making in the region. Marine habitats of the
inner fjords are divided among a series of basins each with distinct transport patterns, likely dominated
by estuarine circulation. The resulting limitation on larval dispersal may isolate populations within
some fjords. Examples are given for several benthic invertebrates with evidence from genetic studies
and from direct observations of population dynamics. Strong physical gradients between the wave
swept outer coast and the inner fjord catchments influence the composition of carbon sources to benthic
food webs. Studies using stable isotope tracers have indicated that organic matter from recycled forest
litter forms an abundant source of carbon for benthic food webs in the inner fjords. Population
structure of sea urchins (Evechinus chloroticus) provides an important example for the influence of
both transport patterns and strong gradients in benthic productivity on metapopulation structure. This
example and other ecological studies are considered in the context of the Fiordland Marine
Management Act 2005 and formal establishment of spatial management of biodiversity and fisheries in
the region.
MOLLUSCS - OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Winston Ponder
Australian Museum
2008 Australian Marine Sciences Association Silver Jubilee prize winner
Molluscs are ecologically important in all marine environments, are an
important source of food and ornaments and are increasingly significant as a
resource for pharmaceutical products and as experimental animals. Despite
comprising a significant component of marine diversity, their study is largely
neglected in Australia but nevertheless has great potential. A brief review of
their diversity, utility and some current areas of research is given. While many
molluscs have wide distributions, some have very limited ranges. These latter
are highly susceptible to environmental changes and commercial and amateur harvesting, as are those
with large body size and low fecundity. While the potential impacts of climate change are well known,
their effects on marine molluscs have hardly been considered. Increasing ocean acidification will
dissolve the calcium carbonate shells of molluscs, in particular the very thin and fragile shells of their
larvae. There will be changes to distributions and assessing these will be problematic in many groups
because of the lack of reliable historical and contemporary data. Museum mollusc collections contain
some of the best distributional information for any group of marine animals. These data could provide
a benchmark for monitoring distributional changes brought on by climate change, but to date are
largely unutilised. Increased research efforts are needed to assess these challenges.
37
WHERE
ARE YOU GOING, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
WHAT
WE CAN LEARN ABOUT
POPULATION CONNECTIVITY FROM COCKLE DNA
Philip Ross
University of Waikato
2007 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Student Research Grant recipient
For many marine benthic invertebrates dispersal over large distances is only
possible during a planktonic larval phase. Understanding dispersal patterns
is critical for predicting a population's response to human activities and
environmental change, as resilience or recovery will depend on
recolonisation from neighbouring intact habitats. Potential barriers to
dispersal have been identified at large spatial scales in genetic studies of
marine invertebrate populations in New Zealand. However, information at
smaller scales is required for predicting inter-population connectivity, identifying populations
vulnerable to extinction and designing networks of marine protected areas. Estuaries provide an
opportunity to study the mechanisms that influence gene flow between populations, as they are
spatially discrete habitat units with hydrographic barriers that limit dispersal. Here, we examine interestuary dispersal and population connectivity of the common cockle Austrovenus stutchburyi, a
suspension feeding bivalve occurring in sheltered harbours and estuaries throughout New Zealand. We
present an analysis of 275 Austrovenus COI sequences from 23 sites indicating that at large spatial
scales limited gene flow is occurring between northern and southern populations and between
populations on the east and west coasts of the North Island. At smaller spatial scales we use DNA
fingerprinting to test specific hypotheses regarding the importance of hydrodynamics, distance and
larval biology in determining patterns of connectivity amongst New Zealand's estuaries.
38
Abstracts for Oral Presentations
CRYOPRESERVATION OF GREENSHELL MUSSEL (PERNA CANCALICULUS) SPERM AND POST-THAW
FERTILITY IMPROVEMENT USING SPERM MOTILITY STIMULANTS
Serean Adams • [email protected]
John Smith
Samantha Gale • [email protected]
Rodney Roberts
H. Tervit
Stephen Webb
Lindsay McGowan
Cryopreservation supports selective breeding enabling gametes to be stored from superior stock and
used to create new families. It also allows hatcheries to produce spat year-round without having to
condition adults out of season. Towards this goal, we are developing cryopreservation methods for
Greenshell™ mussel sperm. The effect of various cryoprotectants on post-thaw fertilization success was
evaluated on sperm frozen at 4°C min-1 to -75°C then plunged into liquid nitrogen. Dimethyl
sulphoxide (Me2SO) was the most effective cryoprotectant at a final concentration of 12%. A more
detailed investigation of a range of Me2SO concentrations made up in either seawater or Milli-Q
showed that 8 or 10% Me2SO in seawater or 12% Me2SO in Milli-Q water were equally effective. Further
experiments indicated that the addition of trehalose at a low concentration (0.25 M) was beneficial.
However, post-thaw fertility using a Me2SO/trehalose combination remained extremely variable
amongst sperm from both individual males and pools of different males. Research is on-going towards
improving post-thaw fertility and larval yield so that cryopreservation can be robustly applied in
selective breeding. One approach is to use motility stimulants. Pentoxyfylline and caffeine were
evaluated at a range of concentrations (1-20 mM). The stimulants had little effect on post-thaw motility
scores, however fertilization markedly increased at the lowest concentrations (1 mM). This
improvement resulted in a 10 fold reduction in the concentration of thawed sperm required to achieve
50% fertilization. Further work is necessary to determine the optimum stimulant concentrations and
what effect, if any, the stimulants have on subsequent embryo development.
USING A MARINE PROTECTED AREA TO TEST THE RESPONSE OF MOBILE MACROINVERTEBRATES TO
REEF STRUCTURE AND FISHING IN TEMPERATE WATERS
Tim Alexander • [email protected]
Graham Edgar
Neville Barrett
The association between subtidal rocky reef structure and the density of mobile macroinvertebrates was
tested in and around a long-standing marine protected area (MPA) on the east coast of Tasmania. The
influence of the MPA and interactions with reef structure on the response of invertebrates to the MPA
was explored using historical data from before protection came into effect. Substratum type (percent
cover of different sized boulders, bedrock and sand), rugosity and the density of potential refuges were
surveyed with invertebrates at a hierarchy of three spatial scales. Generalised linear models were used
to identify the optimal combinations of reef structure measurements to explain spatial variation of
species richness, total abundance of invertebrates and the abundance of numerically dominant
taxonomic classes and focal species at each scale. Spatial variability of total abundance of invertebrates
was best explained by the factor MPA, substratum composition and the density of small refuges at the
transect (1 x 50 m, 44% variability explained) and site (1 x 200 m, 62% variability explained) scales. The
39
number of refuge size classes present in 1 x 5 metre sample blocks explained 30% of spatial variability
of invertebrate species richness while no measured physical variables were significant for this response
at the two broader survey scales. Regressing the net change of each response over 15 years of protection
from fishing against the reef structure and the factor MPA showed that the MPA had a significant
influence on most responses tested. Species richness remained steady at MPA sites while external sites
suffered almost universal decreases emphasizing the importance of MPAs as tools for the conservation
of marine biodiversity. Reef structure has an important role in spatially organizing invertebrate
communities but appeared to have little influence on the response of animals to protection from fishing.
THE AUSTRALIAN INTEGRATED MARINE OBSERVING SYSTEM—OVERVIEW
Simon Allen • [email protected]
Gary Meyers
The Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is a $92M project established with $50M from the
National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and co-investments from 10
Universities and government agencies. A nationally distributed set of equipment established and
maintained at sea, streams of oceanographic data and information services contributing to the needs of
marine research in both open oceans and coastal oceans around Australia. In particular, if sustained in
the long term, it will permit identification and management of climate change in the marine
environment. As an NCRIS project IMOS is intended to support research. The data streams are also
useful for many social, environmental and economic applications, such as management of offshore
industries, safety at sea, management of marine ecosystems and tourism. The infrastructure contributes
to Australia's commitments to international programs. IMOS consists of nine national facilities that
collect data, using different components of infrastructure and instruments, and two facilities that
manage and provide access to data and enhanced data products, one for in situ data and a second for
remotely sensed satellite data. The observing facilities include Argo Australia, Enhanced Ships of
Opportunity and Southern Ocean Time Series, Moorings, Ocean Gliders and HF Radar, and Acoustic
Tagging and Tracking, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle and a biophysical sensor network on the
Great Barrier Reef. The value from this infrastructure investment lies in the coordinated deployment of
a wide range of equipment aimed at deriving critical data sets that serve multiple applications.
(http://www.imos.org.au).
HOW LOGIC MODELS CAN HELP EVALUATE INTEGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT POLICES
THAT SUPPORT THE COASTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Will Allen • [email protected]
Clare Feeney
Matthew Davis
Claudia Hellberg
The biggest threats to marine environment health, productivity and biodiversity result from human
activities on land, with coastal urban centres providing particular challenges. For example, the single
biggest impact on coastal and marine ecosystems surrounding the Auckland region’s urban areas
results from stormwater discharges. Increasingly, policy makers are adopting integrated approaches to
plan for and manage our uses of land and water i response to these issues. One of the greatest
challenges is to build evaluation mechanisms into these processes to allow for learning, outcome
monitoring and programme review and adjustment by all concerned. This presentation outlines how
the Auckland Regional Council’s Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMPs) team used logic
40
models as an evaluation framework in order to overcome these challenges. The models provide a
diagrammatic overview of complex, multi-party catchment management programmes; they describe
logical linkages among programme resources, activities, stakeholders, and outcomes related to a
specific problem or situation. We integrated into the logic models an order of outcomes approach
which acknowledges the long time frames involved and helps us identify the sequences of institutional,
behavioural and social/environmental changes that can lead to more sustainable forms of urban
development. Importantly, once a programme has been described in terms of the logic model, critical
measures of performance for each of these sequences can be identified. By involving other groups in the
development of the logic models, the ICMP team have been able to use the exercise to build more
awareness of the need for change as well as further strengthening key relationships. Finally this
presentation looks at the lessons learnt from this exercise and suggests how this evaluation approach
could be used to support integrated management initiatives in other areas and policy settings.
METHODS AND CHALLENGES IN IDENTIFYING AND MAPPING SOCIAL VALUES AROUND THE NEW
ZEALAND COASTLINE
Will Allen • [email protected]
Ibrahim Elmetri
Sara Clarke
Kim Clark
To guide pre-incursion risk assessment and planning, and to focus post-incursion response action,
Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) is running a project to define the social, cultural, environmental and
economic values present around the New Zealand coastline. This presentation outlines the lessons
learnt in managing the social valuation strand of this work. As all values have a social aspect to them,
there were particular challenges in identifying the scope of this strand. The lack of consistent national
data available on coastal social issues provided another major challenge for the team. This presentation
outlines the steps taken to define social values in a way that was most useful for BNZ. Attention was
paid to understanding how to deal with emergent values that are not present until a problem arises.
The identified values were then grouped into three broad classes comprising use/utility values,
meaning values, and stakeholder involvement. We highlight how we identified specific values within
these general classes, and mapped these so they can be evaluated on a national scale. In many cases we
had to develop new data sets from expert knowledge and experience. We also discuss the approaches
used to differentiate individual value sets by the use of unique characteristics. Finally we draw
attention to how these methods can be used in other situations, and how they serve to identify common
ground, build stronger links between stakeholders and create new partnerships which support the
marine and coastal environment.
COMPARISON OF BACTERIAL DIVERSITY BETWEEN CHEMOTYPES OF THE NEW ZEALAND MARINE
SPONGE MYCALE HENTSCHELI
Sally Anderson • [email protected]
Michael Page
Studies investigating the chemical diversity of the New Zealand marine sponge Mycale hentscheli, have
revealed the presence of M. hentscheli populations having distinct chemical morphotypes at two
locations in Pelorus Sound (Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand). M. hentscheli located at Capsize Point
produce the bioactive compound Peloruside A (Pel A), while M. hentscheli at Tennyson Inlet do not.
41
These distinctive chemotypes are geographically separated by less than 10 km. Cytochrome oxidase
subunit 1 (CO1) gene sequencing to examine genetic relatedness established that the M. hentscheli
chemotypes from both locations were genetically identical. To investigate possible bacterial
involvement in Pel A production, DGGE was used to characterise and compare the diversity of the
sponge-associated bacterial community between both chemotypes. DGGE fingerprint profiles of 16S
rRNA genes showed that fingerprints were similar between chemotypes but that some DGGE bands
were specific to each chemotype. Individual DGGE bands were sequenced and showed highest
sequence similarity to the alpha and gamma-proteobacteria, with a cyanobacterial symbiont specific to
a M. hentscheli host also identified. 16S rDNA libraries were constructed from Pel A-positive and Pel Anegative sponge. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 556 randomly selected
sponge-derived clones resulted in 176 major restriction patterns (OTU's). Of these, 54 and 75 unique
OTU's were identified from the Pel A-positive and Pel A-negative sponge clone libraries respectively.
Forty-seven OTU's, totalling 381 individual clones, were shared between the Pel A-positive and Pel Anegative clone libraries. It appears that there is considerable conservation in the sponge-associated
bacterial communities between the two chemical morphotypes, adding to the challenge of identifying
specific bacterial strains that might be responsible for Pel A production in M. hentscheli.
CHARACTERISING SEABED HABITATS AND BIOTA IN REAL-TIME FROM TOWED VIDEO OBSERVATIONS
Tara Anderson • [email protected]
Acoustic data can now be collected and processed at sea. In contrast biological information has required
costly post-processing that can take years to complete, making it incommensurate with the short time
scales set out for mapping and managing marine systems. Here, I present a method for collecting
abiotic and biotic characterizations of the seabed in real-time. Abiotic and biotic seabed
characterizations were collected from the Faust and Capel Basins located 800 km northeast of Brisbane,
and an adjacent seamount, the Gifford Guyot. These areas were surveyed in October-November 2007 as
part of Geoscience Australia's offshore energy security program, focused on remote offshore marine
environments. Seabed habitats were acoustically mapped using an EM300 multibeam sonar system.
Abiotic and biotic seabed characterizations were then recorded from video-transects using a deep-sea
towed camera system (forward-facing video camera with paired-lasers projected onto the seabed to
provide visual reference to size objects and organisms). Seabed habitats and the occurrence of macrobiota were categorized in real-time at approximately 30 second intervals along each video-transects
using a three-tiered characterization scheme that described substratum type, physical structure (i.e.,
bedform or vertical relief), and occurrence of benthic macro-organisms. Characterizations were
annotated quickly using a programmable keypad and using navigational software captured ships
navigation with each data entry. Seabed characterizations were interrogated and mapped over data
layers (e.g., multibeam bathymetry) within hours of data collection, and combined with the ability to
collect fine-scale abiotic and biotic information over large study areas provides an invaluable tool for
scientists and managers.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR MARINE BIOSECURITY
Bex Ansell • [email protected]
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is working in partnership with other agencies to develop practical and
pragmatic approaches to managing the risks posed by harmful marine organisms within New Zealand.
This talk will outline how a partnership approach can build local marine biosecurity capability, using
the Top Of The South marine biosecurity partnership (TOTS) as an example. The talk will also highlight
42
the lessons learnt from recent work to develop control tools and understand management options for
the invasive sea squirt Didemnum vexillum in the Marlborough Sounds. The presenter, Bex Ansell, will
also describe the future approach to coordinating management of harmful marine organisms at a
national level.
OBSERVATIONS OF ESTUARINE CIRCULATION
Cerys Bailey • [email protected]
Ross Vennell
The classical approach to understanding estuarine circulation, as attributed to Hansen and Rattray
(1965), has been to assume a steady state balance between the barotropic and baroclinic forces.
However, this use of tidal means may not allow the interdependence of the salinity and circulation
fields to be accurately represented, illlustrating the need to focus on second order effects such as tidal
straining and secondary circulation. Tidal straining, due to the reduction in horizontal fluid
displacement towards the bed, may result in periodic stratification on the flood and convective
overturning on the ebb, subsequently influencing the turbulent flow (Simpson et al., 2005). In order to
elaborate upon the present observations of tidal straining a 13 hr boat based longitudinal transect
survey was undertaken on the Taieri River. The data collected included salinity and temperature
surface traces and casts, as well as Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler obtained current data. Initial
analysis has indicated the presence of tidal straining through the tidal change in top-bottom salinity
difference and velocity shear. It is hoped that these tidal fluctuations will enable observations of the
longitudinal variations in tidal straining to be clearly described. Hansen, DV and Rattray, M Jr (1965)
Gravitational Circulation in Straits and Estuaries. Journal of Marine Research, 23, 104-122 Simspon, JH,
Williams, E, Brasseur, LH and Brubaker, JM (2005) The Impact of Tidal Straining on the Cycle of
Turbulence in a Partially Stratified Estuary. Continental Shelf Research, 25, 51-64.
CREATING AND MAPPING INDICATORS OF ECONOMIC VALUE AT RISK IN THE NZ MARINE CONTEXT
Chris Batstone • [email protected]
Ibrahim Elmetri
Weimin Jiang
This presentation describes the approach taken to creating a set of indicators for the economic value
potentially at risk from marine pests that become established in New Zealand waters. The economic
indicators are a subset of a wider set of indicators incorporated into a GIS database system designed to
facilitate monitoring, prevention and incursion response decision making by MAF Biosecurity New
Zealand. The other components of the decision support system are cultural, social and environmental
values. The economic indicators describe three components: supply side, commercial fisheries and
premiums paid for unimproved coastal property. These components are mapped to three GIS layers
that express the values at risk at Statistics New Zealand area unit level and Ministry of Fisheries
statistical area units of data aggregation. The presentation highlights the challenges of aggregating
information from a number of sources to form meaningful 'fit for purpose' indicators from existing
secondary data sources.
43
MARINE BIODIVERSITY AND BIODISCOVERY IN AUSTRALASIA
Christopher Battershill • [email protected]
Elizabeth Evans-Illidge
P. Murphy
It is argued that there is a bright future in identifying biochemical leads for medicine and industry from
marine biodiversity. Novel classes of compounds demonstrating an exciting array of properties are
being discovered from some of the globes oldest genomes. When we look at those marine leads in late
phase pre-clinical or clinical trail we find that over 30% come from or have affinity with, Australasia,
despite arguably much lower sampling effort in that region. This may reflect a high biodiversity with
high levels of endemism represented in collections from the region to date, or perhaps a factor of microenvironments that promote expression of useful metabolites (in human terms), that have natural
defensive functionalities in nature. Australasia is exceptionally well positioned to participate and
prosper in the field of marine biodiscovery, because of a world-class biotechnology R&D base drawing
on a living and evolving library from over a 6th of the planets biosphere. Macro/micro-organism
assemblages are responding to multiple pressures with evolutionary process. Resilience is often
expressed as sophisticated ‘co-operation’ between marine macro-organism hosts and their symbionts in
rearranging associations and biochemical interactions. Research associated with explaining how marine
organisms cope with their micro-environments and adapt to change beyond their normal tolerances
additionally feeds research initiatives in the biodiscovery pipeline including ability to enhance the
search for natural products with specific functionalities and to supply them sustainably and
economically. Of note here is the recent advance in gene expression of target metabolites from highly
culturable vectors.
VALUING NEW ZEALAND'S MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Jenny Beaumont • [email protected]
Alison MacDiarmid
Megan Oliver
An estimated 65,000 marine species and associated ecosystems around New Zealand deliver a wide
range of environmental services that sustain considerable fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries.
However, to date there has been no attempt to map or estimate the value of New Zealand's marine
environment in a consistent or comprehensive way. We report on 14 attributes of marine
environmental value derived from 200 unique layers of environmental information ranging from
species occurrences to marine mammal breeding areas and habitat distribution. Using a Geographic
Information System, we identify areas with many coincident high estimated values (hot spots) and
areas with mostly low values (cold-spots). In addition, this study has highlighted large areas of
coastline that are data sparse and where future research efforts should be directed. This research is
likely to have a broad range of marine conservation, planning and management benefits.
44
IDENTIFYING THE RISKS TO CLOSE THE GAPS: MARINE BIOFOULING AND NEW ZEALAND’S
BIOSECURITY
Andrew Bell • [email protected]
Daniel Kluza
Effective biosecurity in the marine environment is heavily reliant on prevention. However, the closure
of all potential pathways is not possible, so New Zealand's biosecurity system operates on a process of
risk identification and mitigation. In the marine environment the key vector for the transfer of marine
organisms is shipping (both commercial and recreational). Vessels carry exotic organisms on the hull
and within the ballast tanks. Ballast water has received international attention, with impact
minimisation efforts such as mid-ocean exchange now being advanced to direct treatment technologies
with the likely adoption of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. Hull biofouling, however,
has received less attention and evidence suggests that it has probably been the vector for a greater
number of exotic species introductions into New Zealand. While biofouling has recently become a work
item for the IMO, international measures are unlikely to be available soon. Consequently, New Zealand
must act now to reduce the risk of new incursions of exotic marine species. This presentation will focus
primarily on recreational yachts, to discuss the process of hazard identification and risk analysis
required for the development of measures at the border that will mitigate the risks of bioinvasions of
New Zealand's marine environment.
DEVELOPING A SEAWEED BIOACTIVE INDUSTRY IN NEW ZEALAND: A HOLISTIC APPROACH
Tracey Bell • [email protected]
S. Carnachan
R. Falshaw
Seaweeds have been used worldwide as both foods and medicines for thousands of years. Over 800
species of seaweed are known to grow around the coastline of New Zealand and many of these species
are endemic to New Zealand. Industrial Research Ltd has a long history in seaweed polysaccharide
research. The focus of our current research has been to investigate and develop seaweed
polysaccharides as glycotherapeutics with the aim to “develop business opportunities for New Zealand
industry based on high-value polysaccharide products from seaweed”. We have taken a holistic
approach to this project in which issues of supply of resource are addressed, alongside the bioactivity
studies, and with consideration of scale-up processing, product development and marketing.
ANTICANCER COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINES FROM MURICID MOLLUSCS.
Kirsten Benkendorff • [email protected]
Cassandra McIver
Chantel Westley
Catherine Abbott
The Muricidae are a family of predatory marine molluscs well known for the production of the dye
Tyrian purple. Their purple secretion also forms the basis of a commercially available homeopathic
medicine called Murex, which is listed on the Materia Medica for a range of women’s problems,
including uterine cancer. Like most homeopathic remedies, Murex has never been tested for biological
activity or toxicity. However, a minor pigment of Tyrian purple and its intermediate dye precursors
(tyrindoleninone and 6 bromoisatin) have established in vitro anticancer activity. Consequently, our
45
aim was to compare the chemical composition and cytotoxic activities of the Murex remedy, against
organic extracts from the egg masses of the Australian Muricidae Dicathais orbita. Liquid
chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed only minor traces of 6 bromoisatin in the Murex remedy,
whereas D. orbita extracts were dominated by tyrindoleninone. A colorimetric (tetrazolium salt) cell
proliferation assay revealed no significant anticancer activity in the Murex remedy, whereas the D.
orbita extracts significantly inhibited a range of human carcinoma and lymphoma cell lines. The D.
orbita extracts were then tested for in vivo toxicity by daily oral administration to mice, at a maximum
dose of 1mg/ml. On day 14, the mice were euthanased and visceral organs (colon, small intestine, liver,
spleen, and kidneys) were removed surgically, weighed and fixed for histopathological analysis. No
significant differences were observed in the mice body or organ weights between treatments and
controls. The results from ongoing histopathology will also be presented. These findings highlight the
potential for optimizing Muricidae extracts for development as a complementary medicine for the
treatment of cancer.
DYNAMICAL BALANCE OF THE OTAGO HARBOUR EBB TIDAL JET DURING PEAK FLOW
Claire Biggs • [email protected]
Ross Vennell
Previous studies have described the spatial and temporal structure of a strong tidal ebb jet extending
seaward by more than 2 km from the Otago harbour entrance at peak ebb flow. In order to determine
the dynamics influencing the structure of this jet, ship-mounted ADCP data collected at the Otago
Harbour entrance over a tidal cycle was fitted using a Radial Basis Function (RBF) interpolation. This
allows predicting the depth averaged velocities at any location and time within the survey boundaries.
By differentiating the RBF interpolations the spatial patterns of dynamical terms of the depth-averaged
momentum equation can be obtained. The relative importance of the different dynamical terms
influencing the jet structure could thus be determined. During peak ebb flow advection dominates all
other dynamics, particularly close to the entrance with magnitudes reaching 1.5 x 10-3 ms-2. Of the
remaining terms bottom friction has the largest magnitude, peaking at 3.5 x 10-4 ms-2 around 1500 m
offshore as the jet shallows over a seaward sandbar. Horizontal friction is only significant near the
entrance (< 1.0 x 10-4 ms-2), while local acceleration is mainly affected by the sandbar (< 0.9 x 10-4 ms-2).
The Coriolis force has the lowest magnitudes of less than 2.5 x 10-5 ms-2. Since bottom friction dominates
frictional dissipation over most of the jet's extent the Otago Harbour ebb tidal jet is not the simple plane
jet dominated by horizontal friction assumed in previous work.
MAPPING SOCIAL VALUES IN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS
Barbara Bollard Breen • [email protected]
Daniel Breen
We conducted a survey of regular reef users in the Cairns Planning Area of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park, Australia, to obtain information on social conditions, perceptions of reef quality and levels
of acceptable use. Regular reef users were asked to describe reef environments and changes over time.
Information from the survey and observed levels of use (mainly tourism) were used to assess
management settings permitting different levels of use in the Cairns Area Plan of Management. This
research demonstrated that spatial and statistical approaches can be effectively used to integrate social
and ecological assessments for conservation.
The research also identified that clear objectives about what a particular marine protected area is to
achieve should be developed prior to the application of different management tools. The choice of
46
objectives is largely societal and should be developed by managers in consultation with stakeholders.
The success of any marine protected area is closely related to how well user groups and stakeholders
are identified and brought into the planning and management process.
SYSTEMATICS OF THE SQUID FAMILY ONYCHOTEUTHIDAE GRAY, 1847
Kathrin Bolstad • [email protected]
Squids in the family Onychoteuthidae Gray, 1847 have been reported from every ocean but the Arctic,
are taken frequently in deep-sea fisheries bycatch, and are ecologically important in the diets of many
marine predators including cetaceans, pinnipeds, sharks, and seabirds. However, the diversity and
systematics of the family have historically been poorly understood. Of the 60+ nominal species, 12-14
have generally been considered valid in recent studies. Challenges to clarity include insufficient species
descriptions, original descriptions published in eight languages and often based solely on early life
stages, lack of type material, and the existence of several unresolved species complexes. Following
examination of ~1500 onychoteuthid specimens from 19 international collections, a global systematic
revision of the Onychoteuthidae is presented, encompassing 27 species (six new) from seven genera
(one new). Systematic value of external and internal morphological characters and states are appraised,
including both historically important characters and more newly developed characters. Partial
disambiguation of the problematic Onychoteuthis banksii complex has been possible in the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans; the genus Moroteuthis Verrill, 1881 is considered a junior synonym of Onykia Lesueur,
1821; the genus Walvisteuthis Nesis, Roeleveld & Nikitina, 1986 (originally described in its own family,
Walvisteuthidae) is reattributed to the Onychoteuthidae; and the species 'Moroteuthis' knipovitchi
Filippova, 1972 is considered to represent an undescribed genus.
CARBONATE CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
Helen Bostock • [email protected]
Kim Currie
H. Neil
The oceans are absorbing a large percent of anthropogenic CO2, lowering pH and reducing the
carbonate ion concentrations. We have calculated carbonate saturation states at different depths for
several transects in the southwest Pacific. There are two main polymorphs of carbonate; calcite and
aragonite (a less stable carbonate mineral). The aragonite saturation horizon in the southwest Pacific is
approximately 1100 mbsl (metres below sea level) and the calcite saturation horizon is approximately
3000 mbsl. We compare the present calcite saturation horizon with carbonate content and
fragmentation ratios of foraminifera from core tops in the region. The core tops display distinct spatial
variations. Evidence from several sediment cores also suggests that the depth of the calcite saturation
horizon has varied temporally over glacial/interglacial timescales. The calcite saturation horizon in the
Tasman Sea is shallower during interglacials than during the glacial periods, similar to the records from
the Equatorial Pacific. The carbonate dissolution/ preservation story, however, is more complicated east
of New Zealand, due to shifting oceanic currents and considerable terrigenous and volcanic sediment
accumulation.
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IMPLEMENTING AND UTILISING COASTAL SPECTRAL LIBRARIES
Elizabeth Botha • [email protected]
Janet Anstee
Rebecca Edwards
In recent times, significant advances have been made by CSIRO Land & Water and other agencies
throughout Australia in the development of methods that support the consistent classification of
habitat condition and extent, based on remote sensing methods. Innovative work by CSIRO uses
spectral libraries (based on light absorption and reflectiveness) to detect coastal habitats and resource
condition (e.g. turbidity or productivity of systems). In order to assess the estuarine, coastal and marine
habitat extent from satellite imagery, parameterized by in situ spectral libraries, a set of standards for
the capture, storage and use of these spectral signature files was established as part of the National
Land and Water Resource Audit (NLWRA). This required the collation of existing libraries as a
validation product and as input to the image interpretation algorithms. Field data will be made
available for public access through information portals, such as the online OzCoast and OzEstuaries
(refer http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/). This will include metadata (what is measured, how, where and by
whom) and publicly available spectral data. This information portal will facilitate the development of
baseline and trend mapping products to allow for analysis of time series data. For example, the
methodology developed by CSIRO has been applied in the Wallis Lakes, NSW, to assess trends in
seagrass extent dating back to 1988, providing a direct input into priority setting and management. This
will also result in increased efficiencies and effectiveness and reduce the need for ongoing site based
monitoring in the future.
THE NEW ZEALAND IPY-CAML VOYAGE TO THE ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA
David Bowden • [email protected]
Stu Hanchet
Don Robertson
On 31 January 2008 New Zealand commenced one of the largest ever marine research voyages into the
Ross Sea region in support of the International Polar Year Census of Antarctic Marine Life (IPY-CAML).
The 50 day voyage on NIWA's research vessel Tangaroa involved an extensive survey of marine
organisms from viruses to blue whales in depths from the surface down to 3500 m, and from the
continental shelf and slope of the Ross Sea to unexplored seamounts and abyssal plains immediately to
the north. Pelagic and benthic sampling gears, including plankton nets, mid-water and demersal trawls,
seabed cameras, sleds, and corers were deployed in each habitat to address a broad range of research
programmes led by scientists from New Zealand research institutes and universities with collaborating
scientists from the USA and Italy. Despite some of the worst ice conditions for 30 years, a total of 282
gear deployments were made at 39 sites covering a wide range of habitats. Almost 120 fish and
cephalopod species were collected and nearly 4000 benthic invertebrate sample lots were brought back
for identification and further study. A total of 55 hours of seabed video and 12,500 still images were
also taken using NIWA's deep towed imaging system (DTIS). We present preliminary data from the
voyage, together with specimen images and video footage of the benthic communities in each of
regions surveyed.
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OCEANOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF DOUBTFUL SOUND AND ITS SILL
Hamish Bowman • [email protected]
Doubtful Sound is a large fjord complex near the centre of New Zealand's South Island Fiordland
Coast. It is characterized by contrasts: high freshwater input injected into a vast ocean, violent wave
exposure at the outer coast transitioning to peaceful waters extending nearly 40 km inland from the
Tasman Sea, high spatial variations in sunlight availability with areas of both permanently unshaded
and fully shaded habitat, and of course breathtaking topography and bathymetry. At 440 m Doubtful
Sound is the deepest of New Zealand's fjords, with the steepest bathymetric slopes (> 75°) and highest
freshwater input (> 500 cumec). It is also home to three of Fiordland's ten no-take marine reserves, a
lush diversity of biota, and the country's second largest power station. In this talk I will describe the
physical geography and oceanography of the fjord and its arms, i.e. the dominant parameters
governing its physical habitats. Particular focus will be given to water exchange with the sea over the
entrance sill and interaction between the permanent low salinity layer, intermediate layers, and the
waters of the deep basins.
HISTORICAL CHANGES IN SURFICIAL SEDIMENT AND SHELL COVERAGE OF AN EBB AND FLOOD
TIDAL SYSTEM AT TAURANGA HARBOUR, NEW ZEALAND.
Adrian Brannigan • [email protected]
Terry Healy
Changes in surficial sediment grain size and shell coverage of the ebb and flood tidal delta system of
the Tauranga entrance to Tauranga Harbour was investigated based upon surveys from 1983 to 2007
using side scan sonar. A side scan sonar survey of the ebb and flood tidal delta was completed in
January 2007 complete with over 85 underwater video shots to ascertain the shell coverage of the
surficial sediment and approximately 50 accompanying Van Veen sediment grab samples used to
provide ground truthing for the sonograph. Sediment samples were then processed using the Rapid
Sediment Analyser (RSA) in order to provide the mean grain size for each of the sample points. The
results were then collated and mapped using ArcGIS and then compared to historical side scan sonar
surveys in 1999 and 1983. In the period from 1983 to 2007 there were significant changes in the surficial
sediment with rocks being both exposed and covered, and considerable changes in surfical sediment
grain size and shell coverage.
NEW ZEALAND'S ROLE IN RESEARCH TO CONSERVE TROPICAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND SPECIES SOME RECENT EXAMPLES FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Daniel Breen • [email protected]
Annie Wheeler
Clinton Duffy
Viliamu Iese
Kaunutu Kilisi
Enate Evi
Fa'alata Kilisi
New Zealand is renowned for its marine research in cooler latitudes and perhaps also for exporting
expertise to other countries like Australia. However this talk describes some of the research
opportunities and challenges faced within the warmer waters of New Zealand’s EEZ and in
partnerships with neighbouring Pacific Island countries. In particular, this talk outlines initial work on
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a collaborative project to assess marine biodiversity values which involves the Tuvalu Government, the
New Zealand Department of Conservation, NZAID, educational institutions, NGO's and local
communities.
THE IMPACTS OF MINE WASTE DISPOSAL ON A COASTAL, DEEP WATER PELAGIC SYSTEM
David Brewer • [email protected]
Anthony Richardson
Shane Griffiths
The Lihir gold mine in Papua New Guinea disposes mine overburden and processed tailings into the
coastal, deep water marine environment. However, the impacts of this waste disposal have never been
quantitatively assessed, here or in any other similar operation. We sampled the plankton, micronekton
and pelagic fish communities to describe the impacts of this activity on animal abundances, and
analysed the tissues from selected species groups to describe any bioaccumulation of trace metals in the
pelagic food web. Abundances of the three pelagic functional groups sampled were higher in the region
adjacent to the mine than the control region on the opposite side of the island. This could be a result of
higher primary productivity fuelled by mine derived or naturally occurring trace elements (e.g. iron) in
the region of the mine. The zooplankton in the mine region had higher levels of 11 of 12 trace elements
analysed, compared to the control region. However, the results for micronekton and pelagic fish varied
between species and trace metals. Diet analyses confirmed the trophic links and subsequent potential
for bioaccumulation between zooplankton, micronekton and pelagic fish. More than half of the trace
metals examined increased in concentration from the zooplankton to micronekton. However, there
were few other instances of increasing concentrations of trace metals between micronekton and pelagic
fish species, or from zooplankton through to pelagic fish species.
MODELLING OYSTER LARVAL DISPERSAL IN TASMAN BAY
Stephen Brown • [email protected]
Carolyn Lundquist
Niall Broekhuizen
Mark Hadfield
Research has demonstrated that a lack of suitable substrate for settlement and growth is a key factor
limiting flat oyster abundance in Tasman Bay. In an effort to boost productivity of the local oyster
fishery, habitat enhancement methods involving the return of waste mollusc shell to the seabed are to
be trialled. In order for the industry to focus resources in areas where oyster spatfall will be optimal
(and avoid wasting resources in areas of low spatfall) a model to predict oyster larval dispersal has
been developed. The model links a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (ROMS) developed for the
area with a Lagrangian particle-trajectory model (NIWA’s LTRACK). The model incorporates
parameters of oyster larval behaviour and data from the industry’s annual biomass survey to simulate
oyster spatfall distribution within the region each year. The model results demonstrate differences in
suitability of locations as sites for habitat enhancement, highlighting the importance of understanding
larval processes.
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COMMUNITY LEVEL EFFECTS OF CAULERPA TAXIFOLIA EXPANSION
Dana Burfeind • [email protected]
Ian Tibbetts
James Udy
Caulerpa taxifolia gained notoriety as an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea. Though C. taxifolia in
native to tropical and subtropical Australia (including Moreton Bay), it has been introduced into
temperate regions in NSW and SA. There have been very few studies examining the impact of C.
taxifolia on faunal communities. Our study compared faunal densities in seagrass, C. taxifolia, and
unvegetated substrates in Moreton Bay, Qld and Pittwater, NSW. While faunal densities were mostly
similar between seagrass and C. taxifolia, distinct taxa were absent from C. taxifolia beds. Subsequent
studies have suggested C. taxifolia may provide some habitat benefits in terms of structure; however, it
lacks the food resources available in a seagrass bed.
EFFECTIVE POPULATION CONNECTIVITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LARVAL QUALITY
Scott Burgess • [email protected]
Dustin Marshall
The demographic links between local populations, known as connectivity, are fundamental to the
dynamics and persistence of benthic marine populations. However, current understanding of the
processes connecting such populations is limited to descriptions of larval dispersal and assumes that
larvae have equal chances of establishment. For connectivity to be effective, settlers must survive to
adulthood and reproduce. Simply reaching a settlement site will not guarantee an effective connection
if larval traits determine juvenile and adult performance. Larval size and age are two such traits that
could potentially influence the spatial scale and strength of connectivity. For non-feeding larvae,
increases in dispersal time, and the potential for dispersing far, are costly because condition is likely to
decline as finite energy resources are consumed. Adults may also distribute these resources unequally
among their offspring, which manifests as differences in larval size. In the bryozoan Bugula neritina we
found that the probability of larvae effectively contributing to connectivity depended on a complex
interaction between larval size and larval duration. In addition, the natural variability in dispersal
times estimated in the field indicated that a substantial proportion of settlers had larval durations that
would significantly compromise their chances of contributing effectively to connectivity. Such costs of
dispersal should favour the recruitment of locally derived larvae, compared to those produced from
distant sites, and reduce the scales of real connectivity well below those estimated from larval dispersal
alone.
QUANTIFYING PREY PROPORTIONS OF ANTARCTIC TOOTHFISH (DISSOSTICHUS MAWSONI) IN THE
ROSS SEA, ANTARCTICA
Sarah Bury • [email protected]
Matt Pinkerton
David Thompson
Stuart Hanchet
Y. Cherel
Julie Brown
The Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) is endemic to the Antarctic continental shelf and supports
a commercially important and valuable longline fishery in the Ross Sea. The fishery is managed by the
Convention for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which has called for an
improved understanding of how this fishery is affecting the Ross Sea ecosystem. To date, dietary
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information has been derived from a relatively small number of studies of stomach content analyses,
which only give insight into the latest prey catch, and provide no information on long-term integrated
diet. Current understanding of trophic connections in the Ross Sea is therefore limited. Such
information is critical to developing Ross Sea trophic models and to assessing the impact of the
Antarctic toothfish fishery on associated species. We present data from over 600 isotope analyses of
Antarctic toothfish and potential prey species from the Ross Sea and show that there is a large range in
isotope values for Antarctic toothfish: 7‰ δ15N (equating to two trophic levels) and 3.5‰ δ13C
(suggesting multiple primary sources of organic matter). We show that the diet of the Antarctic
toothfish varies with location and with fish length and that some Antarctic toothfish occupy a trophic
position in the Ross Sea food web equivalent to orca (Orcinus orca) and Weddell seals (Leptonychotes
weddellii). We assess the relative proportions of different food sources ingested by Antarctic toothfish
using the IsoSource multi-source mixing model and discuss the implications of these data to the
management of the fishery.
WHAT’S IN THE MUD IN THE MARINE NATIONAL PARKS OF WESTERN PORT, VICTORIA,
AUSTRALIA?
Sarah Butler • [email protected]
The Marine National Parks (MNPs) in Western Port, Victoria, Australian were established in 2002 to
protect the unique soft-sediment environments (mudflats), salt marsh and mangrove areas, and
seagrass beds. With their establishment came the need to build our understanding of the organisms and
processes that occur in these MNPs. It is also essential to assess the effectiveness of MNPs through
monitoring. In the current study, the mudflats of the three MNPs of Western Port, Churchill Marine
National Park, French Island Marine National Park and Yaringa Marine National Park, were sampled
for macroinvertebrates and sediment properties to compare these variables with sites external to the
Marine National Parks in Western Port. This was done to see if the protection of areas of mudflat with
Marine National Park status was correlated to increases or changes in the number and type of species
present, thus giving evidence to success of the MNPs as a management tool for mudflat communities.
Differences between MNPs and sites external to MNPs were found in both macroinvertebrate
communities and sediment properties and a subset of key variables that reflected these differences
were identified. The use of the subset of key variables for monitoring is discussed, particularly as a
starting point for developing long term monitoring programs for the three MNPs in Western Port.
HABITAT MAPPING AS A CONSERVATION TOOL: AN EXAMPLE FROM WELLINGTON'S SOUTH COAST
Tamsen Byfield • [email protected]
Jonathan Gardner
Ian Wright
James Bell
Various survey techniques are used to describe and analyse a region's seabeds and associated habitat
diversity and range. Information on habitat diversity and range, related to seabed type and
morphology, is essential to marine reserve design and to the preservation of biological and physical
connectivity between protected and surrounding areas. Here we describe a drop-camera survey
method to map Wellington's nearshore benthic community in conjunction with a NIWA multibeam
survey. Our research goals are to: (1) provide an overview of Wellington's south shore benthic
community; (2) correlate this to the underlying seabed structure; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of
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various mapping strategies at describing habitat type and distribution. Here we describe the methods
used and present some preliminary findings. The survey used a 200-meter interval grid pattern of
fixed-point drops in the area surrounding and including the proposed marine reserve area (~2,500
hectares) off Wellington's south coast. A camera frame was used to standardise lens height above
seabed, area viewed, and to protect the camera. Data collected from the video clips include benthic
habitat classification, substratum type, and topographic complexity. In addition to identifying the
biological communities, we are developing habitat mapping protocols to be used when acoustic data is
not available. We address the correlation of habitat type with multibeam data (seabed structure) and
how this information might be used to detect future habitat change. Preliminary results show that this
method can effectively identify temporal continuity in community structure and will therefore be a
useful tool in marine conservation.
THE DILEMMA BETWEEN FOOD SECURITY AND BIOSECURITY IN AQUACULTURE PRACTICE
Alison Cail • [email protected]
Marnie Campbell
Chad Hewitt
The rapid increase in population has resulted in widespread poverty, food insecurity and
environmental degradation. The responses to these issues have been aimed at human advancement
through increased economic growth and globalization of markets. In response to the growing demand
for seafood and the diminishing capacities for the fishing sector, aquaculture has significantly increased
in both global scale and scope. Over 80% of aquaculture growth and production rates are in developing
countries with the vast majority of detrimental human and environmental issues being confined to
these regions. As a consequence, international development agencies are using aquaculture as a catalyst
to resolve issues of poverty, food insecurity and social welfare. Many activities promoted by
development projects promote the use of non-native species. Non-native species bring with them their
own suite of problems, including environmental impacts, human health impacts and in many instances
do not create food sources for local populations. This research project aims to investigate the linkages
between the motives driving aquaculture investment development projects, and their use of non-native
species.
KEY THREATENING PROCESS ASSESSMENT: ESTABLISHING THE IMPACT OF DEMERSAL TRAWLING
ON THE BENTHIC COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH-EAST AUSTRALIAN WATERS
Kerry Cameron • [email protected]
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) assesses which threatening processes should be
identified as Key Threatening Processes under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A Key Threatening Process is defined as a process that threatens or
may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological
community (for example, injury and fatality to vertebrate marine life caused by ingestion of, or
entanglement in, harmful marine debris). The TSSC is currently assessing whether "Damage to marine
ecosystems by trawling in the area of the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery" should be
considered a Key Threatening Process. As part of its assessment, the TSSC will specifically consider
whether damage to benthic habitat caused by demersal trawling is causing decline in marine species.
The assessment of this identified process is one way to address the impact of this potential threat under
Australian Commonwealth law. This presentation will outline the steps taken to date in the assessment
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of the impact of demersal trawling in the Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, and will
identify areas where the marine science community may wish to engage over the next few months.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE AUCKLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL’S BROAD SCALE (TIER II) MARINE
ECOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAMME
Marcus Cameron • [email protected]
Megan Stewart
Judi Hewitt
Luca Chiaroni
Nicole Hancock
The Auckland Regional Council conducts a range of ecological monitoring in the marine environment
to fulfil its 'State of the Environment' monitoring requirements under the RMA. In order to rationalise
and provide consistent delivery of these results the ARC commissioned NIWA (Hewitt, 2000) to design
a State of the Environment Monitoring Programme for marine ecology in the region. The resultant three
tiered nested system was comprised of the following components: Tier I was designed to meet
temporal (trend detection) objectives by monitoring spatially constrained 'sentinel' sites in key
harbours. Tier II was designed to provide broad scale habitat and ecological information using spatially
intense sampling of priority intertidal and near-shore subtidal areas. It was envisaged that re-sampling
of Tier II sites would occur every 10–16 years, allowing any large changes in habitats or communities to
be identified. Tier III was designed to provide broad scale spatial information on deeper waters using
habitat mapping with only limited benthic ecological sampling. Elements of Tier I monitoring have
been in operation since 1987. Tier II investigations are more recent having first been carried out in the
southern Kaipara Harbour in 2003, Kawau Bay in 2005 and currently in Tamaki Straight. To date no
Tier III monitoring has been conducted. This presentation will provide an overview of the rationale
behind ARC's Tier II monitoring programme and a summary of the key findings.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISEASE: BLEACHING AND BACTERIAL INFECTION OF A MARINE
MACROALGA
Alexandra Campbell • [email protected]
Rebecca Case
Peter Steinberg
Recently, the importance of disease as a factor in structuring natural populations and communities has
been an increasing focus in ecology. Such diseases often affect important habitat-forming organisms
such as corals, seagrasses and macroalgae, and can be mediated by environmental variables including
temperature and ultra-violet radiation. Delisea pulchra is a chemically defended red alga that occurs
commonly in southern Australia. D. pulchra defends itself from herbivores and bacterial colonisation by
producing secondary metabolites called furanones. We have observed a ‘bleaching’ phenomenon in
natural populations of this alga, where affected individuals lose pigment on localised areas of their
thalli. Bleaching is more prevalent during summer, when water temperatures are elevated and
furanone levels often lowest. Bleached individuals have significantly reduced furanone levels in their
tissues, compared to healthy co-occurring individuals and support significantly different surfaceassociated microbial communities. Analogous to some instances of coral bleaching, we hypothesized
that bleaching in Delisea pulchra is due to a bacterial pathogen. The bacterium Ruegeria strain R11 has
been identified on DGGE banding patterns from bleached individuals but not those from healthy
individuals. We isolated and cultured this bacterium from D. pulchra, and inoculated D. pulchra
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individuals in the laboratory. At higher temperatures, the bacterium became virulent and, when plant
furanone production was also experimentally inhibited, the bacteria invaded the thallus leading to algal
bleaching. We are also investigating whether herbivores facilitate disease infection or transmission. In
preliminary field experiments, bleaching was induced in plants that were damaged with a scalpel to
simulate herbivory and inoculated with Ruegeria sp. R11.
HSNO: A SEA OF REGULATION?
Donna Campbell • [email protected]
This paper introduces the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act of 1996, and
explains how its functions are carried out by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. It also
discusses how your work may be regulated by the HSNO Act, and how you can best deal with this
situation.
FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY AND DIVERSITY OF FORM IN A BRYOZOAN POLYMORPH
Michelle Carter • [email protected]
Dennis Gordon
Jonathan Gardner
Bryozoans are a phylum of predominantly marine, colonial organisms with each colony comprising of
individual modules or zooids. Polymorphism is the morphological specialisation of different modules
within a colony and is extensively displayed in cheilostome bryozoans. Avicularia are modified zooids
that display extensive variation in morphology and appear to be located within a colony in no
understandable or consistent manner. Avicularia are devoid of any functional gut and have a vestige of
one and are therefore dependent on nutrients from neighbouring zooids. These polymorphs are clearly
of some importance and play a key role in total colony functioning. Knowledge of avicularian biology is
severely lacking and is a vital component in understanding the underlying mechanisms that are
responsible for their observed behaviour. Therefore the objectives of this study are: (1) To conduct a
morphological survey of avicularian types in order to ascertain the true extent of the diversity in form;
(2) To conduct a comparative ultrastructural study of the avicularia from two species of bugulids from
disparate environments; a harbour-hopping invasive species and a deep-sea seamount inhabiting
species. Our work is the first to examine the ultrastructural anatomy of avicularia and is certainly the
most extensive comparative biological study of avicularia to date. The results from this study indicate
that avicularia are far more anatomically diverse than previously indicated and appear to be
anatomically equipped to perform many different functions. The observed diversity in morphology
may be a result of phylogenetic differences but is confounded by the potential for environmentallydriven phenotypic responses.
RESPONSES OF REEF FISH COMMUNITIES TO CORAL DECLINES ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Alistair Cheal • [email protected]
Coral reef ecosystems are likely to suffer increased coral mortality from thermal stress as a direct
consequence of global warming. In such circumstances the functional roles of certain reef fishes may be
critical for reef resilience and high fish diversity may offer "ecological insurance" against general
ecosystem degradation. We examined responses of reef fish communities to varied levels of coral
decline on 22 reefs of the Great Barrier Reef over an 11 year period. Using a comprehensive range of
55
diversity measures we found that fish diversity rarely decreased due to coral declines, even on reefs
that suffered massive coral losses. Although maintenance of fish diversity was an appealing result, it
belied major changes in fish communities. Changes in abundance of fish species tended to be larger
when coral declines were greater. Shifts in community structure were characterised by increases in
abundance of large herbivores and decreases in abundance of both coral-dependant fishes and species
with no obvious coral dependency. Although the proportion of species that increased or decreased in
abundance varied considerably among reefs, 45-71% of fish species suffered decreases in abundance on
three of the most disturbed reefs. As ecological function is related to abundance, such decreases are
likely to reflect a reduced capacity of reef fishes to perform important functional roles. This could
ultimately lessen ecosystem resilience. Overall, our results show that the structure of coral reef fish
communities can suffer distinct and undesirable changes in response to major coral declines even
though fish diversity is maintained.
VALIDATING DISPERSAL IN NUMERICAL MODELS
Stephen Chiswell • [email protected]
Graham Rickard
Larval dispersion in the ocean is intimately bound up with the effective diffusion due to mesoscale
eddies. This, in turn, is controlled by the Lagrangian and Eulerian timescales of the eddy field. We
compare Lagrangian and Eulerian statistics from models with direct observations from surface drifters
to see how well the models are likely to simulate larval dispersal. We find that the ratio of Lagrangian
to Eulerian timescales in the models tends to be higher than in reality, but that overall dispersal may
not be too different from the real ocean.
SEA-ICE COVER AS A DOMINANT FORCE STRUCTURING ANTARCTIC BENTHIC COMMUNITIES:
IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Graeme Clark • [email protected]
Jonathan Stark
Emma Johnston
At the close of each summer surface waters around Antarctica freeze to form a layer of sea-ice over 1 m
thick. When temperatures warm the following summer, the sea-ice gradually breaks away from the
coast in patches. Some patches break out sooner than others due to stabilizing effects of coastal
geomorphology, creating a mixture of ice-covered and ice-free zones. Sea-ice greatly reduces light
penetration and alters the sedimentation regime, so the annual period for which subtidal communities
are covered by ice may have a strong influence on the species composition and diversity below.
Furthermore, global warming is likely to bring forward the timing of sea-ice breakout and postpone
refreezing, which could change the structure of some communities and endanger those that rely on
extended periods of cover. We investigated the effects of sea-ice duration on benthic encrusting
communities by collecting boulders from a range of sites that experience breakout at different times.
Sea-ice duration dramatically affected the types of communities found. Sites where ice breaks out early
were dominated by coralline and turfing algae, whereas those that were covered for longer periods
accommodated a diversity of sponges, bryozoans, and other invertebrates. Many species were found
exclusively in the most icecovered areas, meaning that even small changes in the sea-ice regime could
result in local extinctions.
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A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF SEAWEED CANOPIES ON TEMPERATE REEF FISHES
Russell Cole • [email protected]
Niki Davey
Kirsten Rodgers
The published primary literature of experimental studies concerning the effects of seaweed canopies on
temperate marine reef fishes was quantitatively reviewed to establish what evidence supported the
idea that kelp forests comprise “essential fish habitat”. Seaweeds are the dominant cover of
macrophyte, and fishes are the most abundant vertebrate, on temperate marine rocky reefs. One
hundred combinations of fish species and macroalgal manipulation were located in 20 publications, of
which 82 were retained for analysis, and 61 tractable estimates of effect size were retained. Most studies
sampled fish activity and abundance following macroalgal removals. Although the range of
experimental manipulation sizes was large, most experiments were small relative to documented
natural clearances, and to the potential ambits of reef fishes. Few studies manipulated macroalgal
species composition, and even fewer quantified the consequences of occurrences of macroalgal
canopies for reef fish reproduction, or other more complex population parameters. There were no clear
trends in response of fish populations to clearance size, clearance duration, or latitude of study. Further
experimental investigations, both simple and more complex, are required to understand the extent to
which seaweed forests truly comprise “essential fish habitat”.
EXTENSIONS OF EQUIVALENCE TESTING AND THEIR APPLICATION TO MARINE RESERVE RESPONSES
Russell Cole • [email protected]
Murthy Mittinty
Graham McBride
Whereas frequentist tests of point-null hypotheses (positing equality between population parameters)
are ubiquitous in ecological journals, some statisticians have expressed considerable discomfort about
their use and interpretation. The main alternatives offered to date require the adoption of different
statistical philosophies. Here we demonstrate extensions to one of these alternatives - frequentist tests
of interval hypotheses that are novel in ecology, less computationally demanding than the other
alternative approaches, and are potentially widely applicable. For blue cod, Parapercis colias, in and near
a New Zealand marine reserve, we test whether the differences between reserve and fished areas lie
within or beyond an interval of practical indifference, at the start of the study and after eight years of
protection. We consider two data types, counts (densities) and continuous (sizes). The tests of interval
hypotheses that we offer allow assessments of practical significance to be incorporated into statistical
calculations, and focus attention on whether differences are of real consequence, rather than whether
sufficient data have been collected to attain statistical significance, as when testing 'point-null'
hypotheses.
HOKI DIET ON THE CHATHAM RISE, NEW ZEALAND
Amelia Connell • [email protected]
The Chatham Rise is an area of high productivity, and its ecosystem supports a wide variety of
commercial fish species. The diet of hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae), one of the most abundant
commercial species in the area is reported. Hoki stomachs were collected in summer 2005, 2006 and
2007 during Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) random stratified trawl surveys. Stomach contents were
analysed in the laboratory, and prey items were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible,
counted and weighed. The effects of assumed fish age (assumed from length classes), area and depth
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on diet were investigated using multidimensional scaling (MDS), ANOSIM and SIMPER, and the diet
was characterised using %IRI. Significant differences in diet were found between non-adjacent age
classes, but not adjacent age classes, suggesting a slow change in diet with age. Other factors found to
have a significant effect on diet were sampling year, area and depth. The main prey species
contributing to these differences were lanternfish (primarily Myctophids), prawns (primarily Pasiphaea
spp.) and Euphausids. However, the results also revealed a substantial overlap in diet between age
groups, areas and depths.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PARALYTIC SHELLFISH TOXINS IN NEW ZEALAND MARINE BIVALVES
Andrea Contreras • [email protected]
Islay Marsden
Harmful algae bloom events (HABs) have been increasing world wide and are occurring more
frequently in some geographical areas such as New Zealand. Marine suspension-feeding molluscs are
particularly susceptible to the accumulation of these toxins in their tissues when feeding upon
planktonic dinoflagellates (e.g. Alexandrium sp.) that produce paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins.
The rate of toxin uptake varies among bivalve species and between individuals of the same species.
Physiological processes and the kinetics of PSP toxins are believed to be the major factors controlling
the level of toxins. My research evaluates the effects of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) on the
physiology of bivalve molluscs, investigating mechanisms of uptake, accumulation and toxin dynamics
of bivalves from a wide range of species. The first species exposed to PSP toxins was Perna canaliculus,
which was fed with Alexandrium tamarense - clearance rate and excretion rate were measured. This
species was not affected either by the presence of PSP toxins in the diet supplied or the toxins in the
tissues of the mussels. There were no significant differences between clearance rate and excretion rate
on mussels fed with PSP diet and control mussels during the whole experiment. Experiments will be
carried out with other species of bivalves from New Zealand such as Paphies donacina, Austrovenus
stutchuburyi, and Pecten novaezelandiae.
A SURFACE SEDIMENT STUDY AROUND NEW ZEALAND
Giuseppe Cortese • [email protected]
GNS is currently developing a modern analogue dataset for the oceanic area around New Zealand, and
this presentation will provide an introduction to the planned projects for the ocean around New
Zealand, as well as insights on relevant previous work by several of the team members, both in the
southwest Pacific area and elsewhere. This study will use surface sediment samples to investigate
variation in the relative abundances of pollen and spores, calcareous-shelled (planktonic foraminifera),
siliceous-shelled (diatoms, radiolarians) and organic-walled (dinoflagellate cysts) plankton species.
Quantitative estimates of sea surface temperature and nutrient characteristics of surface waters will be
derived from these data by using various statistical techniques. Such an integration of investigations
based on multiple microfossil groups will cross-validate data and interpretations, and provide a
baseline for future marine paleoclimate investigations in New Zealand. The ultimate aim is to test the
developed paleotemperature equations on sediment cores from the New Zealand area, and reconstruct
paleoclimate variability in this area over several climatic cycles, with a focus on the early Holocene and
marine isotope stages 5 and 11.
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HOW MANY MARINE SPECIES ARE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN?
Mark Costello • [email protected]
The popular question of how many species exist provides the most easily understood measure of
nature’s diversity. Because no human activity or business operates without an inventory of its primary
resources and metrics of knowledge, and the Linnaean process of naming species has been well
established for 250 years, it is a surprise to many that biologists have not inventoried what species they
have described. Because almost all phyla and classes of life occur in the oceans, knowing marine species
diversity is a critical step in assembling the evolutionary diversity of life on earth. Recent estimates of
how many marine species have been named range from 150,000 to 274,000, and how many exist range
from 10 million to 5 million to 0.5 million. The limitations of the methods used to estimate marine
species richness are critiqued. The best solution is for taxonomic experts to inventory species (as
distinct from names), and this is being achieved through the World Register of Marine Species at
www.marinespecies.org. Using the proportions of undescribed species in samples provides a better
estimate of how many species remain to be described, and they suggest a little over 1 million species
may exist. The latest counts of how many species have been named, and estimates of those remaining
will be presented.
HOW SEA LICE ARE THE MOST PATHOGENIC PARASITE TO FARMED AND WILD SALMONIDS
Mark Costello • [email protected]
Sea lice, especially Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus spp., have the greatest economic impact of any
parasite in salmonid fish farming and are a threat to wild salmonids. Lice cost the world salmonid
farming industry over $300 million a year. On farms, control methods have included fallowing, cleanerfish, and parasiticides. However, they have developed resistance to all the groups of parasiticides and
continue to re-infect farms from wild fish. In turn, the large populations that develop on farms can be a
source of pathogenic infestations on wild fish. A recent study suggests that lice from salmonid farms
may be a significant factor in the decline of wild salmonids in the northern hemisphere. Pathogenic
infestations on farmed and wild fish have occurred in Northern Europe, Atlantic and Pacific Canada,
Chile, Australia, and in south-east Asia. This presentation will explain how the ecology of sea lice,
including larval dispersal, makes them such a successful pathogen of farmed and wild fish. Sea lice
pose a threat to finfish farming globally.
ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS IN DOUBTFUL AND DUSKY SOUNDS: A
NEED FOR COMPARATIVE RESEARCH
Rohan Currey • [email protected]
Lucy Rowe
Steven Dawson
Elisabeth Slooten
The bottlenose dolphin of Dusky Sound (Tursiops sp.) are a little studied group at the southern limit of
the species range, while the neighbouring bottlenose dolphins of Doubtful Sound have been declining,
and are subject to potential impacts from tourism and habitat change. We applied photo identification
census and capture-recapture techniques to provide the first estimate of dolphin abundance in Dusky
Sound and an updated estimate of dolphin abundance in Doubtful Sound. Further, we recorded
sightings during our systematic surveys, providing comparative distribution patterns. In Doubtful
Sound, there were 56 (CV = 1.3%) bottlenose dolphins, representing no net change in population status
over the past 12 months. In Dusky Sound, there were 102 (CV = 0.9%) bottlenose dolphins. We did not
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encounter any animals from Doubtful Sound in Dusky Sound (or vice versa) suggesting little or no
interchange between populations. High resighting rates of individual dolphins in Dusky Sound suggest
the population may be resident, similar to Doubtful Sound. However the clear seasonal shift in
distribution observed in Doubtful Sound was absent from Dusky Sound. We discuss factors that may
be behind these differences in abundance and distribution and suggest how they might be assessed.
LINKS BETWEEN ESTUARINE CONDITION AND THE TRANSPORT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE
INVADERS
Katherine Dafforn • [email protected]
Emma Johnston
Tim Glasby
Billions of dollars are spent every year on preventing or combating marine invasions. Information is
urgently required on current invader distribution patterns and their correlations with (or causal links
to) predictor variables in order to establish targeted risk management and invasion prevention
programs. We propose that a key tool for predicting areas in which marine pests will dominate is an
assessment of the physico-chemical conditions as well as the levels of ambient pollution particularly
from anti-fouling metals. Using artificial settlement plates (15 x 15 cm), we investigated the
development of fouling assemblages at three sites in each of two commercial and two recreational
estuaries in New South Wales, Australia. At each site, physico-chemical variables were measured
monthly and accumulation of heavy metals in oysters was measured. We also conducted manipulative
experiments at each site to test the direct effects of exposure to copper and tributyltin anti-fouling
paints. In experimental studies, several invasive species were more abundant on plates exposed to
copper and/or TBT anti-fouling paints and this effect was observed more often at sites where levels of
copper and TBT in the water column were already elevated. Relationships between percent cover of
invertebrates and physico-chemical variables were species-specific, highlighting the importance of
understanding individual species responses when trying to predict and respond to pest incursions. The
complete ban of TBT antifouling paints will increase the number of vessel hulls treated with copper
anti-fouling paints and the subsequent accumulation of copper in estuaries could result in increased
transfer and establishment of copper-tolerant invasive species.
WHOSE KNOWLEDGE SHOULD COUNT? INCORPORATING EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE INTO
COLLABORATIVE PLANNING MODELS FOR MARINE AND COASTAL PLANNING: LESSONS FROM THE
‘SECURING WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S MARINE FUTURES’ PROJECT.
Amanda Davies • [email protected]
In recent years, the approach to planning for marine and coastal resources has shifted, in recognition
that all forms of knowledge are socially constructed including that of scientific and technical experts.
The outcome of this shift has been the inclusion of community values and knowledge in planning
processes. This paper is concerned with how researchers identify and measure community values and,
in turn, how these values are used these to inform planning outcomes. The paper presents findings of a
three year study into human uses and values of marine resources. The study was part of the 'Securing
Western Australia's Marine Futures' project - a large scale interdisciplinary project aimed at developing
critical understandings about the nature and condition of Western Australia's marine environment. The
project involved creating bathymetric maps, habitat maps and biodiversity assessments and
considering this information in regards to historical and contemporary human uses and values. In the
human uses and values component of the project, the team interviewed both long-term and short-term
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marine users, and also appointed stakeholders, appointed representatives and community members, to
compare individual's experiential understandings of human uses and also the major influences on these
understandings. The study revealed that there was considerable difference between the understandings
of the appointed stakeholders and representatives, the long-term users, and the short-term users. The
difference was most evident between long-term users and the appointed stakeholders and
representative and short-term users. The findings of this study lend support to the need to move away
from the popular simplistic collaborative planning models which tend to use stakeholder and
organisational representatives to identify community values and knowledge. This study highlights the
potential value of experiential knowledge of long-term users for managing the marine and coastal
environment.
PHYLOGEOGRAPHY REVEALS CRYPTIC SPECIES
Genievive del Mundo • [email protected]
Neil Gemmell
Sharyn Goldstien
Marie Hale
The global spread of solitary ascidians is primarily a consequence of anthropogenic transport. Ship
ballast waters and hull-fouled crafts promote the movement of propagules and increase the probability
of cryptic species in marine communities. We integrated phylogeographic studies with invasive theory
to investigate the role of local vessels on the movement of coastal marine organisms. Marine
surveillance programs often rely on morphological taxonomy, although they are often hindered by the
taxonomic similarities of native and non-native sister taxa. Our preliminary results from
phylogeographic study of the native ascidian, Cnemidocarpa nisiotis showed that morphological
identification alone is not powerful enough to reveal cryptic species. The mitochondrial DNA gene COI
and the nuclear gene 18S revealed genetic divergences indicative of cryptic species or at least sympatric
isolation within the species. These results highlight the benefits of utilizing molecular techniques as an
approach in applying investigation of bio-invaders.
GBROOS: AN OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM FOR THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
Peter Doherty • [email protected]
The Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observing System is a geographical Node of the Integrated Marine
Observing System (http://www.imos.org.au/) created with initial funding of $17.4 million ($5.2 million
IMOS, $4.2 million Queensland Government, $8 million in-kind). GBROOS will be a regional
observation network of IMOS covering the western Coral Sea. The network partners include AIMS, the
Tropical Marine Network representing the four island research stations: Heron (UQ), Lizard (Aust.
Mus.), Orpheus (JCU) and One Tree (U. Syd.), the Queensland Cyber-Infrastructure Foundation (UQ)
and the ARC Research Network for Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing
(U. Melb.). Its purpose will be to document variability in the western Coral Sea, particularly along the
continental margin, and to provide observing infrastructure that will allow researchers to determine the
influence of variations in the oceanic boundary currents upon the performance of outer-shelf
ecosystems. GBROOS will collect measurements from ship-borne sensors, oceanographic instruments
moored on and off the shelf at four latitudes, upgraded remote sensing facilities in Townsville covering
both sea surface temperature and ocean colour, and a unique network of environmental sensors using
wireless technology that will be installed at the four island research stations. The latter will deliver realtime measurements of local marine climate and will be a plug-and-play technology that allows
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researchers to add specialised sensors to the network to collect spatially dense, continuous
measurements in real-time from two-thirds of the GBR at the same time. The wireless network (Facility
for Automated Intelligent Monitoring of Marine Systems, FAIMMS) will partner with international
networks concerned with long-term ecological monitoring of sensitive sites (ILTER) and/or the
application of wireless sensor networks to environmental monitoring, which involves cutting-edge
technology that promises to revolutionise this branch of science.
PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN SEAWEEDS - INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL
FACTORS ON ITS ACQUISITION AND TISSUE CONTENT
Emily Duder • [email protected]
Phosphorus is an essential element for growth in all organisms including marine algae. As a constituent
of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), membranes (phospholipids) and ATP, phosphorus is essential for
growth and metabolism. Consequently, knowledge of how organisms acquire and partition this
element is central to an understanding of their growth and bioenergetics. However, there is currently a
limited understanding of how seaweeds acquire and partition phosphorus in general and New Zealand
seaweeds, in particular. The aim of my research is to determine the effects of environmental (e.g.,
phosphate concentration, light availability) and biological (e.g., surface area : volume ratio) factors on
phosphorus metabolism. The relationship between rates of phosphate uptake and concentration
together with kinetic constants for a number of brown, red and green seaweeds will be described,
together with the effect of tissue phosphorus content on rates of phosphate uptake by these seaweeds.
The effects of surface area : volume on phosphorus metabolism will also be described together with the
spatial distribution (within alga) of tissue phosphorus. The roles of environmental factors such as
depth, season and phosphate concentration, and biological factors such as taxonomy, surface area to
volume ratio will be discussed.
EFFECTS OF TAIL CLIPPING ON THE SURVIVAL AND TAIL FAN CONDITION OF SEA-CAGED TROPICAL
ROCK LOBSTERS, PANULIRUS ORNATUS
Kathryn Dunkerley • [email protected]
Ana Lara-Lopez
The Tropical Rock Lobster (Panulirus ornatus) forms the basis of an important traditional, commercial
and recreational fishery across the islands of the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New
Guinea. To aid management of the fishery, it is necessary to distinguish lobsters live held in cages as
either traditional or commercial catch. This may be done by clipping the tail fan of traditionally caught
lobsters. However, there is a lack of research on the impacts of tail clipping on tropical spiny lobster
species. In response to traditional inhabitant concerns about the practice, a study was conducted by the
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to investigate the impacts of tail clipping on
lobster health. Lobsters were live held for 10 days in two different types of sea cages and in two depths
of water. Tail fan damage was assessed using photos and weight was used as a proxy of lobster health.
Lobster survival was high across all treatments with < 5% mortality. Weight change did not differ
significantly from the beginning to the end of the study (P > 0.05). Tail fan damage significantly
increased over the study period (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in this
increase between treatments (P > 0.05) or between control and clipped lobsters (P > 0.05). It is concluded
that this increase in damage is attributable to the adverse conditions of live holding in sea cages. This
study has addressed indigenous concerns and contributed to research based fisheries management in
the Torres Strait.
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AN EVALUATION OF THE MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL'S ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN RELATION TO
THE CLYDE NEPHROPS FISHERY
Katherine Dunlop • [email protected]
Glasgow University
The MSC eco-label for sustainably sourced seafood is increasingly in demand and the group are
certifying a growing number of fisheries. The Clyde Nephrops fisheries are currently under assessment
by an MSC accredited certification body. The fishery consists of a mobile and static sector and now
represents one the most economically valuable fisheries in the area. In this report I will outline the
process, results and conclusions of my own assessment of the fishery in accordance to the principles
and criteria of the MSC. I attempted to follow the official certification process as much as possible. The
assessment found the fisheries to be exploiting a healthy and well monitored stock and that a number
of appropriate measures were being taken to reduce the fisheries environmental impact. This was
controlled by a generally effective national and local based management system. On the basis of this
information I decided with the help of the decision making software 'expert choice' that the fishery was
eligible for certification. However the assessment also highlighted a number of aspects within the
fishery that require improvement. Therefore I have suggested a number of conditions for the fishery to
fulfil on certification. One such condition is to develop and implement measures to reduce the large
invertebrate bycatch generated by the trawling industry. Applying the Clyde Nephrops fisheries to the
MSC assessment procedure has allowed me to evaluate the overall assessment system as well as the
MSC certification bodies' proposed procedure for assessing the fisheries in April 2008.
EVALUATIONS OF SPRAY TREATMENTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF MARINE PESTS
Robyn Dunmore • [email protected]
Richard Piola
Barrie Forrest
The establishment and spread of marine fouling pest species continues to receive increasing attention
from environmental managers and scientists, in part due to a growing need among managers and
industry for cost-effective, environmentally friendly treatment solutions. While previous research has
developed a range of methods for controlling marine pests at small spatial scales (e.g. wrapping,
smothering, heat treatment), the use of biocidal sprays as a pest control treatment in the marine
environment has received little experimental evaluation. This study tested the efficacy of spraying three
different 'eco-friendly' chemicals (acetic acid, hydrated lime and bleach) for removal of marine fouling
species. Pilot results identified acetic acid as the most effective chemical treatment, and further
examination of the effects of chemical concentration (5 and 10%), exposure duration (1, 10 and 30 min)
and number of sprays (1 or 2) was carried out on invertebrate assemblages, and the known pest
ascidian Didemnum vexillum. All acetic acid concentrations and exposure periods resulted in a dramatic
reduction in the biomass and richness of invertebrates. The magnitude of the effects increased with
increasing acetic acid concentration and exposure time, and as a result of repeat spraying. An
application of 10% acetic acid over an exposure period of 30 min removed up to 78% of species present
and 95% of cover with only one application. Single-spray treatments of 5% acetic acid reduced
Didemnum cover and biomass by up to 100% depending on the exposure period. Repeat-spraying
ensured that even very short exposure times (i.e. 1 min) achieved ~99% mortality. This study shows
that spraying with acetic acid is a highly effective treatment approach for controlling fouling pest
species, which could be applied to a variety of natural and artificial habitats and structures.
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A CONTINENTAL SCALE EVALUATION OF MPA EFFECTS ACROSS SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA
Graham Edgar • [email protected]
Neville Barrett
The effectiveness of any newly-declared marine protected area (MPA) in safeguarding biodiversity will
depend on a variety of interacting factors, including: (i) size of MPA, (ii) network considerations such
as proximity to adjacent MPAs and porosity of boundaries, (iii) species or component of biodiversity of
interest, (iv) pre-existing fishing effort, (v) level of legal enforcement and compliance, (vi) management
regulations including whether fully or partially protected from fishing, (vii) time since protection, (viii)
level of exploitation of surrounding areas, (ix) regional biogeographic influences, and (x) local
environmental factors including physical structure of reefs. In collaboration with state management
agencies, a continental-scale MPA monitoring program is currently underway across southern
Australia, with the aim of disentangling effects that confound small scale studies. The ultimate aim is to
greatly improve predictive capacity when designing new MPA networks, and to provide a baseline for
assessing impacts of climate change, invasive species and other threats through the long term. To date,
standardised data on densities of reef fishes, invertebrates and macroalgae have been collected by
underwater visual census from 12 MPAs, many multizoned, distributed from Jurien Bay (WA) to Lord
Howe Island (NSW) and around Tasmania. Data for each MPA were generally first obtained before the
time of MPA proclamation, include adjacent reference sites, and extend over several years. MPAmediated changes in the Tasmanian Maria Island Marine Park (1992-2008), NSW Jervis Bay Marine
Park (1996-2007) and WA Jurien Bay Marine Park (1999-2007) are briefly outlined.
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ACCESS TO MARINE GENETIC RESOURCES, AND THEIR IMPACT ON
COMMERCIALISATION OF RESEARCH OUTCOMES
Elizabeth Evans-Illidge • [email protected]
Chris Battershill
Human use of biodiversity for useful products (other than food) is an ancient concept, and marine
biodiversity is a well recognised source of new molecules with commercial potential. One obstacle in
the modern pathway to harnessing this potential for marine biodiscovery stems from the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD). Many parties to the CBD sought to redress the existing dichotomy
between the worlds megabiodiversity on the one hand (in the developing world), and its R&D and
commercialisation capacity on the other (in the developed world). When it came into force in 1993, the
CBD provided a legal basis for sovereignty over biodiversity, and provision for countries to regulate
access to biodiversity and benefit sharing arising from research on genetic resources. Like all legally
binding international instruments, practical implementation of the CBD occurs via domestic laws in
each country. A new regulatory framework is emerging in countries such as Australia that have the
capacity for legislative reform. In reality though, most countries who are parties to the CBD have
struggled to implement effective domestic regulatory frameworks to deliver fair access and benefit
sharing, and negotiations are underway for a new international regime. The resulting uncertainty over
the rules of access to and ongoing supply of biodiversity for biodiscovery research has undermined
industry and investor confidence in this field, and it has become increasingly important to demonstrate
CBD compliance to investors in commercialisation. Thankfully, even in the absence of adequate
domestic laws in many countries, several avenues exist to proactively implement and demonstrate
compliance with CBD principles.
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CHANGE IN SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS OF COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED SHARKS OVER 25 YEARS IN
NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
Iain Field • [email protected]
Long-term data essential for sustainable harvest management are rare in tropical fisheries. Two
commercially important shark species, Australian blacktip (Carcharhinus tilstoni) and spot-tail (C. sorrah)
sharks in northern Australia have changed in size and population status over the last 25 years. These
populations were exploited heavily from the early 1970s to the mid-1980s by foreign fishers, and since
then have been harvested by a relatively small domestic fishery. We examined the differences in fork
length of these species caught in 1983-1985 and 2002-2006, and describe changes in the size of female
maturity. We found clear regional differences and changes in size over time. Sharks from the Gulf of
Carpentaria were larger than those on the west coast of the Northern Territory. We believe that spatial
and temporal changes in the size of sharks are principally due to over-exploitation in the past and
subsequent recovery of populations, while the spatial and temporal variation is due to current
phenotypic responses to food availability.
CROSS SHELF PATTERNS IN THE TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF BENTHIC FISH ASSEMBLAGES ON THE
NINGALOO REEF
Benjamin Fitzpatrick • [email protected]
Euan Harvey
Andrew Heyward
Russ Babcock
We aim to quantify significant patterns in the distribution and abundance of target demersal
fish in relation to two sanctuary zones and across habitats and depths of the continental shelf of
Northern Ningaloo Reef. Using one consistent approach, stereo-baited remote underwater
video systems (stereo-BRUVS) we found significant patterns in the structure of fish
assemblages. Overall, biomass is concentrated in upper trophic levels of the fish assemblages
the further offshore the habitat. Ontogenetic habitat shifts in higher trophic levels including
Lutjanidae, Serranidae, Lethrinidae and Carangidae are common often with smaller fish found
in near shore habitats and larger fish in offshore habitats. Habitat partitioning between species
from the same families contribute significantly to differences between habitats often with
smaller bodied species found in higher frequencies inshore and larger bodied species in
offshore habitats. Fishing possibly contributes towards this general pattern as well with the
observation that biomass of certain target species generally from higher trophic levels is
significantly less in fished areas relative to no-take zones within the lagoon. All these processes
appear to contribute towards a pattern of significantly increasing biomass in upper trophic
levels with increasing water depth particularly within reef habitats.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND INVASION MECHANISMS OF THE ASCIDIAN DIDEMNUM VEXILLUM
Lauren Fletcher • [email protected]
Barrie Forrest
James Bell
One of the major human-associated threats to ecosystems and their biodiversity is biotic invasion. In
New Zealand, invasive biofouling organisms have resulted in significant economic and ecological
imapcts and as such there is increased interest in the management of marine pest species. This research
focuses on one such pest species, the colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum that was unknowingly
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transported to the Marlborough Sounds on a heavily fouled barge. Although present in the
Marlborough Sounds region since 2001, the basic biology and dispersal capacity of Didemnum is not
well understood. We recently assessed several aspects of Didemnum biology, including reproductive
seasonality and dispersal potential. Weekly recruitment of this species is being correlated with
environmental parameters (temperature and salinity) over a 12 month period at four sites. Additional
field dispersal experiments have been conducted adjacent to two populations of Didemnum with a
considerable biomass difference. Preliminary results indicate that although recruitment levels vary
considerably between sites they follow a similar seasonal pattern. Didemnum recruits have been
detected since late November 2007 with a recruitment peak in late January to early February 2008.
Dispersal experiments have shown that larvae can travel 200 m from source populations although the
detection of larvae travelling from populations with a small biomass was difficult. Dispersal patterns
suggest the maximum distance able to be travelled is likely to be further. This research identifies high
risk periods and triggers for spawning of Didemnum, information which will assist managers in the
implementation of effective eradication and control efforts.
PATTERNS OF PHYLOGENETIC RELATEDNESS AMONG NATIVE AND NON-INDIGENOUS SPECIES
Oliver Floerl • [email protected]
Graeme Inglis
Dennis Gordon
Considerable effort has been made in the past two decades to determine whether the degree to which
non-indigenous species (NIS) are phylogenetically related to native organisms influences their
likelihood of establishment. This has traditionally involved comparing individual NIS to native
recipient assemblages. In this study, we approach the same question from a different angle and
compare broader phylogenetic patterns among NIS to phylogenetic patterns among native organisms.
The human-mediated invasion process is riddled with challenges that candidate organisms must
overcome, and it has been shown that phenotypic characteristics can determine a species' success or
failure at any stage of the invasion process. Assuming that only species possessing particular
characteristics will pass through all stages and successfully establish, and that phenotypic similarity is
correlated with phylogenetic similarity, we predict that the degree of phylogenetic (i.e. taxonomic)
relatedness among successfully established NIS is smaller than among native species in the same
habitat. We test our prediction using New Zealand's marine bryozoans as a study group. Our data
comprise 90 species of native and non-indigenous bryozoans encountered during standardised baseline
surveys of 16 ports and marinas around the coast of New Zealand. We compare phylogenetic patterns
among both groups at two spatial scales - nationwide and for individual locations. We also examine
whether ports and marinas harbour a phylogenetically restricted subset of the available native coastal
bryozoan fauna by comparing the 'taxonomic breadth' of these two groups.
THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES IN MARINE BIOINVASION: INSIGHTS FROM STUDIES WITH
DIDEMNUM VEXILLUM AND OTHER MARINE PESTS
Barrie Forrest • [email protected]
Lauren Fletcher
Grant Hopkins
The development of coastal areas has resulted in the creation of extensive areas of artificial habitat such
as wharf pilings, marina pontoons, moorings and aquaculture structures. The role of such structures as
points of incursion for pest organisms, as reservoirs for their spread to natural habitats, or as 'stepping
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stones' for spread across natural barriers to dispersal, is not well understood. Our recent research to
address such questions focuses on the invasive sea squirt Didemnum vexillum as a model organism. Our
work with Didemnum in the Marlborough Sounds has included an investigation into invasion pathways
from infested structures, through a series of experiments where recruits, fragments and established
colonies were transplanted to subtidal rocky and mixed-sediment habitats. Preliminary results indicate
that widespread establishment of Didemnum in such habitats within the study region is unlikely.
Nonetheless, field observations reveal that Didemnum can colonise submerged logs and biogenic
habitats such as horse mussels, hydroid trees and large brown macroalgae. The structured nature of
such habitats conceivably provides Didemnum with a refuge from predation and other factors that
appear to limit direct seabed establishment. We discuss how such knowledge, combined with
information on natural vs human-mediated dispersal capacity, can be used to identify the spatial scales
around which 'internal borders' can be defined for the management of Didemnum and other marine
pests.
KELP RAFTS: THE TAXI SERVICE OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN?
Ceridwen Fraser • [email protected]
Hamish Spencer
Jonathan Waters
Of the five recognised species of southern bull kelp (Durvillaea), only one, Durvillaea antarctica, has both
the ability to float and a circum-polar distribution. All other, non-buoyant, species are endemic to
islands or island groups, suggesting that the unique buoyancy of D. antarctica has permitted it to
disperse across entire oceans. This raises a number of questions: (1) Is Durvillaea antarctica truly a single,
broadly distributed species? (2) If so, are disjunct populations of D. antarctica genetically wellconnected? (3) Do non-buoyant congeneric species show greater genetic variation, across relatively
small geographic scales, then the buoyant D. antarctica, indicating a reduced ability to disperse via
rafting? (4) Do the invertebrate fauna associated with the kelp show similar biogeographic patterns; i.e.,
if the kelp can travel, can fauna travel with it? Using powerful genetic tools to address these, and other,
questions, we have discovered some fascinating phylogeographic patterns and at least two cryptic
species of Durvillaea. Bull kelp may indeed be the 'taxi service' of the Southern Ocean, permitting small,
sedentary invertebrate taxa to traverse the globe.
PATTERNS OF EGG PREDATION AT REEF FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATION SITES AND THE ROLE OF
TARGET EGG PREDATORS
Matthew Fraser • [email protected]
Mark McCormick
Reef fish spawning aggregations have been shown to display a high degree of selectivity across both
temporal and spatial scales. The predation of eggs is central to hypotheses explaining the nature of this
selectivity. However no studies have rigorously quantified egg predation among multiple spawning
aggregation sites (SAS) in order to determine site level processes which influence egg predation. This
study examined egg predation by obligate and facultative planktivorous fishes at SAS at Kimbe Bay,
Papua New Guinea. Egg predation was quantified daily for a period of two months within four forereef SAS and three back-reef SAS. At each of the SAS the number of spawning rushes by each species
and all observed predation events on eggs were recorded. Egg predator density, current velocity and
direction and topographic complexity were also quantified at each SAS. The proportion of spawning
rushes preyed upon was greatest for the surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus striatus and decreased significantly
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for the parrotfish, C. bleekeri and wrasse T. hardwicke. Rates of egg predation were significantly greater
at fore-reef SAS for C. striatus, but not for C. bleekeri and T. hardwicke. The proportion of C. striatus
spawning rushes preyed upon displayed positive correlations with egg predator density, topographic
complexity and mean current velocity. The increased levels of egg predation at fore-reef SAS were
driven by higher densities of the dominant egg predator, the damsel fish, Abudefduf vaigiensis. These
results suggest that the immediate predation of C. striatus eggs by target egg predators represent an
important source of variation in propagule mortality and may directly influence the number of
propagules effectively liberated among SAS. Variation in the levels of egg predation among spawning
species suggests that the intensity of target egg predation may not be an important determinant in the
choice of spawning aggregation sites.
MEASURING COASTAL NATURAL CHARACTER CHANGE
Victoria Froude • [email protected]
Government policy to preserve the natural character of the coastal environment was first included in
New Zealand legislation in 1973. Implementation of this policy has been patchy in part because of
uncertainty about what is meant by the term natural character and how changes in it can be measured. I
will discuss interpretations of environmental natural character or naturalness from the perspectives of
different disciplines, including New Zealand policy and legal interpretations, to develop a coherent
definition for the New Zealand terrestrial and aquatic coastal environment. Using this definition I will
describe the methodological approach I am developing to measure natural character change. This
methodology will measure changes in both natural and human culture components of the environment
to derive an overall natural character assessment.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL CHANGES IN THE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF
MESOZOOPLANKTON IN THE TAMAR ESTUARY
Troy Gaston • [email protected]
Stephen McGowan
Mesozooplankton are a pivotal link in the food chain between pelagic primary producers and higher
trophic organisms. An understanding of mesozooplankton dynamics increases our understanding of
the drivers of ecological productivity in estuarine and coastal systems. The Tamar Estuary is located in
northern Tasmania and drains a catchment of approximately 10,000 km2 (~17% of Tasmania).
Mesozooplankton, analysed for species composition and abundance, size spectra and stable isotope
composition, were collected at 9 sites from the length of the Tamar Estuary and into the nearshore zone
at monthly intervals, and after heavy rainfall during 2007. Water quality parameters and stable isotope
composition of suspended particulate organic matter were measured concurrently. In August, a
sustained period of rainfall in the Tamar Estuary catchment resulted in a buoyant plume extending
approximately 6 km offshore. Nitrogen and chl a concentrations were 280% and 246% higher
respectively when compared to base flow conditions before the plume and were significantly positively
correlated in plume waters. Higher nitrogen and chl a concentrations were also significantly positively
correlated to mesozooplankton abundance with abundance higher at the estuarine mouth and
nearshore locations subsequent to the rainfall event. Similarly, biomass increased post plume indicating
increased overall productivity. Mesozooplankton diversity increased in all locations in response to the
low salinity event and estuarine plume. This study indicates that changes in rainfall significantly alter
estuarine and nearshore primary and secondary production, mesozooplankton diversity and water
quality parameters.
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RESIDENT-SETTLER COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SEQUENCE AND TIMING OF
SETTLEMENT
Shane Geange • [email protected]
Adrian Stier
Many communities undergo repeated periods of development due to seasonally regenerating habitats,
or pulsed arrival of young-of-year. When a species’ persistence in regenerating communities depends
on the strength of competitive interactions, changes in the timing of arrival relative to the arrival of a
competitor can modify competitive strength, and ultimately establishment in the community.
Furthermore, reversals in the sequence of arrival between competing individuals may result in
reversals in competitive dominance. We asked whether competitive interactions between recent labrid
settlers are dependent on the sequence, and temporal separation of their arrival into communities. To
achieve this, we manipulated the sequence and timing of species arrival onto experimental patch reefs
by simulating settlement pulses. Reversals in sequence of arrival resulted in reversals of competitive
dominance, with earlier arriving species having higher survival than later arriving species. Changes in
the temporal separation of arrival between individuals showed that survival declined as late arriving
individuals entered communities progressively later than early arriving individuals. This study
highlights the complex processes acting on the intensity and outcomes of competitive interactions
between recently settled reef fishes, and suggests that (1) the identity of competitors affect competitive
outcomes, and (2) these competitive interactions are further modified by the sequence and timing of
events.
DETERMINING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BENTHIC ALGAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS AN ESTUARY
USING STABLE ISOTOPES
Max Gibbs • [email protected]
Drew Lohrer
Karl Safi
Plots of isotopic data from spatially explicit sediment sampling throughout the Mahurangi Estuary
(North Island, New Zealand) revealed distribution patterns that were related to terrestrial sediment
inputs from the catchment. There were also other coherent spatial distribution patterns that were
initially thought to be related to aquaculture, as there is intensive rack-farming of Pacific oysters,
Crassostrea gigas, on the intertidal zones of the estuary. However, further evaluation of the two main
coherent spatial patterns showed that they were independent of the oyster farming areas. This suggests
that the isotopic patterns were produced by benthic communities within the estuary - either benthic
macrofauna or benthic microphytes. In this study, we used compound-specific isotope analyses of fatty
acid methyl esters (FAME) extracted from the surface sediment samples as biomarkers for tracking the
sediments. As the FAMEs measured in the sediments are typically found in plants, it was assumed that
the coherent spatial isotopic distribution patterns were most likely associated with the benthic
microphyte assemblages. Enumeration of benthic microphytes extracted from spatial sediment samples
identified a broad and variable assemblage of benthic diatoms down the estuary. Using the most
dominant species (estimated from biovolume), these data showed that there were distinct differences in
the major algal species composition in the two areas identified by the isotopic data. The correlation of
the algal data differences with the distribution patterns produced from the isotopic data suggests that
this technique may be used to provide distribution maps of different benthic microphyte communities
within an estuary.
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THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF COASTAL SEDIMENTS TO DEPOSITION FROM FISH FARMS: THE
INFLUENCE OF RESUSPENSION
Hilke Giles • [email protected]
Kay Vopel
The deposition of organic matter below fish cages causes significant changes in sediment redox
dynamics. In typical fish farm locations sediments are frequently resuspended; however, the influence
of resuspension on the decomposition of fish farm waste in coastal sediments is unknown. By analysing
sediment microprofiles, sediment-water fluxes and sediment physico-chemical parameters measured in
a laboratory experiment the response of resuspended and non-resuspended sediments to the deposition
of kingfish (Seriola lalandi lalandi) faeces was investigated. Sediment oxygen consumption rates
calculated from core incubations and microprofiles indicated that fish faeces addition to resuspended
sediments enhanced oxygen consumption less compared to non-resuspended sediments. Sediment
porewater oxygen and pH profiles showed clear responses to fish faeces addition that differed between
resuspended and non-resuspended sediments in the short-term (1.5 - 3 h after addition), indicating less
intense changes in the redox dynamics of the resuspended sediments. Features in pH profiles and
sediment oxygen consumption rates modelled from oxygen profiles provided some insights into the
complexity of microbial and chemical processes involved in the decomposition of fish faeces in coastal
sediments. This study suggests that resuspension diminishes the effects of fish farming on sediment
biogeochemical processes but further research is required before results can be generalised and/or
applied to in situ conditions.
POPULATION STRUCTURE IN THE GIANT AUSTRALIAN CUTTLEFISH - IMPLICATIONS FOR
MANAGEMENT OF A UNIQUE ECO-TOURISM AND FISHERY RESOURCE IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
Bronwyn Gillanders • [email protected]
Melita de Vries
Steve Donnellan
The giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) forms an annual breeding aggregation at Whyalla (South
Australia) that comprises more than a quarter of a million individuals, a phenomenon not known in
other cephalopods. Molecular, chemical and morphometric techniques were used to determine the
population structure of S. apama. Using a combination of standard population genetic analyses and
Bayesian clustering methods we inferred that five genetically different populations exist across the
distribution of S. apama in southern Australia. Statolith chemistry and morphometric analyses then
focused on individuals from South Australia, where the molecular data suggested that three
populations existed. Statolith chemistry and morphological analyses could reliably predict an
individual's membership into the correct population based on the genetic analyses. Results from the
three techniques were therefore in agreement. The most important result is that within South Australia,
the breeding aggregation in the upper Spencer Gulf forms a separate population just above Wallaroo,
with minimal interbreeding with the GSV population. In essence these populations show the hallmarks
of separate species, i.e., genetic separation, separate but adjacent distributions, differences in the
morphology that may indicate ecological differentiation and different patterns of sexual dimorphism. If
these populations are indeed separate species then their evolution from a common ancestral population
appears to have occurred in the very recent past. A long-term management plan for the upper Spencer
Gulf population is critical to protect the population against threats such as fishing and more recently,
the threat of increased salinity and nutrients from the proposed desalination plant.
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NZ COASTAL RESPONSE TO THE PASSAGE OF CYCLONE ‘FUNA’: OPERATIONAL MODEL
SIMULATIONS
Philip Gillibrand • [email protected]
Alison Kohout
Emily Lane
Cyclone 'Funa' passed over New Zealand during January 2008. The response of NZ coastal waters to
the passage of the cyclone is investigated using a coastal hydrodynamic model, RiCOM. Real-time
forecasts of sea level are made by RiCOM within the NIWA operational forecasting system EcoConnect.
We compared model predictions of storm surge for January 2008 with tide gauge observations from 17
locations around NZ. We find that the model performed well at some locations, with a statistical skill as
high as 0.78 at Green Island. At some locations, however, the model was less successful, with a
statistical skill of 0.22 at Sumner Head. There are many possible sources of error in the forecasts, such as
errors in the input variables for wind speed and atmospheric pressure, and errors in the model
dynamics such as wind stress estimation, phase speed, and wave-current interactions. Identifying and
eradicating these errors is an ongoing process. In order to investigate the coastal response in greater
detail, we focus on the ocean dynamics in Cook Strait and Golden Bay during the cyclone. Here, the
model is run in three-dimensional mode. We describe the tidal and residual circulation of the region,
and explore the influence of the cyclone on the dynamics and exchange of the bay. The model results
are compared to meteorological and current data collected by instrumentation installed at a marine
monitoring location in Golden Bay. These results have implications for our understanding of the
nutrient dynamics and ecosystem function within the Nelson Bays.
TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF ANTARCTIC NEARSHORE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS (CASEY STATION) WITH
RELATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND LOCAL IMPACTS
Christopher Gillies • [email protected]
Jonathan Stark
S. Smith
The nearshore region around Antarctica supports significant marine ecosystems, with highly diverse
and abundant benthic invertebrate assemblages that are part of a food web that extends to fish, birds
and marine mammals. In order to develop a predictive understanding of how these ecosystems may
respond to anthropogenic impacts (at both local and global scales) it is essential to have a good
knowledge of ecosystem structure and function and how they relate to environmental forces. The
environmental factors that most influence coastal Antarctic ecosystems are sea ice, light and primary
production and low temperatures, and these have strong effects on the trophic structure of ecosystems
and energy flow through food webs. This project aims to determine primary production-consumerspredator-prey relations within an Antarctic benthic food web, at least up to the level of predatory fish.
By characterising the benthic communities that occupy areas with differing ice cover, we will lay the
foundation for understanding which organisms will be significantly influenced by changes in ice
conditions. Identifying the trophic relationships in near shore ecosystems and the effects of local human
impacts (such as contamination) on trophic function will enable predictions on the effects of not only
changes in sea ice conditions, but also any potential impacts in these ecosystems, to benthic
communities and other components of the food web. Preliminary results on the structure of benthic
food webs, as determined by carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis, will be presented. Results
from analysis of the trophic structure of local assemblages affected by sewage and other contamination
(metals and hydrocarbons) will also be presented.
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LOCALISED PATTERNS OF CONNECTIVITY FOR THE INVASIVE SEA-SQUIRT, STYELA CLAVA
Sharyn Goldstien • [email protected]
David Schiel
Neil Gemmell
The Asian tunicate Styela clava is an invasive marine organism that has spread throughout the northern
hemisphere, with detrimental effects on aquaculture industry. S. clava has recently established
populations within two of New Zealand’s main Harbours (Hauraki and Lyttelton) and new incursions
have since been noted in several other ports of New Zealand. Here we show results from a global
phylogeographic study using the mitochondrial COI gene and further explore local patterns from
microsatellite markers. Both data sets suggest multiple invasions of S. clava into New Zealand, with
limited vectoring between Hauraki Gulf and Lyttelton populations. 12 polymorphic microsatellite
markers and a more extensive sampling regime within the Hauraki Gulf and Lyttelton show patterns of
connectivity among populations within the ports. These data are also being used to more accurately
assign source populations to new incursions as they are identified.
IS IT A CASE OF THE MORE YOU LOOK THE MORE YOU FIND: MARINE BIOSECURITY SURVEILLANCE IN
NEW ZEALAND.
Brendan Gould • [email protected]
Naomi Parker • [email protected]
Biosecurity activities protect the economy, environment and people of New Zealand from the risks and
consequences of the introduction and presence of risk organisms. Biosecurity surveillance plays a vital
role in supporting and informing a wide range of these activities, including incursion responses, pest
management, official assurances for trade, risk analysis and import health standards. The drivers
affecting why, how and to what level we undertake surveillance have changed considerably. There are
also new issues to contend with; globalisation has resulted in increased opportunities for spread of
pests and diseases and environmental changes are resulting in changes to the host ranges and
distribution. The New Zealand government has implemented a comprehensive marine biosecurity
surveillance programme to support marine biosecurity activities within New Zealand, comprising
baseline information gathering, active targeted and passive surveillance.
MULTIPLE MECHANISMS OF FACILITATION BY AN INVASIVE ALGA
Paul Gribben • [email protected]
Jeff Wright
Because of their reliance on the presence of a primary facilitator, communities associated with habitatforming ecosystem engineers are considered hierarchically organised through positive interactions.
Conceptual models of community organization including facilitation suggest benthic marine
communities are largely driven through facilitation by habitat-forming species. However, most existing
models of community structure have focused on negative interactions (e.g., competition and predation)
to the exclusion of positive interactions. Interactions between native and invasive species are generally
assumed to be negative and such negative interactions are widely reported. However, positive effects
on community structure by habitat-forming invasive marine have been demonstrated, although the
mechanisms underlying such facilitation are poorly studied. The invasive alga Caulerpa taxifolia, first
discovered in SE Australia, is one of the 100 most invasive species in the world. Despite reported
negative impacts on native biota in SE Australia, the effects of C. taxifolia at the individual, population
and community level are complex. Here we present the results of recent studies that demonstrate that a
single habitat-forming invasive species can have multiple mechanisms of facilitation, and that these
mechanisms can act directly, indirectly and via trait-mediated interactions with native ecosystem
engineers.
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GENE FLOW AND CONNECTIVITY AMONG POPULATIONS OF THE SEAGRASS SHRIMP PERICLIMENES
FROM EASTERN QUEENSLAND
Jodie Haig • [email protected]
Jane Hughes
Rod Connolly
Many marine organisms along the east Queensland coast show high levels of genetic connectivity (gene
flow), such high connectivity is often due to the organism’s effective dispersal mechanisms and the
existing coastal currents. Little is known about the connectivity of small seagrass nekton on broad
spatial scales; this is especially true for small nektonic shrimp. By providing a better understanding of
habitat use, connectivity and gene flow among populations of small seagrass-related crustaceans, we
are better able to make important management decisions to protect shallow water marine habitats.
Protection of shallow water marine habitats, or “nursery habitats”, will become increasingly important
in the face of global climate change and ever expanding coastal development. High levels of gene flow
and connectivity were expected for populations of small crustaceans due to their high abundance in
most seagrass habitats along Queensland’s east coast. Mitochondrial sequence data from the
cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene and nuclear sequence data were used to investigate the gene flow and
connectivity among populations of the seagrass shrimp Periclimenes indicus. Despite the long
(approximately two week) larval phase of P. indicus and high potential for dispersal, populations were
found to have significant genetic structure along the east coast of Queensland. Biogeographic barriers,
life history traits and behavioural characteristics were found to play important roles in the connectivity
and structure of this seagrass-associated species.
SEAGRASS: A BARRIER TO POST-SETTLEMENT COLONISATION OF JUVENILE BIVALVES AUSTROVENUS
STUTCHBURYI AND MACOMONA LILIANA
Sarah Hailes • [email protected]
Carolyn Lundquist
Conrad Pilditch
Intertidal seagrass habitats are extremely sensitive to human induced disturbances, particularly
terrestrial sedimentation which results in smothering and increased suspended sediment
concentrations that inhibit photosynthetic capacity. To manage future impacts and guide restoration
efforts of disturbed areas, it is important to understand how organism transport varies between habitat
types, thus influencing rates of recolonisation and recovery from disturbance. While larval transport is
one major source of colonists, many estuarine species are also transported as post-settlement juveniles
in bedload or in the water-column. Post-settlement transport is often correlated with current strength
and wind-waves. As vegetation such as seagrass can modify flow conditions, we hypothesise that
vegetation should influence the likelihood of colonisation of these habitats compared to unvegetated
habitats. To investigate post-settlement colonisation of seagrass habitats, we investigated the influence
of boundary layer dynamics on seagrass canopy penetration by juveniles of two New Zealand bivalves,
Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana. In a laboratory flume we conducted experiments
manipulating flow velocities and density of artificial seagrass. Flow measurements within the seagrass
canopy demonstrate reduced flow velocity within seagrass beds compared to unvegetated substrates.
Post-settlement bivalves showed decreased transport distance by both bedload and water-column
dispersers in both high and low density seagrass beds. Our results suggest that seagrass beds are
potentially subject to reduced transport and recolonisation by dispersing organisms, further decreasing
their ability to respond to and recover from increasing rates of disturbances.
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REPRODUCTION AFTER LEAVING HOME: DIFFERENTIAL ABILITIES OF DETACHED ADULT FUCOIDS TO
PRODUCE OFFSPRING AND DISPERSE
Nicki Hawes • [email protected]
David Taylor
David Schiel
Given the importance of marine algae to rocky shore communities, knowledge of their dispersal is
fundamental to understanding local population dynamics, and is an essential component of general
models of community structure. Many marine algal species have the potential to disperse both as
propagules, and as floating adult plants. However, the ability of marine algae to disperse via drifting,
reproductively viable adults is largely unknown. Despite the apparent acceptance of drifting adults as a
long-distance dispersal mechanism, very little is known about the reproductive biology of drifting
algae, or the relative potential for dispersal offshore following detachment. Information on dispersal is
important for understanding connectivity between populations, recovery after disturbance, and the
ecological interactions structuring communities. In a series of experiments, I test hypotheses about the
ability of Durvillaea antarctica, Hormosira banksii and Cystophora torulosa to disperse as reproductively
viable adults. I investigate the reproductive viability of both drifting and beach-cast algae, and compare
reproductive activity with control plants that remain attached to the substratum. The influence of
nearshore processes on the movement of fucoid algae following detachment from the shore, and the
conditions favourable for both retention and dispersal offshore, are also examined. There are large
species-specific differences in dispersal ability and in reproductive viability via drifters.
THE EXPRESSION OF TOLERANCE IN SARGASSUM
Kyra Hay • [email protected]
Catherine Lovelock
Numerous plants and algae have the ability to express tolerance in response to herbivory. Tolerance is
the expression of traits that reduce the negative impacts of herbivory on plant fitness after damage has
occurred. Common tolerance traits include compensatory growth, increased photosynthesis and
changes in resource allocation. Although the expression of defense (traits that reduced the plant quality
as food for herbivores) is known to be wide spread in macroalgae the extent of tolerance is still
relatively unknown. This study aimed to determine if the sub tropical brown macroalgae Sargassum
expresses tolerance traits in response to herbivory. Laboratory experiments involving simulated
herbivory regimes on Sargassum tissue were undertaken to determine if Sargassum increases
photosynthesis in response to tissue loss/damage. Photosynthetic rates were estimated using
chlorophyll fluorescence. Significant differences in photosynthetic rates were found between some
treatment groups. However, the response was not universal across the simulated herbivory treatments
used in the experiments. This study shows Sargassum has the ability to alter photosynthetic rates in
response to some types of tissue damage therefore showing Sargassum has the potential to express
tolerance to herbivory in the environment.
MAPPING NEW ZEALAND’S DEEP-SEA - THE FORAM WAY
Bruce Hayward • [email protected]
Ashwaq Sabaa
Hugh Grenfell
Helen Neil
We use census counts (59,000 specimens) of 424 species of benthic foraminifera in 264 samples to
identify and map benthic soft sediment ecological regions in New Zealand's deep-sea (50-5000 m
depth). Using cluster analysis (chord coefficient) of the full census data we identify seven high-level
ecological associations (A-G), and 28 lower-level subassociations. Of the seven associations, two are
74
largely restricted to abyssal depths (> 2000 m), three to bathyal depths (200-2000 m) and two to mid
shelf - upper bathyal depths (50-600 m). The deepest association (> 3500 m) and two of the bathyal
associations only occur east of New Zealand, but no associations are restricted to the west. One of the
bathyal associations only occurs beneath the Subantarctic Front along the south-eastern edge of the
Campbell and Bounty Plateaux. The two shallowest associations have northern and southern
distributions approximating the pattern of overlying Subtropical and Subantarctic Water. Cluster
analysis of presence/absence data produces similar, but not identical, ecological associations, indicating
that total species composition is equally important as the relative abundance of dominant species in
defining these regions. Canonical correspondence analysis indicates that the main factors that drive the
faunal patterns and allow subdivision into ecological regions are depth-related (e.g. bottom
temperature, bottom oxygen, organic carbon flux, carbonate corrosiveness) latitude-related (e.g. surface
temperature, chlorophyll-a, surface phosphate), and bottom-current-related (mud %). Not surprisingly
the resulting ecological regions' map mimics bottom topography and to a lesser extent the properties of
the directly overlying water masses.
DREDGING INCREASES THE ACCUMULATION OF METALS BY OYSTERS IN THE WATER COLUMN: A
MULTI-SCALE APPROACH
Luke Hedge • [email protected]
Nathan Knott
Emma Johnston
Accumulation of metals increased dramatically in oysters exposed to contaminated sediments
resuspended by dredging activities. Sydney Rock Oysters, Saccostrea glomerata, were deployed for 11
weeks before dredging and for two equivalent periods during dredging in Port Kembla Harbour,
Australia. Saccostrea showed large increases in accumulation of Zn, Cu and Sn during dredging in the
Port relative to oysters deployed in reference estuaries. Cd, Fe and Co also showed patterns indicating
that dredging activities had influenced their accumulation. Our results also demonstrate the
importance of external reference locations (estuaries) and multiple spatial scales to the design of impact
assessment studies.
OF MICE AND MEN: RESTORATION OF SPAWNING HABITAT OF INANGA, GALAXIAS MACULATUS
Michael Hickford • [email protected]
Mathilde Cagnon
David Schiel
New Zealand’s diadromous Galaxiid fishes cross major ecosystems to complete their life cycle. The
most common species inanga, Galaxias maculatus, has a marine larval phase that migrates into
freshwater (as whitebait) to develop and later spawn. Spawning occurs almost exclusively in tidally
influenced areas of coastal waterways. Within those areas, we have found that spawning adults show
strong preferences for particular vegetation. Eggs are laid amongst riparian vegetation and develop in
the terrestrial environment for 2-3 weeks until they hatch after being flooded again by spring tides.
Local populations show strong fidelity to spawning areas that they have used before. Surveys on the
east and west coasts of the South Island have shown that successive spawning cohorts, within and
between years, use the same spawning areas in rivers. Anthropogenic impacts (sedimentation,
impoundment, stock grazing, and modifications to riparian contours and vegetation) together with egg
predation (by mice and slugs) can severely impinge on this species’ ability to complete its life cycle,
Spawning appears to be absent altogether in some rivers, and survival of terrestrially developing eggs
75
is often very low; effectively creating “sink” populations that contribute little to future stocks. We will
present results from manipulative experiments, which measure egg survival in modified riparian
vegetation, and predator exclusion experiments to delineate the sources of egg mortality. These
findings are fundamental to successful restoration of inanga spawning habitat.
RESUSPENSION OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS: IMPACTS ON A FILTER FEEDER
Nicole Hill • [email protected]
Catherine King
Emma Johnston
Disturbances such as dredging, storms or bioturbation can result in the resuspension of contaminated
sediments. This has the potential to impact on organisms that live on hard substrates above these
sediments such as tubeworms, sponges and tunicates. In this study, Antarctic spirorbid polychaetes
were subjected to aqueous exposures of copper, lead and zinc, singly and in combination to assess their
sensitivity to these metals. Following this, a novel technique was used to resuspend sediments that had
been spiked with four different concentrations of metals up to 500 µg/g Cu, 1000 µg/g Pb and 5000 µg/g
Zn. The response of spirorbids to filtered (aqueous metal exposure) and unfiltered (aqueous and
particulate metal exposure) treatments was measured. Spirorbids exhibited a behavioural response to
aqueous copper concentrations as low as 20µg/L, however, the LC50 for copper was 600 µg/L. Similarly
this species is tolerant of high concentrations of zinc (LC50 > 5000 µg/L) and lead (LC50 > 2900 µg/L)
and the effect of copper and zinc in combination was not additive. The sediment resuspension method
produced an average of 70 mg/L of suspended particulates. Metals were released from the sediment
into the dissolved phase in measurable concentrations. In treatments with suspended particulates,
metal concentrations were greater than filtered treatments. The presence of resuspended clean
sediment did not negatively affect spirorbid behaviour. The proportion of healthy spirorbids decreased
significantly as spiked metal concentrations increased regardless of whether suspended particulates
were present or not. However, exposure to resuspended sediment in addition to dissolved metals
further reduced the proportion of healthy spirorbids in the low and moderate metal treatments. This
study is one of the first to show that the resuspension of contaminated sediments can be an important
pathway for toxicity in hard substrate organisms.
THE IMPACT OF METAL CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS ON HARD AND SOFT SUBSTRATE MARINE
ASSEMBLAGES AT TEMPERATE AND POLAR LATITUDES
Nicole Hill • [email protected]
Stuart Simpson
Emma Johnston
Jonathan Stark
Manipulative field experiments were used to assess the impact of metal contaminated sediments on soft
and hard substrate marine assemblages at temperate and polar latitudes. The soft sediment fauna
included species below the sediment-water interface and hard substrate fauna included bryozoans,
tube worms, sponges and other fauna that live on boulders above the sediment. The locations
compared were Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia and Casey Station, Antarctica. Artificial hardsubstrates (small boulders) were placed on top of containers of sediment spiked with varying
concentrations of copper, lead and zinc. Temperate experimental units were retrieved after six months
and Antarctic units after 10 months. The abundances of organisms such as amphipods, isopods,
copepods and polychaetes that recruited to the soft substrate were negatively affected by increasing
metal concentrations at both latitudes. However, this trend was not seen in the polar hard substrate
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community, possibly due to low recruitment rates. Also, and unexpectedly, the abundance of some
temperate hard substrate invertebrates such as ascidians and sponges were positively affected by metal
contamination. This suggests that contaminated sediments impact directly on sediment fauna and that
these organisms may mediate indirect effects on hard substrate fauna. Chemical and physical analyses
on sediment cores and traps revealed that the Sydney site was subject to moderate hydrodynamic
forces that resulted in a significant loss or dilution of particulate metals in the sediment containers. This
was likely to the preferential loss of the fine fraction of the sediment, but may also be related to the
abundance of bioturbating infauna. The Antarctic sites were subject to weaker hydrodynamic forces
with significant fines only lost from the non-spiked treatment. Consequently the concentration of
particulate metals remaining was higher than in Sydney.
EFFICACY OF ROTATING BRUSH TECHNOLOGIES AS AN INCURSION RESPONSE TOOL
Grant Hopkins • [email protected]
Hull fouling has been identified as an important pathway for the spread of non-indigenous marine
species. However, the management of associated biosecurity risks has proved challenging. Left
unmanaged, a fouled vessel can pose a biosecurity risk through the detachment and dispersal of viable
material, and through spawning by adult taxa upon arrival in a recipient port or region. These risks can
be effectively managed through the removal of the vessel to land for defouling (e.g. dry-docking).
However, alternative methods are needed for small (e.g. recreational) vessels, as well as for large
vessels fouled outside their dry-docking schedule. Among the various treatment options, in-water
cleaning is relatively common, although some countries have placed restrictions on this method
because of perceived biosecurity risks. The efficacy of two different in-water rotating brush systems
developed in New Zealand has recently being tested. Results indicate that both systems are effective in
removing fouling (>90%) from settlement plates; however in some cases intact organisms have been
observed on the plates following treatment. The systems retain a large proportion of the material
defouled from the plates, although 100% capture has not been achieved. The majority of fouling lost to
the environment was crushed and fragmented; however a diverse range of viable organisms were
present. Implications for the use of these tools as potential incursion response tools will be discussed.
MARINE SCIENCE IN ACTION: TAKING THE 'ON-GROUND PRINCIPLE' UNDERWATER IN NSW,
AUSTRALIA
Brian Hughes • [email protected]
The “on-ground” principle for Australian Government investment in Natural Resource Management
(NRM) aims to direct funding towards projects that deliver tangible environmental outcomes. Turning
the ‘on-ground’ principle into ‘in-water’ outcomes presents challenges for regionally-based NRM
bodies seeking to show tangible outcomes in the marine environment. In NSW, Australia, these
organisations are known as Catchment Management Authorities (or CMAs). Coastal CMAs in NSW
have developed partnerships with marine scientists to collate available information and prioritise
investment in research, mapping, assessment and ‘in-water’ projects. Some of these projects include
mapping the marine habitats of NSW, installation of seagrass friendly moorings to protect benthic
habitats and supplying by-catch reduction devices to commercial fishers. Collaboration on the seagrass
friendly moorings project has provided an opportunity for applied research into the rehabilitation of
disturbed seagrass areas with seagrass seedlings. Education and community engagement are often key
management actions to minimise human impacts in the marine environment. The success of education
and community engagement projects has been enhanced by linking directly with marine science
programs. For example, scientists undertaking a biodiversity assessment of intertidal rocky shores on
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the Central Coast of NSW involved community volunteers in the collection of data on four species of
molluscs. Several projects in the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA region have improved the links between
scientists, various levels of government, community and local businesses. Notably, corporate
sponsorship has been attracted for marine education, monitoring and research. The Hunter-Central
Rivers CMA runs a highly successful program of marine science presentations titled the Marine
Discovery Series. The series provides an opportunity for marine scientists to communicate with a broad
spectrum of the community and promote special features of their local marine environment.
A FIELD STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DIET AND HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN
SAND FLATHEAD (PLATYCEPHALUS BASSENSIS)
Andrew Hunt • [email protected]
The Derwent estuary in southeast Tasmania has some of the highest concentrations of heavy metals in
sediments in the world. Mercury is of particular concern due to its high toxicity and because the spatial
variability of its concentrations in sediments is not reflected in biota. Past data reveal that muscle tissue
of sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) from the Ralphs Bay region had the highest concentrations of
mercury despite having almost 20 times less mercury in sediments than the most polluted region. This
disparity is sought to be explained in this study, by relating diet and heavy metal concentrations in two
major prey groups of flathead (crabs and fish) to the concentrations in muscle, liver and gonad tissues
of flathead. Mercury concentrations in flathead muscle were above the Food Standards Australia and
New Zealand (FSANZ) guidelines of 0.5 mg/kg at three of the four regions of the Derwent estuary
(means: 0.33, 0.57, 0.62, 0.64 mg/kg) and represent a risk to human health if frequently consumed.
Strong relationships were found between mercury concentrations in flathead and diet, particularly with
the proportion of crabs in the diet. The spatial variability of mercury concentrations in sediments was
not reflected in flathead organs nor prey crabs and fish. The relationship between mercury in sediments
and prey should be further investigated, as well as mercury levels in other humanly consumed fish
species of the Derwent estuary.
VALUING MARINE RESERVES: AN ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT AT LEIGH
Louise Hunt • [email protected]
Conservation creates economic value in New Zealand, but how much? It is well known that our natural
environment and the recreation opportunities associated with it underpin tourism in New Zealand. The
Department of Conservation commissioned studies in 2004-2006 on the regional economic impacts of
selected activities and ecosystem services at selected sites on public conservation land to answer this
question. Marine reserves are valuable places for biodiversity protection, scientific research and
recreation, but are they valuable from an economic standpoint? This study is the first comprehensive
economic impact analysis of a New Zealand marine reserve. This regional economic impact assessment
of activities associated with the Cape Rodney - Okakari Marine Reserve on the Rodney District
measures the reserve's economic impact on variables such as the level of employment, expenditure and
incomes in Rodney District. The reserve was established in 1975 and is visited by an estimated 350 000
people per year. Interviews with over 1000 visitors concluded that the majority of the visitors would
not have visited the Rodney District if the reserve did not exist. The results show the reserve creates
significant economic value to the region, and allow the Department to showcase the business platform
that marine reserves can support.
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INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CORALLINE TURFS AND SEDIMENTS AFFECTING MACROALGAL
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
Tania Hurley • [email protected]
David Schiel
Fucoids are structurally important species on the rocky shore, having large effects on the biomass of
entire intertidal communities. Therefore an understanding of factors affecting their growth and survival
as juveniles is of importance for understanding the biological factors structuring the rocky intertidal
communities. One factor that can affect growth and survival is sedimentation, which dominates many
coastal rocky reef sites and may well increase as rainfall patterns change. Sediments interact with many
benthic species, but particularly turfing algae that cover rocks and fucoids that provide 3-d canopy
structure. To test the relationships between sediments and benthic algae, six field sites were established
between November 2007 and May 2008 around the Kaikoura peninsula. Sediment traps at each site
collected and analysed weekly have shown that sediments fluctuate on fine spatial scales (mostly in
amount) and seasonal scales (in amount and grain size). Because sediments fluctuate and turfing algae
go through cycles of different thicknesses, experimental manipulations of sediment depth and height of
the coralline turf were done to test effects on community responses. Preliminary results show
differences between treatments at individual sites and between sites. Ephemeral algae blooms were
greatest at sites with the lowest sediment load. Complete removal of benthic algae provided the
strongest responses, with ephemeral cover reaching up to 98%. Minimal ephemeral response was
observed at intermediate sites. The greatest recruitment of fucoid algae occurred at sites with
intermediate levels of sedimentation. These early results confirm that the level of sedimentation can
alter the abundance of species and community composition. This may indicate that ecosystem
functioning could be altered by anthropogenic changes in the sediment load along rocky coasts.
DETACHED KELP IN SEAGRASS MEADOWS: TRASH OR TREASURE?
Glenn Hyndes • [email protected]
Paul Lavery
Chri Doropoulos
The kelp Ecklonia radiata is dominant alga on reefs throughout southern Australia, and when dislodged
from reefs during storm events, is transported into adjacent habitats such as seagrass where it
potentially subsidizes production in those habitats. The aim of this study was to determine, through an
enriched stable isotope approach, whether Ecklonia that is detached from reefs, is incorporated into the
foodweb of seagrass meadows and thereby enhances productivity in this ecosystem. Ecklonia radiata
was collected from reefs and enriched in δ15N using Ammonium-15N Chloride. δ15N-enriched Ecklonia
was then used in a series of aquaria and field experiments to test the hypothesis that Ecklonia subsidises
productivity in seagrass meadows. δ15N values were enriched in both seagrass and epiphytes that were
exposed to enriched Ecklonia in both laboratory and field experiments, and likewise, δ15N values of the
Cantharidus lepidus an abundant gastropod in seagrass meadows were enriched in both laboratory and
field experiments. These results indicate that primary producers take up nutrients from detrital Ecklonia
either directly or indirectly, and primary consumers utilize this brown alga as a food source. The study
shows the connectivity between two dominant habitats in a coastal landscape. Processes and
implications will be discussed.
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ANALYSING THE ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS TO SUSTAINABILITY OF CORAL REEFS
Rijal Idrus • [email protected]
Despite efforts to eliminate destructive fishing and improve coral reef management, the state of coral
reefs in Indonesia remains under threat from anthropogenic disturbances and is continuously
deteriorating. As in many developing countries, Indonesian coastal communities are often resource rich
but income poor. With these paradoxes as a backdrop, this study examines why coastal resources are
being continuously degraded, and apparently by the people whose livelihoods depend on them.
Fieldwork was conducted in eleven Sulawesi coastal communities. The dynamic of coral reefs
destruction in study sites is a classic example of the "tragedy of the commons". Field evidences reveal
that an array of competing demands and conflicting interests, coupled with inefficient institutional
arrangements, have rendered inadequate many resource management institutions and efforts, allowing
destructive patterns of resource utilization to persist. Local communities are disempowered when
confronted with the intricate network of destructive-fishing actors targeting coral reefs. This collusive
network must be considered in any effort to achieve an effective management. Study findings also
suggest that when a coastal community manages to overcome dilemma in common-pool resource
utilisation, conservation measures can be implemented and a degree of resource sustainability attained.
The outcomes of this research provide insight into the dynamic couplings of human and natural aspects
of coastal resource systems and, as such, can help improve the decision making process and policies
affecting coastal communities in developing nations.
ITINERANT TRAVELERS: HAVE WE UNDERESTIMATED THE RATES OF IMMIGRATION AND
ESTABLISHMENT BY MARINE INVADERS?
Graeme Inglis • [email protected]
Biological invasions are often depicted as a series of stages through which an organism must pass to
become a pest; from uptake and carriage by a human transport pathway, through release and
establishment of self-sustaining populations in a novel environment, to subsequent spread and impact.
Each stage presents different physiological and demographic challenges that not all species are able to
negotiate. Popular portrayals of the strength of selection at each stage give the impression that
successful invasions are comparatively rare, stochastic events achieved from initially small founding
populations that somehow overcome low genetic diversity and high extinction risk to become
extremely abundant and widespread (the "invasion paradox"). In island biogeography and
conservation theory the persistence of small populations is highly dependent on immigration rate. I
discuss the results of recent research which suggests that founder effects may be less common and
repeat introductions more frequent than appreciated in the dynamics of marine invasions. These
findings have implications for understanding of the divergent ecology often exhibited by invasive
species in their native and non-native ranges. The number of marine species transported daily by
shipping remains high, despite international measures to reduce the problem. Projected growth in
maritime trade will see the world shipping fleet increase in number, size and speed over the coming
decade. The implications of this growth on rates of immigration of marine species will be discussed in
the context of recent research on ballast water and hull fouling pathways for marine invaders.
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RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BIOFOULING BY NON-INDIGENOUS SPECIES ON INTERNATIONAL
VESSELS.
Agate Ponder-Sutton
Oliver Floerl
Andrew Bell
Dan Kluza
Martin Unwin
Biofouling on ships’ hulls is an important pathway for the global exchange of marine species that may
rival ballast water in the number of species transported. The amount and composition of biofouling on
a vessel is influenced by a range of factors including how well the vessel is maintained, its physical
design, speed, and travel history. We describe the results of statistical modelling to identify diagnostic
features of vessels that can be used to predict the extent and richness of biofouling by non-indigenous
species. The study utilized data collected as part of a MAF Biosecurity New Zealand funded survey of
biofouling on nearly 500 international vessels that arrived in New Zealand between 2004 and 2006. The
sample included 182 private yachts, 50 cruise liners, 261 merchant vessels and 3 fishing vessels. Fouling
organisms on each vessel were sampled by divers using a standardized methodology and were
identified by taxonomic specialists to the lowest possible unit. Potential correlates of biofouling for each
vessel were derived from a questionnaire completed by the vessel’s master that detailed information on
the vessel’s design specifications, maintenance record and recent voyage history. Boosted regression
trees were used to identify correlates that best predicted the biomass of fouling and numbers of nonindigenous species identified from the vessels.
SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY IN DETECTION SURVEYS FOR MARINE PESTS
Don Morrisey
Having confidence that a pest will be found if it is present is an important element of the design of pest
surveillance. While the computational theory for estimating confidence of detection is relatively wellestablished for surveillance of agricultural pests and diseases, practical application of this theory to
environmental pests is more complex. Natural environments contain a mosaic of habitats that may be
more, or less, suitable for the pest, so that it has different likelihoods of being encountered within them.
The distribution of founding populations will also be influenced by the location of initial release and
patterns of dispersal and recruitment away from it. For these reasons, probability- or risk-based sample
designs are considered more efficient for targeted pest surveillance than are simple random or
systematic designs. In probability-based sampling designs, survey effort is allocated according the
likelihood that the pest will be present in different strata of the survey area. There is, however,
considerable uncertainty in defining the survey area, the risk strata and the likelihood of occurrence. In
this presentation, I discuss sources of uncertainty in the design of surveillance for early detection of
marine pests using examples from surveys implemented in New Zealand ports and harbours for high
priority marine pests. Our results highlight the importance of empirical tests of uncertainty in marine
surveillance to improve survey methods, sample allocation and, ultimately, the confidence of detection.
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EVIDENCE OF PREY BASE SHIFTS IN ROCK LOBSTERS (JASUS EDWARDSII) IN RESPONSE TO HABITAT
CONVERSION: IMPLICATIONS FOR EFFICACY OF NEWLY ESTABLISHED MARINE RESERVES IN
FIORDLAND
Lucy Jack • [email protected]
Stephen Wing
Rebecca McLeod
Persistence of subpopulations dispersed among spatial management units, such as marine reserves,
relies heavily upon the quality of local habitat, as well as size and connectivity of habitat patches. Here
we examine the relative abundance of red rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) and their primary bivalve food
resources within three marine reserves in the Doubtful/ Bradshaw Sound complex. We use stable
isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) to resolve differences in resource use by J. edwardsii among these
regions. Furthermore, we examine patterns in the relative concentration and ?13C signature of
abundant fatty acid compounds as an indication of the carbon sources to each population. We find
distinctive patterns in the relative abundance of rock lobsters with significantly more animals in the
marine reserves at Te Awaatu Channel and Kutu Parera than the surrounding open fishing areas and
within the reserve at Taipari Roa. Taipari Roa Reserve is distinctive in that bivalve abundance is at
extremely low levels due to freshwater input from the Manapouri hydroelectric power plant. Analysis
of δ13C, δ15N and δ34S as well as δ13C of 16:1δ7 and 18:1δ7 indicate that in those areas where
heterotrophic bivalves are rare rock lobsters rely more on carbon from recycled forest litter made
available through chemoautotrophic bacterial recycling. These findings suggest that efficacy of the new
marine reserves is influenced by habitat quality in terms of the lability and abundance of food resources
for rock lobsters. We highlight the importance of considering habitat quality for effective
implementation of spatial management. Keywords: lobster, marine reserve, stable isotopes, habitat
quality, Fiordland, fatty acid biomarkers
THE STATUS AND FUTURE OF KINA ROE ENHANCEMENT IN NEW ZEALAND
Philip James • [email protected]
Phil Heath
Chris Woods
There has been interest in roe enhancement of kina (Evechinus chloroticus) in New Zealand for a number
of decades. This has intensified in more recent years as worldwide supplies of sea urchin roe have
decreased and demand has increased. Over the past eight years there have been a number of
substantial research programmes that have focused on various aspects of roe enhancement of Evechinus
chloroticus. This presentation summaries the research that has been undertaken, discusses the current
status of roe enhancement in New Zealand and its future prospects.
TESTING INVASIBILITY THEORY IN MARINE COMMUNITIES BY MANIPULATING PROPAGULE SUPPLY
Emma Johnston • [email protected]
Graeme Clark
Richard Piola
Biological invasions are difficult to reverse. Consequently, a great deal of experimental research has
aimed to identify community attributes that confer invasion resistance. In terrestrial ecology the
majority of this work has been conducted by manipulating invasive propagule supply (e.g., adding
seeds). However this approach has rarely been used in marine systems. We have developed novel
techniques for exposing marine sessile invertebrate communities to controlled numbers of invasive
propagules. Using these techniques we have compared the invasibility of assemblages that differ in age,
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resource availability, physical disturbance, and pollution exposure. Results show that invasibility
decreases with increasing assemblage age and increases with increasing resource availability, physical
disturbance and pollution exposure.
CLOSING THE BIOFOULING GAPS - DEVELOPING THE FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTING MEASURES
Liz Jones • [email protected]
Since 2000 biosecurity measures at the border have addressed the risk of marine pest introductions
transferred through ballast water. Work is now underway to address the other major marine pest
pathway - biofouling on vessel hulls. New Zealand and Australia led the world in addressing ballast
water and are endeavouring to do the same for biofouling controls. The operating framework for these
controls will need to cover prerequisites for importing a boat or ship or for visiting New Zealand ports,
offshore communication and guidelines on how vessels can meet these, a border assessment and
inspection system, and measures and penalties for vessels that fail to meet prerequisites including
establishment of approved facilities for haul out and treatment of smaller vessels and other approved
treatments for larger vessels. The establishment of such a framework using the instruments available
under the Biosecurity Act is discussed.
THE FOOD AND FEEDING OF EIGHT FISH SPECIES FROM THE UPPER SLOPE OFF THE WAIRARAPA
COAST, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Matthew Jones • [email protected]
The diets of eight species of demersal fishes from the upper continental slope (c. 240-450 metres) were
determined from samples taken during late January and early February 2004, off the Wairarapa coast,
North Island, New Zealand. Diets were described from a combination of benthopelagic and benthic
sources, with most species exhibiting ontogenetic shifts in diet, in that larger-bodied food (Teleosti
and/or Natantia) become more important in the diets of larger fishes. Lepidorhynchus denticulatus, H.
mediterraneus, and Capromimus abbreviatus had predominantly benthopelagic diets, while the diets of
Helicolenus percoides, Caelorinchus bollonsi, C. biclinozonalis, and Argentina elongata were predominantly
benthic, with the crab Carcinoplax victoriensis an important food item. The diet of C. oliverianus was a
mix of benthopelagic and benthic organisms. Overall the diets of these fishes probably reflect regional
and seasonal levels of food availability.
THE ISOLATION OF MARINE NATURAL PRODUCT TARGET PROTEINS
Peter Karuso • [email protected]
As reactions in Nature are biased towards function, it follows that every natural product should have a
biological receptor; only if one accepts this premise can the enormous biochemical expense of
producing natural products be rationalised. Even though natural products may not have co-evolved
with human proteins, they have emerged in nature to interact with biomolecules from a range of other
species. As Jerrold Meinwald succinctly put it, “Natural products have evolved to interact with
something, and that something may not be so different from human proteins”. This assertion is
supported by a recent survey, which found that 51% of the 983 new small molecule chemical entities
introduced as drugs worldwide during 1981-2006 were either natural products, natural product
derivatives or natural product mimics. Though few marine natural products have made it to market,
there are many that show potential, particularly in cancer and infectious diseases, because of their
novel structures and often potent biological activity. However, the cellular target(s) and mode(s) of
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action of these compounds are rarely identified. A technique that could simultaneously and quickly
identify potential protein binding partner of a natural product would help validate marine natural
products as a source for drug leads and facilitate drug development. This lecture will outline a platform
technology we call “reverse chemical proteomics”, that combines approaches from chemistry and
molecular biology, to link small molecules with their protein binding partner(s) and the genes for those
proteins. This technique has the potential to unlock the secrets behind the activities of many marine
natural products and expand the reach of natural products chemistry in defining gene, cell and
organism functions in health and disease.
SEASONAL CYCLE OF OCEAN COLOUR AROUND NEW ZEALAND
Sean Kennan • [email protected]
Matt Pinkerton
Daily, high resolution, ocean colour data from the SeaWifs mission are analyzed to describe the mean
and seasonal climatology in the southwest Pacific Ocean, especially in the New Zealand Exclusive
Economic Zone. Variations are dominated by the spring bloom, and a autumn bloom which is
especially strong east of New Zealand on the Chatham Rise. Overall, most of the colour variability is
explained by the seasonal (and semiannual) cycles. However, on the Chatham rise, where these cycles
are largest, there remains a large portion of unexplained variance, suggesting that circulation patterns
associated with eddies and fronts may play a significant role.
WHAT IS VALUE? DEFINING AND LOCATING THE VALUES TO PROTECT IN NEW ZEALAND'S MARINE
ENVIRONMENT.
Daniel Kluza • [email protected]
Andrew Bell
A fundamental question in biosecurity is "What do we want to protect?" Under the New Zealand
Biosecurity Strategy, a range of values needs to be considered, however in order to provide appropriate
protection we need to be able to better define what these values are, and where they are located. To this
end, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and New Zealand's Department of Conservation have embarked
on a 'value mapping' research programme, for the coastal marine environment, to determine what
value is, how it is measured, and where it exists. This project is currently in the valuation phase, which
has demonstrated the complexity of the task at hand. Methodologies range from the relatively
straightforward application of economic value associated with marine industries, through to more
complex issues such as reconciling Maori and Pakeha concepts of value. This talk will address the value
mapping programme in general, and focus on the question "What is value?"
FACTORS INFLUENCING PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCTION IN FOUR COASTAL LAGOONS IN NSW,
AUSTRALIA
Samantha Kneeshaw • [email protected]
Eutrophication, is one of the key environmental issues facing Australian estuaries. Recent population
trends towards counterurbanisation have led to increased and changing pressures upon a greater
number of estuaries. Coastal lagoons were the focus of this study due to their high susceptibility to
catchment nutrient inputs. Measures of primary productivity (PP) allow greater understanding of the
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dominant factors driving NSW coastal lagoons. From May 2001 to April 2003, near-monthly
measurements of PP rates and associated variables were determined in four NSW coastal lagoons
which vary in catchment disturbance from highly disturbed to relatively pristine. PP rates reflected the
degree and type of catchment development, and ranged from 123 (near-pristine lagoon) to 367 gCm-2y-1
(most modified catchment). Based on modelled catchment loads (NSW DECC 2004), nutrient inputs
contributed on average only 7% of required N and 10% of required P to support the estimates of annual
PP in the four coastal lagoons. Despite low catchment inputs, relative to phytoplankton demand,
coastal lagoons sustain high PP rates, presumably due to internal nutrient cycling. Nutrient availability
was the most important factor determining the level of biomass and PP the coastal lagoons were able to
sustain. Understanding the eutrophic status of coastal lagoons and estuaries in Australia has been
limited by a lack of long-term phytoplankton production data. This study allowed the development of a
PP model, which could be used to predict PP using the easily measured surrogate, Chl a, and thus
facilitate the use of many long-term Chl a data sets.
WATER WAVE SCATTERING BY FLOATING ELASTIC PLATES WITH APPLICATION TO SEA ICE
Alison Kohout • [email protected]
Mike Meylan
Sea-ice plays an important role in the world's climatic system. It is therefore important to understand
the processes that influence the extent of sea-ice. Ocean waves play a major role in the fracturing of icecovered seas. The analysis of this phenomena involves many complicated variables and considerable
idealisation is required. One aspect, which is critical to understand, is the decay of wave energy
through the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ). The MIZ is an interfacial region, which forms at the boundary of
open and frozen oceans. It consists of a vast field of ice floes and is subject to considerable wave action
due to its proximity to the open ocean. A set of successful experiments, carried out by the Scott Polar
Research Institute, suggest that wave energy decays exponentially with distance of propagation into a
MIZ and that this rate of decay is highly dependent on the wave period. To simulate an idealised MIZ,
we derive a two dimensional solution for multiple floating plates. Our solution is based on wave scatter
and the elastic bending of floes and does not allow for any other physics such as viscosity and floe
collisions. Using our solution, we find a model for the decaying attenuation coefficients in terms of
period and thickness. The model results are compared against a series of field experiments carried out
in the Arctic and off the West Antarctic Peninsula. Generally, the decay rates of the model agree well
with the field experiments in diffuse ice.
NOT ALL SPINES ARE EQUAL: VARIABLE GROWTH INCREMENT COUNTS AMONG FIN SPINES OF
STRIPED MARLIN, TETRAPTURUS AUDAX FROM THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN
Richard Kopf • [email protected]
Peter Davie
Striped marlin, Tetrapturus audax are an important ecological, commercial, and recreational fishing
resource in temperate and tropical oceanic waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Reliable biological
information is required for stock assessment of the species but previous age and growth estimates have
not been validated. This presentation describes preliminary work on evaluating the utility of dorsal and
anal fin spines to estimate, presumed, age of striped marlin. Growth increment counts from different
fin spines and levels along spines of individual fish varied significantly and were negatively correlated
85
to the amount of bone remodelling present. These results suggested that variation between previous
age and growth estimates may be attributed to methodological differences between researchers rather
than genuine biological differences between populations. Care should be taken in future fin spine aging
studies of striped marlin and other ray-finned fishes to ensure consistency in spine selection and section
level.
CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL OF MARINE LIPASES
Ivan Kurtovic • [email protected]
Susan Marshall
Xin Zhao
Benjamin Simpson
Fish are a potential source of lipases, with the digestive organs of these animals being an abundant and
underutilized by-product of fish processing. Because of the environment in which different fish live (eg:
at low temperatures) and in response to their diets, the enzymes from some fish appear to have adapted
to have higher catalytic efficiencies at lower temperatures than either their microbial or mammalian
counterparts. There is potential to exploit the activity of the fish enzymes to reduce energy costs in
industrial processes, to purify specific fatty acids, to deliver structured lipids for nutraceutical use, and
to produce particular flavours in food products. Despite their potential, fish lipases present challenges
for extraction and use that have so far resisted commercial exploitation. Their high activity at relatively
low temperatures appears to be coupled with a conformational instability that makes extraction and
stabilisation very difficult. Our research aims to investigate the activity of lipases from two commercial
fish species in New Zealand and to overcome the stability issues to allow the novel activities of these
enzymes to be exploited.
HUMAN IMPACTS ON MARINE BIODIVERSITY: USING LATITUDINAL SCALE DATA SETS AND
QUALITATIVE MODELS TO DESIGN MONITORING PROGRAMS
Timothy Langlois • [email protected]
Ben Radford
Using existing data and novel information from a multidisciplinary project along the south-west coast
of Australia we are creating qualitative models to predict changes in marine communities. These
models will allow us to investigate different levels of various impacts including fishing, land runoff
and a warming marine climate. The predictions will be used to design adaptive monitoring programs
for benthic, finfish and invertebrate communities. We will present initial models of benthic and finfish
communities constructed from data from eight Western Australian locations from the sub-tropical
north to the cool temperate waters at the border with South Australia. At each of these locations hydro
acoustic data and towed video were used to generate habitat maps, which have in turn been used to
stratify sampling of the benthos and finfish communities. To characterise the fish communities we have
used stereo-baited remote underwater video systems (sBRUVS) which have allowed us to sample in a
range of depths 10-100 m. By using qualitative models we hope to investigate interactive effects of
different influences for which there is no common currency, such as fishing and a warming marine
climate. Model predictions will be used to generate testable hypotheses of ecosystem response to
perturbation, helping to focus subsequent monitoring and research on particular interactions that are
likely to be most important for ecosystem function.
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COLD SEEPS AS METHANE SOURCES IN COOK STRAIT, NEW ZEALAND: EFFECTS OF LATERAL AND
VERTICAL PROCESSES ON REGIONAL METHANE BUDGETS
Cliff Law • [email protected]
Scott Nodder • [email protected]
Els Maas
J. Mountjoy
A. Marriner
Alan Orpin
P. Barnes
Uncertainty in the global marine methane (CH4) budget is exacerbated by under-sampling in the
Southwest Pacific Ocean. Recent exploratory work at the southern end of the convergent Hikurangi
subduction margin has identified high concentrations of methane in oceanic waters of the Cook Strait,
with elevated concentrations in surface and deep waters. In order to identify the source(s) of surface
water methane in Cook Strait, surveys of methane distributions were made across the region, targeting
riverine and upwelling sources, with a local cold seep site, the Wairarapa Seep in southeastern Cook
Strait, studied over several voyages as a focal point for process studies. Measurements included
methane distribution, 13C-methane and particulate isotopes in the water column, and characterisation of
the microbial methanotroph community. Gas bubble plume heights at the Wairarapa Seep site at 1050
m water depth rarely exceed 350m, and lateral currents and stratification prevented methane from the
seep reaching the sea surface directly at the site. In addition, the depleted 13C-CH4 at the surface in
Cook Strait, was primarily associated with low salinity, suggesting a terrestrial or shallow sediment
origin. These different methane sources are presented in the context of a new marine methane budget
for New Zealand waters.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF SUB-CUTICULAR BACTERIA IN NEW ZEALAND ECHINODERMS
Scott Lawrence • [email protected]
Simon Davy
Ronan O'Toole
The majority of echinoderms, both in New Zealand and worldwide, contain symbiotic bacteria directly
beneath their outer cuticle. Despite awareness of the existence of these sub-cuticular bacteria (SCB) for
thirty years, little is known regarding their identity or function. We have used molecular techniques to
identify SCB in Patiriella sp., Stichopus mollis and Astrostole scabra. Preliminary investigations have also
been carried out on four deep-water echinoderm species. Sequencing of the 16s ribosomal RNA gene
has led to the detection of alpha- and gamma-proteobacteria within the sub-cuticular space of several
species. These bacteria are related to the SCB of a Northern Hemisphere brittlestar and the bacterial
symbionts of other marine invertebrates, and are distinct from both echinoderm surface-associated
bacteria and those within the surrounding seawater. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is
currently being carried out to confirm the location and identity of SCB in the three species mentioned
above. FISH probes ranging in specificity from domain to species are being used to verify sequencing
results and determine what proportion of the SCB community is made up of the bacteria identified so
far.
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COMBINED APPLICATION OF ∆13C ENRICHMENT AND ECOLOGICAL MODELING TECHNIQUES IN
ASSESSING IMPACTS OF URBANISATION ON ESTUARINE SANDFLAT TROPHODYNAMICS
Ka-man Lee • [email protected]
S.Y. Lee
Rod Connolly
Ecological studies on the impacts of urbanisation have mainly focused on vegetated intertidal systems
but few studies have been conducted on sand- or mudflats, which are often the most extensive
intertidal habitats. A combination of stable isotope (13C) enrichment, compartment modelling and
ecological network analysis were used to elucidate the trophic relationships between
microphytobenthos, three dominant meiofaunal taxa (Capitella sp., harpacticoid copepod and
nematodes) and soldier crab (Mictyris longicarpus), and to assess the resilience of sandflats to
urbanisation. Compartment modeling software, WinSAAM, was used to quantify the energy flow in
sandflat through comparison of producer and consumer 13C enrichments over time. Results showed
that Capitella sp. and nematodes were the major sources of carbon for M. longicarpus. This was
confirmed by the gut content analysis of M. longicarpus in which nematodes and Capitella sp.
contributed respectively, 40 ± 3% and 8 ± 1 % to the crab's diet. A simulation model created by EcoNet
showed that a 10 fold increase in MPB biomass could result in significant increase (20%) in the
proportion of the energy cycled in the sandflat trophic web and in the biomass of the consumers (87%).
This study demonstrates that: (1) EcoNet is useful for analysis of even very small scale food webs, and
(2) ecological network analysis is an efficient tool for testing modelled scenarios of urbanisation
impacts.
HOW MAF BIOSECURITY NEW ZEALAND RESPONDS: A CASE STUDY ON THE RECENT INCURSION OF
THE SOUTH AFRICAN BROWN MUSSEL, PERNA PERNA, IN TASMAN BAY
Abigale Loughnan • [email protected]
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is the lead agency charged with the protection of New
Zealand's indigenous fauna and flora from invasive species. Biosecurity is the exclusion, eradication or
effective management of risks posed by pests and diseases to the environment, economy, social values
and human health. In the marine environment, the best strategy is preventing exotic species from being
introduced or to reduce the risk of introduction, however, a level of incursion risk must be accepted in
order for New Zealand to trade with the rest of the world. Consequently it is inevitable that exotic
species will arrive in our waters. When an exotic species is detected in our waters we need to respond
in an effective, efficient and transparent manner. The way MAFBNZ responds to new incursions is
described, with reference to the recent incursion of Perna perna in Tasman Bay, including discussion of
the decision making processes and the science behind the eradication attempt.
LARVAL DISPERSAL: CAN WE GENERALISE TRANSPORT PATTERNS WITHIN DIFFERENT
OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS?
Carolyn Lundquist • [email protected]
Understanding connectivity between marine populations is necessary for the management of marine
ecosystems and resources, for predicting recovery from disturbance, and for the implementation of
restoration projects. Here, we focus on one aspect of connectivity, planktonic larval dispersal, which is
governed by both spatial and temporal variation in hydrodynamic processes, and by biological
processes such as larval behaviour and larval life history. We use examples from field and modelling
studies in New Zealand to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the influence of
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hydrodynamics on larval transport within estuarine, coastal and oceanic ecosystems. We show
similarities in patterns of larval transport across particular hydrodynamic scenarios in marine systems
both in New Zealand, and globally. Our conceptual models indicates that primary drivers of larval
dynamics include spatial and temporal variation of large scale circulation features (e.g., eddies, gyres),
interactions with topography and bathymetry, and daily to weekly variation in wind strength driving
local hydrodynamic features. Ideally, this conceptual framework will inform marine management
through its predictions of larval transport without the need for costly, time-intensive and site-specific
modelling and field studies.
MAJOR GAPS IN NEW ZEALAND’S MARINE BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION; HOW DO WE PLUG THEM?
Alison MacDiarmid • [email protected]
Jennifer Beaumont
New Zealanders are being confronted by some big issues that affect our marine ecosystems. What are
the magnitude, location and timing of the effects of exploitation, sedimentation, pollution,
eutrophication, invasive species and climate change? Where should we place our marine reserves in
order to maximise protection but minimise impacts on other users of the marine environment? Where
would precious resources be best placed to respond to outbreaks of invasive species or a pollution
event? To address these sorts of questions we need data and information about our marine ecosystem
at a national scale, and to be able to easily access those data. How good is our national coverage of
marine ecosystem data and how easy is it to access? A recent project with Biosecurity New Zealand
(MAF) gave insight into both issues with regard to marine biodiversity. National data are available
only a few key taxa and overall coverage is patchy especially on the west coasts of both main islands
and with some areas having no records of any taxa. The situation is worse for individual taxa. It is
highly likely that the data bases consulted do not contain all the available information because at
present we (the marine sciences community) have no agreed way to store and share data. This situation
needs to be urgently addressed by us. Some possible solutions are discussed.
SEASONAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH OF TROPICAL
SHIPWORMS (BIVALVIA: TEREDINIDAE)
Hugh Macintosh • [email protected]
Shipworms are a group of highly derived bivalve molluscs characterized by a complete reliance on
submerged woody plant tissue for food and living space. Given the scarcity of wood as a marine
substrate, but the variation in characteristics between wood types, shipworms serve as a useful model
for larval settlement and host selection amongst other benthic invertebrates. The distributions,
abundances and growth of tropical shipworms were quantified through the use of wood settlement
panels. These were collected from offshore and inshore sites over the course of a year at set monthly
intervals. Understanding the temporal and spatial variation in the recruitment and fecundity of tropical
shipworms is an important background to explore larval settlement behaviour and substrate selectivity.
Most shipworm species examined displayed a year-round breeding season, with some variation in
settlement due to summer rainfall. Most species grew rapidly and became reproductive within 2
months of settlement, suggesting the scarcity of potential habitats drives the reproductive output of
shipworms. Given the paucity of recent literature on this economically important taxa, baseline studies
such as this are an important stepping stone to research focusing on larval biology and chemical
ecology of tropical shipworms.
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FISH RESPONSES TO SEAGRASS FRAGMENTATION
Peter Macreadie • [email protected]
Jeremy Hindell
Gregory Jenkins
Rod Connolly
Griffith University
Michael Keough
Marine organisms that inhabit coastal waters increasingly have to deal with habitat fragmentation and
concomitant increases in edge habitat. Effective conservation of coastal habitats requires an
understanding of how and why organisms respond to these habitat changes. Seagrass is a critical
marine habitat that is becoming increasingly fragmented. In a series of experiments, we investigate how
fish living in seagrass respond to fragmentation and determine the mechanism underlying those
responses. After fragmenting seagrass habitat, we found that total fish abundance remained constant
through time. Crowding of fish into remaining habitat contributed partly to this phenomenon, but the
longer term persistence of fish was explained by an affinity of fish for seagrass edges. Therefore, the
loss of seagrass area resulting from fragmentation was offset by positive edge effects and an increase in
edge habitat. We then measured food supply to seagrass patches, in the form of plankton, to test the
hypothesis that fish prefer seagrass edges because of greater food availability. Overall plankton
abundance was significantly higher at patch edges than interiors. This pattern was predicted by a
resource distribution model where seagrass limits the flow of plankton into seagrass patches, creating a
distinction between edge and interior zones and positive edge effects on fish. To separate causality
from correlation, we then supplemented seagrass patch interiors with live food and found that the edge
effect on fish abundance was no longer apparent. We therefore attribute food supply as the mechanism
driving positive edge effects in this study.
BLUENET – INTEGRATING UNIVERSITY MARINE DATA INTO THE AODN: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES,
ISSUES
Regina Magierowski • [email protected]
The Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN) offers a single, standards-based, distributed and
federated marine science data network, including data archival and delivery of marine science data
from a wide range of funding schemes. BlueNet is a DIISR funded project assisting Australian
universities to link to the AODN. BlueNet has been supporting marine data archival, protection,
discovery and sharing through the delivery of AODN infrastructure (including software and policy
development), facilitation of cultural change, training, metadata creation (and quality control) and data
bundling. A report on BlueNet activities to date will be presented. This will include approaches,
exploration and solutions to IP (Intellectual Property) policies, archiving, data deposition and
versioning, data usage logging, data discovery and access, and data products and visualisation. The
development of the MEST [Metadata Entry and Search Tool], integration and adoption of standards,
and building for interoperability between data archives will also be addressed.
RESEARCH FOR GROWTH
Mike Mandeno • [email protected]
The New Zealand Aquaculture Sector has prepared and released the New Zealand Aquaculture
Strategy (NZAS), a ten point plan for sustainable growth. The NZAS sets a clear imperative for research
and market development to drive a step change in the sector’s growth. There is a clear opportunity for
market informed research to drive growth in the aquaculture sector as it has in many other New
90
Zealand primary sectors. To that end AQNZ has developed a research strategy which sets out the way
in which research, informed where appropriate by market drivers, can contribute to transformational
growth of the aquaculture sector.
THE EFFECTS OF NUISANCE MACROALGAE ON ESTUARINE BENTHOS
Islay Marsden • [email protected]
Nuisance macroalgae, Ulva spp. and Gracilaria sp. occur commonly in shallow estuaries throughout the
world, where they have positive and negative effects on the benthos. We have used field and laboratory
studies to investigate how macroalgal blooms affect the benthos, including shellfish Austrovenus
stutchburyi in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch. Measurements were made on sea lettuce
abundance and field experiments used to determine the effects of sea lettuce density on the
macrobenthos. Cockles collected from an area subjected to regular sea lettuce blooms show
physiological responses to declining oxygen availability. These studies suggest that low abundances of
sea lettuce does not affect the survival or condition of cockles. However, oxygen uptake is reduced in
conditions of declining oxygen availability and individuals move upwards to the sediment surface.
Here they can be dislodged by the tide and eaten by predators. Macroalgal blooms can therefore have
negative effects on benthos in particular cockle populations in estuarine areas.
LINKING MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH EGG QUALITY IN A BATCH SPAWNING TELEOST
Jenna Martin • [email protected]
Maternal characteristics, such as age and length, may have profound effects on the quality of eggs being
produced within a population. Egg quality may be considered the ability of the egg to produce a viable
larva. Studies have looked at different morphological and biochemical parameters, which can be used
to determine the quality of the eggs at the early stages of development. Variability in the quality of eggs
can affect recruitment in wild populations, in that the few eggs spawned don't produce strong larvae,
which can survive this vulnerable life stage. Snapper Pagrus auratus is a commercially and
recreationally exploited species in New Zealand, and has potential as an aquaculture species. The
overall aim of this research is to investigate how maternal characteristics of P. auratus influence the
quality of the eggs produced over the spawning season. Three captive snapper broodstocks have been
established at the Leigh Marine Laboratory. These broodstocks contain females of particular size
ranges, such that the mean sizes differ significantly in all three. Morphological, biochemical parameters
and hatching success have been measured over the 2007/08 spawning season and will be investigated to
see if differences in observed egg quality can be related to differences in female size. The significance of
the proposed research is two fold. Firstly, it could have implications for management of this fishery in
terms of the minimum legal size for capture. Secondly, it will provide information on what size range
could be economically optimal for a productive broodstock.
AREA AND STRUCTURE OF HABITAT AFFECT DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION OF BENTHIC
ASSEMBLAGES
Miguel Matias • [email protected]
Antony Underwood
Ross Coleman
D. Hochuli
Understanding and predicting patterns of abundance and distribution of organisms requires
understanding of where organisms live and why. The influences of habitat in on abundances of animals
appear to be understood, but this is actually not so. One basic problem is that comparisons between
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structurally complex habitats are often confounded by concurrent differences in area (i.e. different
numbers of structural components) and type (i.e. different structural complexity). Experiments were
done to investigate the effects of type and amount of structure on assemblages of gastropods.
Experimental patches were designed to have different area and different types of components.
Sampling after 8 weeks showed that patches were rapidly colonized by 105 species of gastropods.
Independently of type of components, there was a clear increase in numbers of species with an increase
in area. Furthermore, there were significant differences in numbers of species in patches with different
types of components. Multivariate comparisons between assemblages colonizing different patches of
habitat showed a significant effect of area. Results provide additional evidence to re-iterate the
importance of understanding different attributes of habitat to be able to unravel processes influencing
patterns of diversity and distribution of benthic assemblages.
DISENTANGLING THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT MACROALGAL STRUCTURES IN THE DISTRIBUTION AND
DIVERSITY OF REEF ASSOCIATED FISHES
Alejandro Perez Matus • [email protected]
Russell Cole
Malcolm Francis
Jeff Shima
An important challenge in ecology is to understand how environmental heterogeneity influences
species' distributions and community composition. Habitat heterogeneity, for instance, is an important
factor that may predict the relationship between organisms and their environment. However, habitat
heterogeneity incorporates several levels of complexity that may act additively or independently in
exerting patterns of distribution and abundance of species and communities. Thus, when
experimenting with heterogeneity in natural habitats, researchers must overcome these complementary
effects. At two sites on the Wellington coast (exposed and protected) and in a fully hierarchical design
we manipulated several components of natural reef structures such as macroalgae, macroalgal
densities, and combinations of canopies, in order to answer the following: are there species-specific
effects of algal species that may have a disproportionate effect on the abundance and distribution of
fishes? Furthermore, are the potentially non-random distribution and abundance of fishes explained by
biomass, density, and/or a combination of these factors? To date our results indicate that (a) regardless
of the habitat type, areas protected and exposed from wave action have different fish diversities, (b)
different types of canopies affect the distribution and abundance of fishes in an interactive fashion with
their biomass, and (c) certain habitat identities may predict abundances of reef fishes. Our study aims
to explore the relationship between macroalgae and fish species composition for temperate reef
ecosystem.
APPLICATION OF LIGHT STIMULI TO REDUCE BYCATCH IN PRAWN TRAWL FISHERIES
David Maynard • [email protected]
The contribution of tropical shrimp trawl fisheries to global annual discards is quite significant.
Extensive research in the design of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) aimed at reducing the bycatch of
small finfish has been of limited success. Typically, BRDs in shrimp trawl fisheries are located in the
codend. This posterior positioning of the BRDs requires fish to interact with the fishing gear, and be
susceptible to injury and stress before and during escape. It is ‘guestimated’ in the literature that post
escape mortality rates are significant. In the design of BRDs little attention has been given to triggering
an early fish avoidance reaction of trawl gear. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method that
stimulates an avoidance reaction at the front, or ahead of, the trawl net. In this case, underwater lights
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were used in night trawling to trigger a negative phototactic response in small fish, inturn reducing the
number of fish entering the mouth of the trawl. A pilot study showed encouraging results with 30%
reduction in small fish, rays and cephalopods, and an increased prawn catch of 32%. An extended
study is currently being undertaken to validate the results from pilot study. Two benefits may lie with
the use of lights on trawls - reduced bycatch and associated post escape mortality, and increases in
efficiency for fishers.
BIODIVERSITY SURROGACY ON THE LORD HOWE SHELF
Matthew McArthur • [email protected]
Brendan Brooke
Studying benthic ecology at depths beyond the range of SCUBA equipment has been compared to
characterising rainforests from a hot air balloon with a butterfly net on a rope. Submersibles and
remotely operated vehicles have allowed some benthic researchers to adopt a landscape approach but
the expenses associated with this equipment has limited its application. Multibeam sonar makes it
possible to map benthic systems on a large scale before designing a sampling strategy, increasing the
capacity to account for substrate heterogeneity. Members of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub at
Geoscience Australia recently joined a survey cruise to the Lord Howe shelf system off the New South
Wales coast. An EM300 swath sonar was used to generate a relief model (4 m2 grid, ~10 cm vertical
resolution) of the shelf. Acoustic sub-bottom profiler data were collected over the same tracks to
capture seabed topography and highlight recent sedimentary deposits. These datasets identified at least
four types of spatially extensive benthic habitats from which sampling stations were selected for grabs,
sleds and towed video transects. The resulting samples and video are being used to test how well the
sonar-derived information accounts for the benthic biodiversity of the Lord Howe shelf. This is the first
step in a programme of abiotic surrogacy testing, itself part of a broad multi-institute project aiming to
characterise the biodiversity of Australia’s extensive marine benthic territory.
DIEL VARIATION IN HABITAT USE AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE MOURNING CUTTLEFISH, SEPIA
PLANGON, IN SYDNEY HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA
Candace McBride • [email protected]
Jane Williamson
Mark Norman
Diel variation in behaviour is a commonly observed phenomenon amongst marine organisms.
Behavioural changes may be influenced by variation in light intensity, prey availability and presence of
predators. Light-induced behavioural differences may be an important factor in determining the
ecology of cuttlefish. The mourning cuttlefish, Sepia plangon, is endemic to Australian waters, with a
distribution from Port Jackson in Sydney Harbour to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory,
Australia. Large abundances of this species commonly occur in bays around Sydney Harbour,
suggesting that this species makes an important contribution to the functioning of marine ecosystems
within the Harbour. This in situ study is amongst the first of its kind investigating the diel variation in
behaviour of S. plangon. Cuttlefish were observed on SCUBA within Chowder Bay, Sydney Harbour,
over three separate occasions throughout a 24-hour period during summer and was repeated in the
following winter. Cuttlefish were observed along a 3000m2 transect every three hours over a 24-hour
period. Behaviour of cuttlefish was allotted into seven behavioural categories, and size, sex, habitat use,
depth and grouping were also recorded. A Watson's U2 test for uniformity depicted a significant diel
variation in the two main behaviour categories, resting and hovering, over a 24-hour period during
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summer. Resting behaviour was predominant at night, with hovering occurring predominantly
throughout the day. Grouping of cuttlefish was less prevalent during the night than during daylight
hours. These observations suggest that there is diel variation in behaviour of S. plangon occurring at this
site during summer. This study is the first to show diel variation in behaviour, depicted by direct
observation, of a predominant coastal cuttlefish species.
THE APPARENT DEATH OF MUSCULISTA SENHOUSIA IN THE SWAN RIVER REGION; OR ACTS OF GOD
AS AN ERADICATION TOOL
Justin McDonald • [email protected]
Fred Wells
Michael Travers
In 1983 specimens of the Asian bag mussel, Musculista senhousia were collected at Chidley Point in the
Swan River estuary. Further sampling revealed that it was as far upstream as the Canning Bridge and
Perth Waters. Studies in the late 1980s and 1990s determined that this species had populations scattered
throughout
Swan
River
and
out
in
to
Cockburn
Sound.
Musculista senhousia, is a small thin-shelled mytilid that lives in intertidal and shallow subtidal soft
sediments. This species is regarded as a 'medium priority species' with a reasonably high impact/or
invasion potential. Musculista constructs a nest or cacoon by binding sediment with its byssal threads.
Where the mussel lives in high densities these threads can become a byssal mat with densities of over
2500 individuals per m2. These mats may smother the sediment surface dominating the benthic
communities and potentially excluding native species. In the summer of 2000 Perth experienced its
largest recorded rainfall event. Cyclone Steve deposited over 12,000 gigalitres (GL) of water on the
Avon River catchment, an area the size of Tasmania. This resulted in over 270 GL entering the estuary.
This rainfall event led to a freshwater lens over much of the river system and a subsequent toxic algal
bloom. Recent surveys to find specimens of M. senhousia for DNA analysis have not recorded any
individuals. We suggest that the apparent death of M. senhousia from this region may be attributable to
this rainfall event linked, with high water temperatures and a resulting toxic algal bloom.
INVASIVE SPECIES PLUS POLLUTION: RECIPE FOR A SUPER INVASIVE?
Louise McKenzie • [email protected]
Emma Johnston
Robert Brooks
Marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic stressors such as non-indigenous
species and pollution. Initial evidence suggests that non-indigenous species may gain an ecological
advantage in metal-polluted environments. Such an advantage depends on the evolutionary potential
of these species to adapt to anthropogenic stressors. Using a laboratory based toxicity assay, we
investigated the tolerance of the non-indigenous bryozoan Watersipora subtorquata to copper from
different source populations. Individual colonies were collected from four sites within Port Hacking,
(Sydney, Australia) and their offspring exposed to a range of copper concentrations. Settlement and
complete metamorphosis (recruitment) were measured as ecologically relevant endpoints. Larval sizes
were also measured for each colony. Successful recruitment was significantly reduced by the highest
copper concentration of 80 µg l-1. While there was no difference in pollution tolerance between sites,
there was large variation in the response of colony offspring within sites. Larval size differed
significantly both between sites and colonies and was positively correlated with tolerance. The high
level of variation in copper tolerance between colonies suggests that there is considerable potential
94
within populations to adapt to elevated copper levels. Also, colonies that produce large larvae are more
tolerant to copper suggesting that tolerance may either be a direct consequence of larger size or a
pleiotropic consequence of genes that lead to larger larvae.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OF PERNA CANALICULUS AND THEIR HABITAT VALUE FOR OTHER
SPECIES IN COASTAL SOFT SEDIMENT SYSTEMS
Ian McLeod • [email protected]
There were extensive beds of green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) in the subtidal inner Hauraki
Gulf and the Firth of Thames. These supported a dredge fishery from the 1920s to 1960s. These
populations were virtually wiped out and have not since recovered. Areas where mussels were
historically abundant are now dominated by 'bare' soft sediment systems, with relatively little threedimensional structure, such as biogenic habitats. These biogenic habitats are thought to play a range of
important ecological roles, including mediating water quality through filtering-feeding, providing
nursery habitats for invertebrates and small fishes, and elevating general biodiversity and secondary
productivity. However, little is known about the ecological roles of soft sediment mussel beds in New
Zealand. From December 2007, we used side scan sonar and underwater video transects in the Hauraki
Gulf to search for remnant mussel beds. A few remnant beds were found and new mussel beds were
located under and around mussel farms. These beds were sampled for secondary productivity and
species assemblage using quadrants and sediment cores. Diver-deployed nets were used to sample
small fish (< 50 mm). Preliminary results suggest that the mussel beds have higher secondary
productivity, greater invertebrate species diversity, and a greater abundance and diversity of small fish
than the surrounding soft sediment systems. Future research will focus on the value of the mussel beds
as habitat for larger fish and the role they play in mediating water quality through filter feeding.
DO TERRESTRIAL FORESTS SUPPORT MARINE SECONDARY PRODUCTION AND INFLUENCE MARINE
DIVERSITY?
Rebecca McLeod • [email protected]
Stephen Wing
Jennifer Skilton
In Fiordland, New Zealand, strong linkages between terrestrial forests and the fjord marine
communities are becoming apparent. Large inputs of forest litter result in highly organic sediments,
and microbial colonisation of this organic matter drives methanogenesis and excess production of
hydrogen sulphide. Subsequent oxidation of sulphide via chemosynthesis by both free-living and
endosymbiotic bacteria offers a potentially strong pathway for flux of terrestrial carbon into the fjord
marine communities. This chemosynthetically-fixed carbon has been demonstrated to account for 3851% of carbon assimilated by hagfish. The objective of the current study was to determine the
nutritional importance of chemosynthetically-fixed carbon to the infaunal communities of Fiordland.
Samples of the infaunal community were collected at sites along transects extending from river mouth
(< 50 m depth) to deep basin (> 400 m depth) habitats, in order to test the hypothesis that the relative
importance of terrestrial and marine sources of organic matter will vary along this depth gradient.
Analyses of community composition, tagged to species-specific values of δ15N and δ13C, allowed the
abundance of chemoautotrophic symbionts to be determined, and infaunal food webs to be
reconstructed. Analysis of fatty acid biomarkers allowed specific bacterial pathways to be elucidated.
The importance of terrestrial production to marine communities in Fiordland suggests that marine
ecosystem function in coastal areas can be influenced by the condition of neighbouring catchments.
95
HOOKED? SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE COASTAL FISHERIES IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Jan-Olaf Meynecke • [email protected]
Joe Lee
Norm Duke
Estuaries are widely recognised as key habitats supporting nearshore secondary production and catch
of commercial fisheries, but not all estuarine habitats contribute equally as nurseries. Through a series
of analyses of long-term fish catch data and their relationship with estuarine habitat characteristics
along the Queensland coast, we have identified the most important potential drivers of fish catch, thus
significantly enhanced our understanding of the functioning of these important systems. A landscape
approach identified the major environmental variables influencing observed spatial patterns in fish and
prawn catches for Queensland, Australia. The outcomes of this study supported the notion that
heterogeneity and connectivity of habitats at a large scale play a key role in determining the spatial
distribution and abundance of fish species. In addition to the configuration of habitats, elements of
climate have been shown to significantly influence fish catch. We found that rainfall and temperature
were significantly related to a number of estuarine fish catch but this relationship varied across
geographical regions. The investigation contributed to the broader knowledge of how coastal habitats
and climate influence fisheries catch and productivity, with important implications for fisheries
management. Marine protected areas should be placed in coastal wetlands with high structural
connectivity. Species-specific drivers of fish production such as increased maximum temperature or
reduced rainfall should be taken into account to identify a more comprehensive management policy
that will ensure sustainability in light of future environmental changes.
PROVIDING CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC ADVICE FOR MANAGING HUMAN IMPACTS ON MARINE
ECOSYSTEMS
David Middleton • [email protected]
New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone, fifteen times as large as its land mass, accords significant
responsibilities for managing human impacts on marine ecosystems. With around one marine scientist
per 10 000 km2 of ocean it is perhaps unsurprising that there is widespread acknowledgement that
understanding of ocean systems lags far behind that of land based ecosystems. Nevertheless,
government decisions about marine management are expected to be made on the basis of the best
possible information, and marine scientists clearly have a crucial role in providing good information.
The stated role of the NZMSS includes providing advice to government on marine policy issues. Recent
NZMSS submissions have addressed high profile conservation issues, including marine reserves,
Hector's dolphins and the Wellington Marine Education Centre. The often blurred distinction between
scientific policy advice and policy advocacy has taxed a number of scientific societies. This presentation
will discuss the need for policy-neutral information, and in particular ask whether NZMSS submissions
are rigorously distinguishing between providing accurate scientific information and advocating policy
preferences.
PARASITE FAUNA OF AN INTRODUCED BIVALVE, MUSCULISTA SENHOUSIA, FROM NATIVE AND
INVADED REGIONS
Aroha Miller • [email protected]
The Asian nesting mussel, Musculista senhousia, has been established in New Zealand since the 1970s,
but factors behind its successful establishment have not been investigated. The Enemy Release
Hypothesis (ERH) is commonly used to explain successful establishments of introduced species. Here,
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the parasite fauna, prevalence and intensity of multiple populations of M. senhousia from within New
Zealand, from other countries where it is introduced and from within its native range were
investigated. Five sites were sampled in New Zealand, and samples were received from the USA, Italy
and Japan. Results revealed samples from introduced areas were larger than samples from within the
native Japan; however none of these exceeded maximum shell length reported in the literature. Four
different macroparasites, at varying prevalence and intensity, were found associated with M. senhousia
in New Zealand. By contrast, no overseas samples harboured any parasites. Based on this data, the
ERH is not a key driving factor behind the successful establishment of M. senhousia in New Zealand.
3D TRACKING OF SPERM WHALES FROM A SMALL BOAT
Brian Miller • [email protected]
Steve Dawson
Kaikoura, New Zealand is one of a handful of places worldwide where sperm whales occur inshore
year round. This has facilitated studies of their abundance, behavior, bioacoustics, population structure,
and of the impacts of tourism. Beyond timing dive durations, diving behavior of sperm whales at
Kaikoura has remained largely a mystery due in part to extraordinary dive durations typical of sperm
whales. Passive acoustic technology and signal processing techniques can provide a ecologically
relevant window into this underwater world by taking advantage of the fact that sperm whales click
almost continuously while underwater. Here we present a passive sonar designed for localizing diving
sperm whales, and to be deployable use from a single small (6 m) boat. Clicks and echoes are recorded
using a free-floating array of hydrophones, and dive profiles are reconstructed using differences in
sound arrival time between different hydrophones. Preliminary results from deployment of the system
around sperm whales in the Kaikoura Canyon reveal that whales make use of the entire water column
when foraging. More than twenty 3D dive profiles have been quantified revealing foraging depths
ranging from the ocean surface to the ocean floor at depths greater than 1 km. In addition to providing
an unobtrusive and relatively inexpensive way to monitor whales' underwater behaviour the system
could also be used to monitor changes in whales' behaviour due to acute anthropogenic factors.
Continued use of this system will further our understanding of the role these animals play local and
global ecosystems.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND GENE FLOW IN COLLAPSED AND HEALTHY ABALONE FISHERIES
Karen Miller • [email protected]
Craig Mundy
Ben Maynard
Exploitation of marine species invariably results in population decline, but can also have indirect effects
on ecological processes such as larval dispersal and recruitment that ultimately affect genetic diversity
and population resilience. We compared microsatellite DNA variation among depleted and healthy
populations of the black-lip abalone Haliotis rubra from Tasmania, Australia, to determine if overfishing had affected genetic diversity. We also used genetic data to assess if variation in the scale and
frequency of larval dispersal was linked to greater population decline in some regions than in others,
and if larval dispersal was sufficient to facilitate natural recovery of depleted populations. Surprisingly,
allelic diversity was higher in depleted populations than in healthy populations (p < 0.05). Significant
subdivision across hundreds of metres among our sampling sites (FST = 0.026, p < 0.01), coupled with
assignment tests, indicated that larval dispersal is restricted in all regions studied, and that abalone
populations across Tasmania are largely self-recruiting. Low levels of larval exchange appear to occur
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at the meso-scale (7-20 km), but age estimates based on shell size indicate that successful migration of
larvae between sites may happen only once every few years. We suggest that genetic diversity may be
higher in depleted populations due to the higher relative ratio of migrant to self-recruiting larvae. In
addition, we expect that recovery of depleted abalone populations will be reliant on sources of larvae at
the meso-scale (10s of km), but that natural recovery is only likely to occur on a time-scale unacceptable
to fishers and resource managers.
EXPLOITING THE ENDOGENOUS OMEGA 3 BIOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY OF FISH
Matt Miller • [email protected]
Fish have an endogenous capacity via fatty acid desaturase and elongase enzymes to biosynthesise
omega 3 long chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) from precursors. Understanding and
utilising biosynthetic capabilities of fish further along the omega-3 pathway may provide renewable
and sustainable options from specialised vegetable oils for future aquafeeds. Plants such as Patterson’s
curse (Echium plantagineum L.) have a δ6 desaturase gene which produces the n-3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic
precursor stearidonic acid (18:4n-3, SDA). The δ6 desaturation gene is the limiting step in the
biosynthetic pathway of n-3 LC-PUFA. Dietary SDA bypasses the initial rate-limiting δ6 desaturase step
in the n-3 LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathway and potentially enables greater biosynthesis of n-3 LC-PUFA.
We demonstrated that Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have a different endogenous capacity to synthesise
omega 3 biosynthesis different life stage. Atlantic salmon smolt fed SDA demonstrated an up-regulated
expression of genes involved in FA synthesis, which affected the concentration of the direct
biosynthetic product (eicosatetraenoic acid, ETA, 20:4 n-3) in all tissues. However, the increased gene
expression due to SDA rich diets is not enough to maintain concentrations of n-3 LC-PUFA in seawater
Atlantic salmon fed SDA at equivalent levels to that of fish fed with fish oil.
MARINE MICROORGANISMS IN AQUACULTURE (IN REGARDS TO OMEGA - 3 FATTY ACIDS)
Matt Miller • [email protected]
Single-cell oils provide a novel and renewable source of omega 3 long chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated
acids (n-3 LC-PUFA), in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid
(22:6n-3, DHA). Single cell organisms, including thraustochytrids, diatoms, other microalgae and some
marine bacteria are the n-3 LC-PUFA biofactories of the ocean. Thraustochytrids are heterotrophic
protists, commonly found in marine and other saline environments; they can be detritivores,
bacterivores and/or parasites. Thraustochytrids can produce a number of n-3 LC-PUFAs, especially
DHA. Thraustochytrids show potential as a source of oil for aquaculture. Large-scale culture of
thraustochytrids may be suitable for commercial aquafeeds as they produce a relatively high biomass
and have high percentage of n-3 LC-PUFA rich lipid. Single-cell oils, such as oil from thraustochytrids,
provide a major renewable source of n-3 LC-PUFA for aquaculture. Thraustochytrid biomass (e.g.
product termed Algamac) is already being used commercially as feed for rotifers (Brachionus spp.) and
brine shrimp (Artemia) prior to feeding them to finfish. The replacement of fish oil with 100%
thraustochytrid oil in Atlantic salmon parr diets has been demonstrated, without any detriment to
growth, to significantly increase the concentrations of DHA in muscle tissue. These oil ‘bio-factories’ of
the ocean could potentially provide a source of n-3 LC-PUFA without any foreseeable negative impact
on wild fish stocks.
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STAYING CLOSE TO HOME: THE CONTRIBUTION OF LIFE-HISTORY CHARACTERISTICS TO GREATER
SIZE OF GOATFISH (MULLOIDICHTHYS FLAVOLINEATUS) WITHIN THE RA’UI OF RAROTONGA, COOK
ISLANDS
Sonja Miller • [email protected]
Jeff Shima
Nicole Phillips
A common assumption associated with marine protected areas (MPAs) is that fish and invertebrate size
will increase in MPAs when fishing stops. However, it has been suggested that MPAs may be more
effective for site-attached and sessile species. We assessed whether the mean size of a number of
common fish species within the Ra'ui (traditional marine managed areas) of Rarotonga was greater
than at Control sites. Of the 15 species selected for analysis, only one, the goatfish, Mulloidichthys
flavolineatus, exhibited greater mean size in Ra'ui relative to Control sites (W = 144738, p < 0.001).
Further, when we examined the effects of the six Ra'ui (Akapuao, Aroa, Aroko, Matavera, Parliament,
and Tikioki) separately on mean size for five of the most abundant fish species, we found mean size of
M. flavolineatus was greater across four of the Ra'ui sites (Aroa: W=153, p < 0.05; Matavera: W=5489, p <
0.001; Parliament: W = 1045, p < 0.018; Tikioki: W=17205, p < 0.001), while only one of the other fish
species, Siganus argenteus, had greater mean size in only one Ra'ui. We suggest our observations may in
part be due to the strong site fidelity and restricted home range of M. flavolineatus. Further, we suggest
where it is not possible to carry out a comprehensive survey of fish and invertebrate taxa to assess MPA
effects, the use of "indicator" or "representative" species such as goatfish, and harvested sessile
invertebrates, may be useful proxies.
OULACTIS MCMURRICHI - TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
Michela Mitchell • [email protected]
Daphne Fautin
Oulactis muscosa (Drayton in Dana, 1849) (Eastern Sand Anemone) and Oulactis mcmurrichi (Lager, 1911)
(Western Sand Anemone) may actually be the same species: they differ very little in appearance and
this has caused confusion when it comes to identification. Delimitation of the two species has been
mainly based on geographical distribution, O. mcmurrichi occurring to the west of Coffin Bay, South
Australia, and O. muscosa to the east. Oulactis mcmurrichi has not been recorded outside of Australia
while O. muscosa has been recorded in New Zealand. Syntypes of O. mcmurrichi are in poor condition
and no type material is known for O. muscosa. Preserved material from museums and freshly collected
material from Southern Australia were examined to determine whether O. mcmurrichi and O. muscosa
should be synonymised. Colour and patterning in O. muscosa differ from what is described in field
guides. The northern limit of distribution in Western Australia has been extended to Barrow Island. A
type of cnida, microbasic b-mastigophore, was found that has not previously been recorded for
Australian specimens of O. muscosa.
COMMERCIAL VS SELECTIVE BRED PACIFIC OYSTERS: GLYCOGEN USE AND REPRODUCTIVE
CONDITIONING
Natalie Moltschaniwskyj • [email protected]
Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania
James Burke
The aim of this project was to determine if the extent and timing of the conditioning process of Pacific
oysters selectively bred for fast growth significantly differed from standard commercial stock. This was
achieved by measuring condition and reproductive status of selectively bred and standard commercial
oysters over the critical conditioning period between late winter through to summer. There was no
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evidence to suggest that the faster growth of the selectively bred oysters affected their capacity to
accumulate glycogen, however, the rate the glycogen concentration declined was faster in selectively
bred stock. There was a change in the condition index of the oysters through time; selectively bred
oysters increased their condition from December to February, while standard stock declined in
condition. There was no evidence to suggest that the process of gametogenesis in selectively bred
oysters began earlier or was delayed relative to standard commercial oysters. Therefore it appeared that
there was no evidence to suggest that Pacific oysters selected for faster growth were compromised in
their capacity to accumulate glycogen stores as part of the conditioning process, furthermore, they did
not use these stores for gonad growth earlier in the reproductive season than standard commercial
oysters.
MARINE NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH IN NEW ZEALAND - SOME PAST DISCOVERIES AND
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Murray Munro • [email protected]
John Bunt
The history of marine natural products research in New Zealand dates back to the mid-1970s with
activities centered at the University of Auckland with Con Cambie and Patricia Bergquist working as a
chemistry/taxonomy unit, while at the University of Canterbury John Blunt and Murray Munro also
established a research grouping. This was a relatively early start in the marine natural products field
and was inspired by proximity to the Roche commercial involvement at Dee Wy under Joe Baker and
personal interactions with early leaders such as Ken Rinehart and John Faulkner. Additionally, in New
Zealand we had the added impetus of Pat Bergquist’s chemotaxonomic interest in sponge metabolites.
These two early New Zealand groups started a systematic examination of the marine algae and marine
invertebrates. The Blunt/Munro team is still operating, but now primarily focused on marine microbes
rather than invertebrates. From these beginnings a number of other University groups have spun off.
These are at Auckland (Brent Copp), Waikato (Michele Prinsep) and Victoria (Peter Northcote) Several
of the CRI’s are, or have been involved – NIWA (Vicky Webb and Mike Stewart), IRL (Simon Hinkley),
Crop & Food (Steve Lorimer and Nigel Perry). Some selected highlights from the past 30 years will be
presented, comments made on the scale and structural complexities and potential future developments
in the field reviewed.
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE BURROWING MUD CRAB HELICE CRASSA AND THE
MICROPHYTOBENTHOS IN INTERTIDAL HABITATS
Hazel Needham • [email protected]
Conrad Pilditch
University of Waikato
Andrew Lohrer
In marine systems, bioturbating fauna alter the physical and chemical processes occurring in sediments.
Species that construct tube-like burrows serve to irrigate sediments with oxic water, increasing the
depth to which oxidative processes occur, aiding organic matter remineralisation and influencing
nutrient exchange. The mud crab Helice crassa is an intertidal species found in many of New Zealand's
estuaries. It creates burrows, often in high densities (up to 462 m2) and therefore can affect fluxes of
oxygen and nutrients across the sediment water interface. To assess the role of H. crassa, our study
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manipulated crab density in both a sandy and a muddy embayment. Sediment was sieved to remove
large fauna, placed in cages (16 cages per embayment) and allowed to settle for several weeks. Crabs of
known carapace width were introduced into the cages in 4 density treatments three weeks prior to
conducting flux chamber incubations both in the day and at night. Oxygen levels increased during the
day in both the sandy and muddy habitats. Oxygen efflux was negatively correlated with crab density,
as was the content of chl a in the sediment. At night, both habitats became a sink for oxygen, and
sediment oxygen demand increased with increasing crab density. Generally, rates of oxygen exchange
were higher at the sandy versus the muddy site. However, both sediment types indicated crab
mediated effects, suggesting an important ecological role of H. crassa in these environments.
AUSTRALIA'S MARINE ENVIRONMENT - THE BIG PICTURE IN A CLIMATE OF CHANGE
Gina Newton • [email protected]
There is now scientific and international consensus that climate change is occurring and impacts are
being observed (IPCC AR4 2007). Over the past 100 years, the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases have increased dramatically in the Earth’s atmosphere – primarily from the burning
of fossil fuels and land clearing. The current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere (ca. 380 ppm) is
already 100 ppm higher than pre-industrial times and the levels associated with interglacial states. The
main concern with climate change is the projected rapidity of change, with current projections
suggesting a global average warming in the range of 1.1 °C to 6.4°C in a mere 100 years (IPCC AR4),
compared with thousands of years for similar changes historically. Many organisms and natural
systems may not have time to adapt to this rapid change given the evolutionary timescales at which
they normally adapt to change. Another key factor adding to the vulnerability of natural systems to
climate change is the unprecedented levels of landscape fragmentation. Fragmentation leads to
isolation and discontinuity of ecosystems and creates artificial barriers – each of which limits dispersal,
migration and resilience. Many consider that climate change may be the dominant driver of
biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem services globally. The implications of climate change for
coastal and marine systems are significant - particularly in light of other pressures such as pollution,
invasive species or extractive activities. The latest climate change science will be presented and the
likely impacts and issues for coastal, estuarine and marine systems discussed. Approaches for building
resilience and facilitating adaptive responses will also be explored.
FAIR DINKUM ESTUARINE ZOOPLANKTON: HYDROLOGY, ECOLOGY AND THE VITAL PLANKTONICBENTHIC LINK
Gina Newton • [email protected]
Investigations of the annual hydrological cycle of a salt-wedge estuary on the southern Australian coast
(south-west Victoria) tested and supported the hypothesis that hydrological cycles (ie. annual and tidal)
are a major determinant of estuarine zooplankton ecology - including the adaptive responses and
behaviours of various zooplankters. The annual hydrological cycle was found to comprise of three
main phases of salt-wedge dynamics: reduction/absence, emplacement and presence. Importantly, the
seasonal succession of the calanoid copepod assemblage, dominated by the estuarine endemic
Gippslandia estuarina, closely followed these phases. During the physically extreme and unstable phases
of salt-wedge dynamics, physical environmental factors exerted the greatest influence on the ecology of
the estuarine Calanoida. Conversely, biological interactions appeared to be of increased importance
during the more stable phase of salt-wedge presence. A variety of behaviourally mediated strategies
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were identified among the calanoids as mechanisms of population retention and position maintenance
in the face of tidal and river flows - including during the extreme disturbance of annual scouring
floods. These included the presence of dormant life history stages (a first-time report for the estuarine
Calanoida), and refuge in littoral vegetation (eg., Gladioferens pectinatus). Thus traditional ‘plankton’
dwellers were linked to both the littoral-phytal and benthic habitats as a means of coping with
environmental stress. It is recommended that future studies of estuarine zooplankton ecology consider:
all habitat components - planktonic (pelagic), benthic and littoral, and the use of endemics as indicators
of hydrological conditions.
BIOSECURITY QUEENSLAND VS PESKY PEST MUSSELS: NEW STRATEGIES AND SUCCESSES
Kerry Neil • [email protected]
Biosecurity Queensland has recently been established within the Queensland Department of Primary
Industries and Fisheries providing a centralised Government agency for coordination of marine pest
management in Queensland. This management involves prevention of, early detection and response to
and recovery from pests and diseases that threaten the economy, environment and our way of life.
Biosecurity Queensland’s capacity to respond to a marine pest incursion was tested in late 2007 when
Asian green mussels (Perna viridis) and Asian bag mussels (Musculista senhousia), both pests of concern
for Australia, were detected on a vessel in Queensland waters. The resulting surveillance detected a
juvenile Asian green mussel on another vessel indicating a spawning event. The response from BQ to
the early detection of this pest involved all tiers of government and linked with stakeholder, industry,
research and public bodies. The strategy adopted included a range of monitoring methods to determine
the extent of incursion and effectiveness of eradication activities. The strategies implemented and
relative successes will be discussed.
SEASONAL AND INTERANNUAL VARIATIONS IN DEEP OCEAN PARTICLE FLUXES AND
RELATIONSHIPS WITH UPPER OCEAN PROCESSES IN SUBTROPICAL AND SUBANTARCTIC WATERS,
EAST OF NEW ZEALAND
Scott Nodder • [email protected]
S. Chiswell
P. Boyd
Deep-ocean biophysical time-series moorings have been deployed in subantarctic and subtropical
waters, east of New Zealand, since 2000. Coupled with remotely sensed data, these moorings provide
information on upper ocean processes and their relationships with particle fluxes to the deep ocean.
From these time-series, the impacts of seasonally varying surface productivity and mixed-layer
evolution on the processes delivering organic matter to the ocean interior and sea-floor can be
evaluated. Despite interannual variability, the timing, magnitude and composition of organic fluxes
reveal consistent patterns over the annual cycle in both water masses. In particular, fluxes are higher in
subtropical compared to subantarctic waters. Fluxes in subtropical waters have strong seasonality with
highest fluxes occurring in spring during maximum biological production, which is instigated rapidly
as the mixed-layer begins to shoal from deep winter mixing to 250-300 m water depths. Peaks in
organic flux occur at a similar time in subantarctic waters, despite only moderate spring production
rates and shallower winter mixing (100-150 m). Deficits in the vertical organic carbon flux delivered to
the sea-floor and the amount of carbon required to fuel deep-sea benthic community metabolism in
both subtropical and subantarctic water masses suggest these organisms must derive their energy
requirements from other sources, such as lateral advection and in situ chemical processes. Such longterm observations in the open ocean are rare and offer insights into the future possible impacts of
global change on marine biogeochemical processes.
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THE INFLUENCE OF HYDRO-DAM TAILRACE DISCHARGES ON FLOW MECHANICS IN A FIORD
Joanne O'Callaghan • [email protected]
Craig Stevens
Graham Rickard
Doubtful Sound is a complex glacial fiord located in Fiordland. Although annual rainfall is in excess of
7 m, tailrace discharge into the fiord from the Manapouri hydro-electric scheme typically exceeds
natural runoff by ~2.5 times. This discharge injects substantial buoyancy and momentum to the coastal
system as a buoyant river plume. Using results from "Gerris", an adaptive Navier-Stokes fluid solver,
we examine the redistribution of plume energy as it moves away from the source. This model can deal
with the spatial and temporal complexity implied by "small scale" (non-hydrostatic) geophysical flows
which are necessary to capture the dynamics in this shear-stratified system.
BENTHIC HABITATS OF LOWER OTAGO HARBOUR
Brian Paavo • [email protected]
Keith Probert
Otago Harbour is a principal seaport of the South Island and a dominant feature of the city of Dunedin.
Proximity of the University of Otago and the Portobello Marine Laboratory has promoted numerous
small studies of specific locations and taxa in the harbour, but few synthetic studies exist. A
photographic survey of the outer harbour was conducted to identify spatial patterns of superficial
benthic features including principal sediment types, algal structure, and bioturbation. A digital camera
system, with live video preview, was deployed from a small vessel. This system allowed generalisation
of sites and efficient image capture. Analyses are presented using a GIS framework. The wide variety of
habitats were reduced to a subset including fine sands dominated by current features, sediments
structured by bioturbators, patchy algal mats, intertidal regions dominated by Zostera novazelandica,
Callianassa filholi, and Abarenicola affinis, muddy sediments with dense macrofaunal tube mats, and a
deeper sessile epifauna present on cobbles and relict shell mounds. This overview of the lower harbour
environment has been used to inform a stratified random sampling of macrofaunal communities in the
harbour in advance of channel improvements. This cost-effective and informative approach could be
used by city and regional councils to more efficiently guide subsequent environmental work.
STRESS RESISTANCE IN AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT: LESSONS LEARNT FROM A TEMPERATE
SYMBIOTIC SEA ANEMONE
Milena Palka • [email protected]
Simon Davy
Coral bleaching, the loss of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) or their photosynthetic pigments
in response to environmental stress, is of huge global concern. In contrast to tropical corals, which are
highly sensitive to fluctuations in environmental parameters such as temperature, light and salinity,
zooxanthellate invertebrates in temperate waters rarely bleach despite highly variable conditions. Here
we are testing the effects of combined salinity-temperature-light stress on the temperate sea anemone,
Anthopleura aureoradiata and measuring photosynthetic health and symbiosis stability. We are
employing pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry, a powerful yet simple and non-invasive
tool, for measuring various aspects of photosynthesis through chlorophyll fluorescence. In the field, the
effects of fluctuating environmental factors on A. aureoradiata are being evaluated using Diving PAM. In
the lab, anemones are being exposed to varying levels of salinity (5-60 ppt), light (1-420 µmol
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photons/m2/sec) and temperature (6-30 °C), and photosynthetic health is being measured with Imaging
PAM. Because A. aureoradiata resides on shallow mudflats and in rock pools, it is likely to be exposed to
considerable environmental fluctuations. Since it has never been seen to bleach, we hypothesize that the
resistance of A. aureoradiata to changes in salinity is a function of the robust photophysiology and
stability of its zooxanthellae. It is expected that photophysiological stress, specifically zooxanthellar
expulsion and loss of photosynthetic capacity, will only occur at extreme levels of salinity, temperature,
and light. The latest laboratory and field results will be presented.
SHARK POPULATION ASSESSMENTS USING A PORTABLE VIDEO-ACOUSTIC SYSTEM
Jason Pallot • [email protected]
Rob Harcourt
Charlie Huveneers
Shark species are being overfished worldwide at an unprecedented rate. The rise in demand for shark
fin, coupled with a large incidence of bycatch on tuna longlines, has placed increasing pressure on both
coastal and pelagic shark populations in recent decades. Compounding the issue, non-lethal population
monitoring data has proven difficult and costly to acquire. Research in the 1960s showed that sharks
can be attracted to an area using irregularly pulsed, low-frequency sound. This may then be used for
the purposes of conducting population assessments. The acoustic technique may be a faster and more
cost effective way than traditional techniques for collecting population monitoring data. This study
tests the effectiveness of using sound and remote underwater video systems compared to baited remote
underwater video stations and underwater visual survey. A pilot study was undertaken at Lizard
Island Research Station in Mar/Apr 2008 using both underwater video and observers. It was found that
a significantly larger number of sharks were sighted whilst baiting and conducting underwater visual
surveys than while using sound. Also, human observers greatly increased the number of shark
sightings when compared to the use of video due to the larger field of vision and the behaviour of
attracted sharks. Results from the pilot study allow comparisons between these three shark population
assessment methods.
BIOSECURITY IN AUSTRALASIA
Naomi Parker • [email protected]
Andrew Johnson• [email protected]
Marine biosecurity is in its infancy when compared to terrestrial biosecurity with arrangements having
been in place for decades rather than centuries. As relatively isolated countries with unique and
spectacular marine environments, marine biosecurity is critical for Australia and New Zealand which is
why in many ways these two countries are leading the world. The two countries have both common
and unique challenges to face in trying to prevent marine pests and diseases from entering their waters
and to manage those that have already arrived. The talk will provide a brief overview of the Australia
and New Zealand’s approaches to marine biosecurity and an introduction to the symposium.
IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING “VULNERABLE MARINE ECOSYSTEMS” ON SEAMOUNTS IN THE
SOUTH PACIFIC USING REAL-TIME FISHERIES INFORMATION
Steve Parker • [email protected]
Andrew Penney
Malcolm Clark
The United Nations General Assembly resolution 61/105 calls for States to protect vulnerable marine
ecosystems (VMEs) from destructive fishing practices in international waters. In response, the
developing South Pacific RFMO adopted interim measures requiring states to assess whether
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individual bottom fishing activities encounter VMEs, and to require vessels to cease fishing and move
away from such areas. We developed implementation guidelines to assess whether a given fishing
event provides evidence of a VME on seamounts in the South Pacific in real time using fishery observer
information. The guidelines specify threshold weight values for particular taxonomic categories, such
as sponges, or scleractinian corals for a single tow. Exceeding a composite threshold value requires the
vessel to move at least 5 nm and report the catch to the flag State immediately. These data can then be
used in combination with data from nearby tows, other information from habitat availability models or
scientific observations to ultimately designate some areas as VMEs. The approach allows some fishing
to occur where the presence of VMEs is uncertain, while accumulating data to be used for mapping and
designating representative spatial closures.
IN SITU ASSESSMENT OF RECRUITMENT AND HULL-FOULING SURVIVORSHIP OF VESSELS PLYING
EXTENDED VOYAGE TIMES
Richard Piola • [email protected]
Ashley Coutts
Grant Hopkins
Shipping is generally accepted as the principal mechanism for the transport of marine non-indigenous
species (NIS) worldwide, with hull-fouling (or biofouling) one of the primary means of dispersal.
However, the relationship between vessel biofouling and specific vessel types is poorly understood particularly the influence of vessel characteristics (e.g. speed, shape, design, use) on the composition
and survivorship of fouling assemblages following extended voyages. Pre-fouled settlements plates can
be attached to metal-hulled vessels using Mag-Plates, enabling us to undertake in situ studies that
examine hull-fouling survivorship over a range of vessel types and hull locations. Our recent work has
focused on determining levels of recruitment experienced by different classes of vessels, assessing en
route survival of fouling taxa, identifying morphological characteristics of fouling taxa that increase
survivorship over prolonged vessel voyages, and identifying "niche" areas of a vessel that have an
increased propensity for fouling. In this study, we attached both blank and pre-fouling settlement
plates to a range of vessel types to assess the recruitment and/or survival of common fouling taxa over
extended vessel voyage times (7 - 28 days). We also compared the recruitment and survivorship of
organisms within different areas of the same vessel hull (e.g. exposed bow region versus sheltered
areas around the stern). This paper presents results of these recent field trials and discusses potential
future directions of our research.
REDISTRIBUTION OF SEWAGE-NITROGEN IN ESTUARINE FOOD WEBS FOLLOWING SEWAGE
TREATMENT UPGRADES
Kylie Pitt • [email protected]
Rod Connolly
Paul Hough
Nitrogen loads are being reduced in many Australian estuaries, largely through the upgrading of
sewage treatment plants (STPs). Sewage nitrogen is enriched in 15N relative to other sources of nitrogen
and this can be used to map its distribution in the food web. δ15N signatures were used to assess
changes in the distribution of sewage N in algae, mangrove leaves and shore crabs following the
upgrading of two STPs in southeast Queensland. Four rivers were sampled: two that had STPs
scheduled for upgrade (Brisbane and Logan) and two reference rivers that had STPs that had been
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upgraded five years previously (Pine and Caboolture). Five locations in each river were sampled before
(Aug and Nov 2005) and after (Aug & Dec 2006 & 2007) the upgrades. Algae, mangrove leaves and
shore crabs were all enriched in δ15N at locations adjacent to the outfalls in the Brisbane and Logan
Rivers relative to the reference rivers before the upgrades in 2005. In the Brisbane River δ15N of algae
decreased rapidly and was comparable to the reference rivers by 2006. δ15N of crabs decreased
gradually over 2006/2007. Mangroves showed no change. There was little evidence of the STP upgrade
at the Logan River and this was consistent with only minimal reductions in dissolved nitrogen loads in
the Logan River following the upgrade. These results demonstrate that upgrading of STPs reduces the
amount of sewage-N entering the food web and that the effects can be detected across at least two
trophic levels.
LONG-TERM CHANGES IN DISTRIBUTION OF TASMANIAN INTERTIDAL FAUNA - A CLEAR RESPONSE
TO GLOBAL WARMING
Nicole Pitt • [email protected]
Elvira Poloczanska
Alistair Hobday
There have been numerous responses to global warming in terrestrial systems, but fewer have been
documented in the marine environment, and least in the southern hemisphere. Distribution or
abundances changes are the most commonly observed responses to global warming. Such changes are
generally determined by comparing past and present distributional data, although predictive
modelling can also be used. In Tasmania, surveys based on historical data from the 1950s have revealed
that 17 of 32 (53%) intertidal species have shifted their distribution southward along the east coast of
Tasmania, an average increase of 145 km. A similar result was obtained for the west coast of Tasmania
with 7 of the 32 (22%) shifting their distribution southward with an average of 150 km increase. These
changes are consistent with observed physical changes in ocean temperature, such as the southward
extension of the East Australia Current. With increasing global warming more species are expected to
shift their distribution towards the poles. In Tasmania, this may mean a loss of cold water species, and
an increase in warm water species from the north.
MULTI-SCALE HYDRODYNAMICS AND MARINE FARMS
David Plew • [email protected]
Sebastien Delaux
Craig Stevens
Marine farms interact with flow at a wide range of scales. At the smallest scale, mussel-encrusted crop
ropes produce wakes and turbulence that can influence feeding. At larger scales, the wakes from longlines or cages may shelter downstream structures, reducing nutrient supplies. At the large scale, the
size of the farm footprint is strongly related to currents and how the farm modifies flow. In this
presentation we focus on mussel farming and present results from studies at each of these scales.
Laboratory measurements show the flow around individual mussel ropes, and consider the effect of
mussel siphoning on drag and potential re-filtration. Numerical modelling using the GERRIS flow
solver is used to study the interaction between multiple long-lines. Finally coastal/ocean models
(RiCOM, ROMS) are used to investigate the influence of mussel farms at the embayment scale using
analytical approaches to paramaterise the farm drag.
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CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE OCEANS - WHAT ARE WE MISSING?
Elvira Poloczanska • [email protected]
Anthony Richardson
Alistair Hobday
Climate change is impacting our global biodiversity. The IPCC 4th Assessment Report reported 28,671
significant biological changes globally of which 90% were consistent with climate change. Less than
0.3% of these biological changes were from marine systems. In addition, few were from the Southern
Hemisphere, even including terrestrial impacts, which may be attributed to a lack of studies of climate
impacts on natural systems and species at regional or national scales. We argue that the dearth of
documented changes from marine systems does not imply that oceans are immune to climate change,
but rather is an artefact of the distribution of global science funding, the difficulty of disentangling
multiple stressors from relatively poorly sampled systems, the disconnect between marine and
terrestrial ecology, the way marine ecologists themselves report research findings, and limitations
within the existing IPCC process. We present emerging evidence that suggests marine ecosystem
responses to climate change may be faster than in terrestrial systems, despite slower ocean warming.
We describe focused research priorities that will help fill our current knowledge gap for marine
systems. The lack of baseline data in Australia and New Zealand will require innovative approaches.
This fundamental information is critical for developing integrated and adaptive management strategies
to protect marine environments in the future.
POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE OF SPERM WHALES (PHYSETER MACROCEPHALUS) IN
AUSTRALIAN WATERS AND RELATEDNESS WITHIN MALE AND FEMALE GROUPS
David Power • [email protected]
Luciana Moller
Global population genetics studies of sperm whales have reported low levels of diversity and low
genetic differentiation between individuals from different ocean basins for mitochondrial DNA. By
contrast, genetic variation in nuclear DNA was higher but no genetic structure was apparent between
individuals from different ocean basins. Previous studies, however, had small number of samples from
the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly from Australia. Here we investigate genetic diversity and
differentiation between sperm whales from four Australian regions encompassing two ocean basins,
using both mtDNA control region sequences and five microsatellite loci. In addition, we estimated
genetic relatedness within and between sperm whale groups from two of these regions. We found no
significant differentiation at the mtDNA control region between any of the four regions, including
comparisons between ocean basins. However, significant but low genetic differentiation at
microsatellite loci was obtained between Carnarvon in the Indian Ocean and the three other regions,
suggesting some degree of genetic subdivision around Australia. Analysis of genetic relatedness
revealed that both male and female groups were composed of a number of highly related individuals,
with significant differences in average relatedness within and between groups. These results suggest
that that males and females may associate preferentially with related individuals of the same sex, with
females probably remaining in the natal group and related males dispersing together at adolescence.
Through associating with kin, sperm whales have the opportunity to benefit through kin selection and
inclusive fitness gains.
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GOT GAS? TRY RECOMPRESSION!
Alena Pribyl • [email protected]
Steven Parker
Carl Schreck
Overfished species of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) from the Northeast Pacific experience high bycatch
mortality due to 'barotrauma', induced from the rapid change in pressure during capture. As a result,
'catch and release' techniques may not be effective for some species. Field experiments show that it may
be possible for rockfish to recover from barotrauma if quickly recompressed prior to release. However,
no work has followed the physiological recovery of rockfish after recompression or determined if it is
possible for rockfish to survive barotrauma in the long term. We induced barotrauma in adult black
rockfish (Sebastes melanops) from a simulated depth of 35 m with subsequent recompression. Following
recompression, rockfish were slowly acclimated to surface pressure and transported to recovery tanks.
Blood and selected tissues (eye, heart ventricle, head kidney, liver, rete mirable, and gonad) were
sampled at days 3, 15, and 31 post-barotrauma to evaluate the cellular-level response during recovery.
No mortality from barotrauma occurred during the experiments and 80% of both treatment and control
fish resumed feeding by day 31. Injuries as the macroscopic level consisted of swimbladder rupture,
and at the histological level rete mirabile inflammation increased over time in treatment fish. Blood
assays showed no differences between treatment and control fish.
A NOVEL METHOD FOR SAMPLING PLANKTOBENTHIC LARVAE AND OTHER ZOOPLANKTON
Rachel Przeslawski • [email protected]
Matthew McArthur
Most marine invertebrates have a free-swimming larval stage, but larvae and other zooplankton are
rarely sampled during standard biological surveys. To collect these organisms, we developed the
MAPS (Mounted-Assembly-for-Planktobenthic-Sampling), a tri-layered net mounted on a benthic sled
with a base lever to open and close the net. Initial deployment at 40 m depth returned mixed results:
The MAPS collected planktobenthic mysids, suggesting that it is effectively sampling in the target zone;
but the closing mechanism did not operate properly, and sediment plumes interfered with the samples.
Once the design is refined to resolve these issues, the MAPS will provide a relatively inexpensive, timesaving, and efficient way to sample planktobenthic organisms. As part of the Australian federal
government's offshore energy security program, Geoscience Australia is undertaking marine
reconnaissance surveys to deepwater remote frontier basins. In our effort to identify potential abiotic
surrogates for biodiversity in these environments, larvae may be particularly useful by revealing
potential surrogacy relationships more clearly than adults due to their higher sensitivity to many
environmental conditions. In addition, direct comparisons can be made between benthic and
planktobenthic samples among regions, as the sled and the MAPS collect samples at exactly the same
time. This will help to further understand spatial and temporal variation in community structure and
our knowledge of the ways in which surrogacy relationships may change over time and space.
Information about planktobenthic larvae and other zooplankton can also be applied to a range of other
research areas, including larval dispersal and invertebrate reproduction.
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BIOACTIVES VS. BIOPRODUCTS - THE ROAD FROM DISCOVERY TO THE MARKET
Ronald Quinn • [email protected]
David Camp • [email protected]
The wealth of chemical diversity that has evolved with biological diversity has been used as a source of
medicines by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Research into natural products reached a peak
in the period from 1970-80. Of the 877 small molecule New Chemical Entities (NCEs) arising between
1981 and 2007, around 50% were natural products, derived from, or inspired by them. However, by the
1990s research on natural products by the pharmaceutical industry was declining. This decline was due
to various factors, including the low throughput of screening/isolation of natural product extracts. Drug
discovery turned to high throughput screening of large libraries of pure compounds synthesised via
combinatorial chemistry. Because the chemical diversity of these libraries was not always relevant to
biological function, this approach was not as successful as hoped. The potential rewards from natural
product drug discovery are massive despite being regarded by some as a risky, speculative “fishing
expedition” with no guarantee of finding compounds of interest. Timelines, governed by the separation
of compounds from extracts using bioassay-guided fractionation, are slower than alternative lead
generation strategies. This presentation outlines various process improvements implemented at the
Eskitis Institute that have streamlined the conventional biodiscovery paradigm. The efficiency gains
facilitate delivery of novel chemical leads from NP screening within timelines expected by big pharma
and complement HTS as a lead generation strategy.
THE CONFLICTING REQUIREMENTS OF FEEDING AN IMPORTANT BUT POTENTIALLY TOXIC DIATOM,
CHAETOCEROS CALCITRANS, TO GREENSHELL MUSSEL LARVAE
Norman Ragg • [email protected]
Nick King
Jonathan Morrish
Ellie Watts
The diatom Chaetoceros calcitrans (‘Cc’) is a valuable dietary component for cultured Greenshell™
mussel larvae, Perna canaliculus. Unfortunately, this diatom is also known to be potentially toxic. Here
the hypothesis that age of Cc batch culture influenced the deleterious effects on larvae was tested by
growing the diatom for 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 day periods in 20 L carboys before feeding the larvae a 2:1 ratio
of Cc:Isochrysis galbana at a continuous rate sufficient to maintain a feed environment of 40 cells δL-1 in
the outflow water of purpose-built 2.5 L assay tanks containing the mussel larvae. It was found that
larval performance declined with increasing Cc culture age. Pediveligers were dominant at 23 days post
hatching. At this point, animals fed 2 day old Cc had a mean shell height of 236 δm, were eating 35,000
cells larva-1 day-1, and had a survival rate of 59%; corresponding values for 6 day old Cc were 214δm,
17,000cells larva-1 day-1 and 46% survival. The performance of larvae fed 3, 4 or 5 day-old Cc were
similar to each other, occupying an intermediate level between 2 and 6 day Cc. Effects persisted postmetamorphosis, reflected in a 5-fold difference in spat survival between 2 and 6 day old Cc, assessed 10
days after settlement. The implications of these findings for mass production of Cc and mussel larvae
will be discussed in the context of feeding and stocking models developed by the Cawthron Institute.
PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING OF HECTOR’S DOLPHIN AT BANKS PENINSULA, NEW ZEALAND
William Rayment • [email protected]
Steve Dawson
Liz Slooten
Depending on the question being addressed, acoustic surveys for cetaceans can have several
advantages over visual surveys. The T-POD is an autonomous acoustic data logger with inbuilt filters
that can be set to match the click characteristics of the target species. The accompanying software
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(TPOD.exe) applies a click train detection algorithm that detects and classifies trains of logged clicks
into categories according to how likely they are to be of cetacean origin. The performance of the T-POD
for detecting Hector's dolphins was trialled at Flea Bay, Banks Peninsula. Simultaneous visual surveys
were conducted from a hillside overlooking the bay, with distance between the T-POD and dolphins
measured using a theodolite. Dolphins were reliably detected within 200 m of the T-POD. Simultaneous
wideband sound recordings showed that these T-POD detections were echolocation clicks made by
Hector's dolphins. Detection probability decreased with increasing distance, with no detections made
beyond 500 m. To monitor inshore habitat use by Hector's dolphins, T-PODs were then deployed in
three locations at Banks Peninsula, over a two year period (n = 431 days). Acoustic detection data were
summarised by Detection Positive Minutes (DPM) per day. A linear regression model indicated that
season had the largest effect on detection rate, with more than twice as many DPMs per day in summer
(mean = 99.8) as winter (mean = 47.6). The T-POD shows great promise as a tool for acoustic monitoring
of Hector's dolphin, and has potential for studies of habitat use and impact assessment.
THE NEW ZEALAND SCREWSHELL INVASION: IMPACTS ON STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF SOFTSEDIMENT ASSEMBLAGES IN SE AUSTRALIA
Anthony Reid • [email protected]
Craig Johnson
Jeff Ross
The New Zealand Screwshell (Maoricolpus roseus) was inadvertently introduced into Australian waters
during the 1920s, accompanying shipments of live oysters to Tasmania. It is now Australia's most widespread exotic marine species, occurring from SE Tasmania to northern NSW at densities that can exceed
2000 m2. Impacts of screwshells on benthic community structure and function were examined using in
situ manipulative experiments in SE Tasmania. Benthic communities dominated by screwshells had
greatly increased abundances of epifaunal taxa, polychaetes and some crustaceans, but reduced
abundances of large infaunal molluscs, particularly filter-feeding bivalves, compared with adjacent
areas without screwshells. Notably, communities associated with accumulations of dead and empty
screwshells, dead screwshells occupied by hermit crabs, and live shells at similar densities were
distinctly different. Incubations with in situ metabolism chambers showed that accumulations of live
screwshells exhibited higher community respiration (GCR) and gross primary production (GPP) than
other benthic assemblages, but a high net oxygen deficit, reflecting the high biomass of infauna,
epifauna and primary producers. Rates of GCR and GPP were similar in accumulations of dead and
empty screwshells and screwshells with hermit crabs, but GCR was notably lower than for similar
densities of live shells, and thus the net oxygen deficit was lower in accumulations of dead shells than
in alive ones. Areas dominated by screwshells exhibit a highly 'engineered' benthic habitat, with
infaunal community composition and metabolism characteristics dependent on whether shells are dead
or alive, and distinctly different to those of adjacent soft-sediment areas devoid of the exotic mollusc.
MODELLING INTEGRATED MULTI-TROPHIC AQUACULTURE PRACTICE
Jeffrey Ren • [email protected]
Jeanie Stenton-Dozey
New Zealand aquaculture has been experiencing rapid growth with the production dominated by
greenshell mussels. Finfish culture is projected to grow in the next few years. Currently, mariculture
has been the adopting monoculture practice. Because monoculture is inefficient in the utilisation of
resources, it can generate by-products that have an accumulative impact on the environment. To
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mitigate the environmental impact of aquaculture, we need to develop a sustainable aquaculture
practice. NIWA has been conducting a research to develop integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
(IMTA) practice aimed at minimising environmental impact and maximising resource utilisation. For
an IMTA practice, the ecologically complementary species are co-cultured in the same system so that
the bio-production of one species can be utilised by other species as a food source. A working IMTA
practice would produce 'zero' waste. Economically, an IMTA practice would increase species
diversification, value-adding and reduce risk of price fluctuation of a single species. The dynamics of
multi-species culture is complex with interactions between cultured species and with their
environment. To manage such a feed-loop system needs to take all these interactions into account,
because ecosystems have multiple functions and need for integrated management. The only way to
integrate these interactions is by means of mathematical modelling. A mathematical model of IMTA
has been developed. For parameterisation and calibration of the model, laboratory experiments and
field monitoring have been conducted to collect physiological and biological information of cultured
species and environmental data. Incorporated with hydrodynamic model, the IMTA model can be used
to design IMTA practice and understand ecological processes of a multitrophic aquaculture farm.
HUMAN IMPACTS: ARE WE EFFECTIVELY MEASURING, MONITORING AND MANAGING OUR COASTS?
Bethany Roberts • [email protected]
Sean Connell
Our ability to predict the consequence of anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems is underpinned by
our understanding of contemporary responses to current environmental stressors. This understanding,
however, may vary as a consequence of the choice of scale used to observe and measure patterns of
response. On global temperate coastlines, there is growing concern about the increasing loss of kelp
forests, in favour of opportunistic turf-forming algae, as a direct result of urbanisation. Previous work
in Southern Australia suggests that this change may be exacerbated where loss of grazers occurs. We
tested the effectiveness of several measures of algal abundance and diversity to detect change due to
water pollution (nutrient enrichment) and over-fishing (loss of grazers). These measures included the
percentage cover and biomass of individual species and morphological groups, and aggregate indices
such as diversity (Shannon index) and the less commonly used ABC curves and phylogenetic
relatedness. We have shown that to detect increased algal biomass as a result of a single impact (e.g.
water pollution), the conventional classification of morphological groups (i.e. turf-forming) is more
sensitive than species classifications; when using simple measures (e.g. abundance) in place of indices.
However, in order to understand the response to compounded perturbations (i.e. nutrients x grazers),
indices of species level observations may be more sensitive. These differences, therefore, demonstrate
that the response variables we use for both classification (e.g. morphology vs. species) and index (e.g.
simple vs. aggregate indices) may largely predetermine our perception of ecological change and
therefore our predictive models of future environments. By understanding the sensitivity of our
analyses to detect ecological change, we will be better able to anticipate, discover and manage
resolutions to human-induced change in marine ecosystems.
EMII, THE DATA MANAGEMENT ARM OF IMOS: THE INFRASTRUCTURE, DATA STANDARDS
ACTIVITIES, DATAFLOWS, AND PROGRESS
Kate Roberts • [email protected]
Regina Magierowski
Craig Johnson
IMOS (Integrated Marine Observing System) is funded by Australia’s NCRIS (National Collaborative
Research Infrastructure Strategy) to collect a core set of publicly-accessible marine observations,
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towards better enabling eResearch and improving science-based decisionmaking in the marine area.
eMii (eMarine Information Infrastructure) is funded under IMOS to manage all IMOS data. This
presentation reports on IMOS’ data access and integration vision, and eMii’s role and progress in the
development of a framework to manage and integrate IMOS data. eMii’s activities encompass software
development [enhancement of the Metadata Entry and Search Tool], facilitation of adoption of
standards, facilitation of common practices across various datastreams (in data collection, description,
delivery, archiving and sharing), ensuring QC of metadata and ancillary information to support re-use
of data into the future, and ensuring data is transported, hosted and delivered expeditiously. Data tools
and product development, data integration internally and externally, and designing for interoperability
between data systems – including the integration and adoption of standards within software
components, are also discussed.
FINE-SCALE FEATURES OF ICE-OCEAN INTERACTION: UNDERSTANDING PROCESS TO BETTER
REPRESENT EFFECT
Natalie Robinson • [email protected]
Craig Stevens
Mike Williams
Formation and decay of Antarctic sea ice is spatially the largest change to occur annually in the oceans.
At present, understanding of the physical interactions between sea ice and the ocean is far from
complete, revealing a key deficiency in our knowledge of the climate system and its potential for future
change.
The oceanic boundary-layer beneath Antarctic sea ice is a complex zone where buoyancy effects,
turbulence and advection are all significant. Water is near or below its pressure-dependent freezing
point, allowing phase changes that bring further complications. Fine-scale interactions within the
boundary layer under sea ice are characterised by scales of under-ice roughness, eddy size, mixed-layer
depth and shear mixing. Understanding these and other parameters is essential for characterising
signal transfers from the atmosphere into the deep ocean in areas affected by seasonal sea ice cover.
Here we describe recent fine-scale observations beneath the sea ice of McMurdo Sound - an area
influenced by export from the adjacent McMurdo/Ross Ice Shelf ocean cavity. Ice Shelves make up half
of Antarctica's coastline, and introduce plumes of platelet ice and water below its in-situ freezing
temperature to the surface boundary layer, along with all of their attendant complexity.
DEEP-SEA MARINE MINING, OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION - THE SCIENCE
REQUIRED TO SUPPORT OCEAN MANAGEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND’S EEZ
Ashley Rowden • [email protected]
Malcolm Clark
Mireille Consalvey
The current process of redefining New Zealand's legal continental shelf, slope, and apron will extend
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and hence the area of deep seafloor. Given the size of New
Zealand's EEZ and the current high level of interest in deep-sea exploration for minerals, oil, and gas,
and the very large areas of the seafloor already encompassed by mining and drilling permits
(www.crownminerals.govt.nz), knowledge about the benthic organisms that inhabit the seabed in the
vicinity of proposed resource-exploitation activities is critical. Information, such as the distribution and
composition of benthic assemblages and their likely vulnerability to disturbance, is required by both
environmental managers and resource companies in order to adhere to environmental impact
assessment guidelines, plan exploratory surveys, and effectively mitigate for any potentially adverse
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affects of exploration or future exploitation. The current extent of knowledge for benthic assemblages in
exploration permitted areas will be reviewed, as well as recent experience gained from surveys
conducted in association with a mineral mining company. The contribution of deep-sea research in
New Zealand to the future management of ocean resources will also be discussed.
OBSERVATIONS OF SECONDARY FLOW AND UPWELLING AT CAPE SAUNDERS
Peter Russell • [email protected]
Ross Vennell
Secondary flow develops in the curved flow around headlands. It flows radially outwards from the
headland near the surface and radially inwards towards the headland near the bottom. The result is a
helical flow pattern within the curved flow around the headland. The magnitude of secondary flow can
be up to 10% of the depth average current. The driving forces behind secondary flow are the centripetal
acceleration on curved streamwise velocity and vertical shear in the streamwise flow due to bottom
friction. Secondary flow can result in significant upwelling at headlands. High resolution moving vessel
ADCP measurements are made around the vicinity of Cape Saunders on the Otago Peninsula. Around
the Cape the northeastward flowing Southland current is generally stronger than tidal flows. Thus the
currents are northeastward at most states of the tide. New radial basis function interpolation techniques
for smoothing noisy data allows the weak secondary flow to be extracted from the much stronger along
shore flows. During peak floods of 100 cms-1 the measured strength of the secondary flow is 10 cms-1. A
'plume' of secondary flow approximately 1600 m long and 800 m wide is observed down stream of the
Cape. On the inside edge of this plume, areas of upwelling are observed from both measured vertical
velocity and the vertical velocity inferred from the horizontal velocities using mass continuity. The
strength of this upwelling is up to 25 m per hour at peak flood. A value comparable to the water depths
around the Cape. Thus secondary flow induced upwelling of deep waters is significant at the Cape.
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY OF FISH HEART MITOCHONDRIA
Sarah Rynbeck • [email protected]
Anthony Hickey
Michael Oellermann
Mitochondria are essential intracellular organelles, particularly in the heart where they produce 90% of
cellular ATP. The discovery of the mitochondrion's role in numerous cellular processes, including the
production of reactive oxygen species, cellular signalling and apoptosis (cell death), has lead to
renewed interest in functional studies of mitochondria. However, most studies have either focused on
model organisms, comparisons of vastly different species, or those from extraordinary habitats. The
aim of this study is to compare respirational properties of heart ventricle fibres in common temperate
fish species with varying levels of activity, using high resolution respirometry. Cardiac tissue has been
chosen due to its central physiological role and susceptibility to stress. A substrate inhibitor titration
protocol is used to determine differences in electron transport system complex ratios between species.
Mitochondrial structure and density is compared using electron microscopy. Buffering capacity of red,
white and cardiac tissue, and red to white muscle ratios will be used as a quantitative measure of
activity. Preliminary results suggest that active yellow eyed mullet Aldrichetta forsteri has slightly lower
respirational capacities per unit mass than the less active Spotty Notolabrus celidotus. However, mullet
have two-fold greater relative ventricle mass. Furthermore, mullet heart mitochondria are more tightly
coupled indicating greater overall efficiency. Further analysis of other inactive and highly active species
is pending. However, this study has already found fundamental differences in heart mitochondria from
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different species of non-model organisms, and has developed methodologies for future research into
these important cellular powerhouses.
THE INFLUENCE OF VARIABLE RECRUITMENT ON THE STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE
EPIFAUNAL COMMUNITIES
Michael Sams • [email protected]
Mick Keough
The presence of planktonic larval life stages in many marine animals creates great variability in the
timing and location of recruitment. This variation in recruitment is considered to have important
consequences on marine populations and communities. Whilst the sources of variation in recruitment
and its consequences on populations have been relatively well studied in many marine environments,
the influence of variable recruitment on the structure and development of communities is poorly
understood. I am adopting an experimental approach that examines how variation in recruitment
influences the development and structure of local communities of sessile invertebrates (epifauna) at
sites in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. More specifically I am interested in the relative importance of
recruitment vs post-recruitment processes in shaping these communities. I will be presenting the results
of experiments run over the past year in which density, timing and types of species recruiting into
experimental communities was manipulated. Thus far it seems that for some communities, postrecruitment processes have a stronger influence on community structure than recruitment processes.
However, further spatial and temporal replication of these experiments is required in order to properly
understand how variation in recruitment influences the development and structure of epifaunal
communities.
OF SQUATTERS, HERMITS AND KINGS; REVISITING PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE
CRUSTACEAN GROUP ANOMURA.
Kareen Schnabel • [email protected]
Shane Ahyong
Els Maas
What do hermits, moles, squatters and kings have in common? They are all common names for
Anomuran crustaceans, the sister group to the true crabs. Despite the fact that the concept of
anomurans has been accepted for some time, the debate about relationships within this group has not
abated since the 19th century when it was established. Most studies recognize three major clades: the
Hippoidea (mole and sand crabs), Galatheoidea (squat lobsters and porcelain crabs), and Paguroidea
(hermit crabs and king crabs). But despite their taxonomic and morphological diversity, rigorous
phylogenetic studies are few in number. Here, we present results of a detailed analysis combining
molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers) and morphological characters and including all
major taxa. Our results confirm the hippoids as a valid group but both the galatheoids and paguroids
do not represent monophyletic trajectories. Distinct patterns of clusters emerge and a revision of the
Anomuran classification is discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN ACTION: A POSITIVE RESPONSE TO NUTRIENT RELATED WATER
QUALITY PROBLEMS IN A MARINE HARBOUR
Sarah Scott • [email protected]
Neville Blesing
Mark Bailey
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The Northern and Southern Harbours of Jervoise Bay were constructed between the early 1980s and
2002 for commercial and non-commercial purposes; namely, public boat launching, shipbuilding and
fabrication. The environmental performance of the harbour is regulated by the Government of Western
Australia and the results summarised annually as part of the State of Cockburn Sound Report provided
to parliament. A component of the report is to summarise the results of the monitoring programme via
concise, easy to interpret Report Cards. The Report Cards compare the results of the monitoring against
Environmental Quality Indicators and assign each of the indicators a management response of either (1)
monitor, (2) investigate or (3) action required. Algal blooms were detected within the Northern
Harbour shortly following completion of construction. Mitigating procedures including the cessation of
discharge of nitrogen-rich groundwater at two point sources and recovery of nitrogen-rich
groundwater have been successfully implemented with the effect of significantly reducing the
concentration of TN and Chl-a levels within the harbour. The environmental regulation and
management is discussed in relation to the environmental monitoring and outcomes in this area.
SEDIMENTATION IN OTAGO HARBOUR: AN INFILLING HOLOCENE RIVER-INCISED VALLEY
Amy Shears • [email protected]
Abigail Smith
Andrew Gorman
Otago Harbour (45°50' S, 170°40' E), on the east coast of the South Island, is a narrow, northeastsouthwest oriented tidal inlet, ~23 km long, 2 km wide and 4.5 m deep. The harbour is situated in the
eroded caldera of a mid-Miocene (13-10 Ma) complex shield volcano. The present geomorphology of
Otago Harbour is two submerged river-cut basins separated by two islands and Portobello and Port
Chalmers Peninsulas. The harbour's natural environment: controlled by volcanism, faulting,
subsidence, sea-level change and erosion, now has been substantially modified by human activities.
Dredging of the seafloor and reclamation of marginal land commenced in the mid 1800s; today,
maintenance dredging is a daily occurrence that averages 212 500 m3/y. Land reclamation has reduced
the harbour area by 8%. Capital dredging is set to increase with Port Otago's proposed developments of
the port for larger vessels. In order to improve the harbour's management, this research collates
geophysical data and historical records to evaluate the sediment budget of Otago Harbour. Sediment
storage is not well constrained, thus the focus of this research. We here present bedrock geometry and
sediment thickness as determined using two complementary methods: (1) a 2-dimensional single
channel seismic reflection survey of the harbour (Ferranti ORE Geopulse Sub-Bottom Profiling System)
and (2) a gravimetric survey of the surrounding land (Worden gravimeter). The resulting sediment
budget suggests that the modern harbour is infilling, as estimated inputs of sediment outweigh the
outputs.
RAMIFICATIONS OF TREATED WASTEWATER OCEAN DISPOSAL: 10-YEAR ANALYSIS OF SURFACE
WATER QUALITY IN PERTH’S COASTAL WATERS
Glenn Shiell • [email protected]
Tara Amrita
Colin Hart
The Water Corporation of Western Australia oversees disposal of Perth's treated wastewater (TWW)
via three ocean outlets: Ocean Reef (OR); Swanbourne (SB) and Sepia Depression (SD). In 2007, the total
combined volume of TWW disposed to the ocean was approximately 117 GL, comprising 86% and 14%
domestic and industrial wastewater, respectively. As part of the Water Corporation's commitment to
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environmental management, nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations are monitored quarterly both
adjacent to and downstream of the outlets. For this study, 10 years (1996-2006) of data were analysed to:
(1) evaluate changes in nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentrations at appropriate reference and potential
impact sites; and, (2) evaluate the effect of major wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) upgrades on
surface water quality. WWTP upgrades were completed in 2003, with SD upgrading from primary to
secondary treatment, and OR and SB from secondary to advanced secondary treatment. At SB and OR,
results are indicative of a post-upgrade decrease in NOx- downstream (0 m and 1000 m) of the outlets,
and a corresponding decrease in chlorophyll-a downstream of SB between 2004 and 2006. The apparent
reduction in chlorophyll-a was restricted to SB. Concentrations of chlorophyll-a increased at sites
further downstream (= 3800 m) of the OR outlet. At SD, the shift from primary to secondary treatment
resulted in a change in the dominant N species from NH3 to NOx- at sites 0 m and 1000 m downstream
of the outlet. Ramifications of treated wastewater disposal to Perth's oligotrophic coastal environment
are discussed.
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE INVASIVE POTENTIAL OF THE PACIFIC OYSTER (CRASSOSTREA GIGAS) IN
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Michael Sierp • [email protected]
Vic Neverauskas
The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is a native to Japan and is cultured in over 70 countries. Prompted by
low catch rates and several failed attempts at cultivation of the South Australian native flat oyster
Ostrea angasi, a decision was made to trial the 'hardier' Pacific oysters. In 1969 the first shipment of
oyster spat from Tasmania arrived in S.A. Today, the oyster farming industry is a major economic
contributor of seafood for South Australia. Farming activities are based in 5 major areas in S.A.
including Murat Bay, Smoky Bay, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay and Franklin Harbor. Minor areas include
the Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. Initial trials led the wider S.A. community to believe that
Pacific oysters would not self propagate outside of lease areas due to the high salinities and the
characteristics of their larval stages. However, in other states, invasive colonisation of intertidal reefs by
Pacific oysters has caused serious damage to reef aesthetics, biodiversity and public amenity. Despite
30+ years of cultivation, surveys of several oyster growing regions have previously exhibited low spat
fall and examples of self sustaining populations were absent. More recently however, increased
numbers of escaped oysters have been found in some of the major oyster growing regions and
consecutive year classes of escapees have been identified. This has prompted the initiation of several
research projects to determine appropriate management actions for prevention of reef colonisation. The
outcomes of the research projects and potential management options for the future will be discussed.
CARBO-LOAD OR PROTEIN SHAKE? THE ROLE OF CARBOHYDRATES IN SPINY LOBSTER DIETS
Cedric Simon • [email protected]
There is a worldwide interest in the development of aquaculture for spiny lobsters. In addition to a
seed lobster supply, the most significant bottleneck has been developing a cost-effective and
nutritionally-adequate formulated diet for spiny lobsters. Nutritional studies to date have focused
principally on the protein and lipid fractions in experimental feed development while carbohydrates
have been largely overlooked. Carbohydrates are however important components of commercial
formulated diets because of their contribution to glucose metabolism, their protein-sparing effect, and
their influence on the water stability, digestibility and price of the feed. This study investigates the
feeding, digestive and growth responses of small J. edwardsii juveniles fed different carbohydrate
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sources. The specific aims were to quantify carbohydrate digestion in vivo (i.e. haemolymph glucose
flux) and in vitro (i.e. enzymatic carbohydrate breakdown) as well as identify the effects of
carbohydrate on consumption, growth, survival, glycogen content and enzymatic activity of the
digestive gland of spiny lobster juveniles. Results indicate that carbohydrate source and inclusion level
have a significant effect on the performance of formulated diets for J. edwardsii. Several useful
carbohydrate sources were identified and are discussed in the light of future research on diet
development for spiny lobsters.
MODELLING ANTHROPOGENIC NUTRIENT LOADS TO HELP MANAGE A DIVERSE AUSTRALIAN
ESTUARY
Jennifer Skerratt • [email protected]
Karen Wild-Allen
J. Parslow
We present results on the successful use of a 3D coupled biogeochemical, hydrodynamic and sediment
model to describe the nutrient and plankton dynamics of the Derwent Estuary which borders the city of
Hobart. The catchment and surrounds of the Estuary are diverse and include a number of heavy
industrial sites in addition to naturally forested and agricultural areas and a major city. Nutrient loads
from the catchment, the major industries and sewerage treatment plants are included in the model
which simulates the spatial distribution, seasonal transformation and fate of nutrients in the estuary.
We compare the model results with observations for a range of nutrients and chlorophyll throughout
the estuary. We show that although estuary is nitrogen limited, nutrients previously thought to be
flushed out of the estuary remain within the middle estuary. The model also demonstrates that water is
drawn into the estuary at the model boundary from an area that has seen a major increase in
aquaculture over recent years. The implications of fish farm nutrient loads entering the Derwent may
need to be addressed by government bodies. Results presented here address specific environments and
ecological questions resulting in the development, implementation and testing of a diverse range of
model situations and scenarios. This sophisticated model is helping to inform government water
quality management, monitoring and action plans for the estuary.
THE COMBINED IMPACTS OF BLEACHING AND MINE WASTE DISPOSAL ON CORAL MORTALITY AT
LIHIR ISLAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Timothy Skewes • [email protected]
Adrian Flynn
Darren Dennis
The gold mine on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea disposes waste overburden into the nearshore
environment, causing sedimentation and coral mortality on adjacent fringing reefs. In February 2006 a
major coral bleaching event also affected this region. We were able to document this event in both the
mine affected and control areas, as well assessing post-bleaching mortality of individual corals four and
12 months later. This enabled us to measure the coral mortality associated with the bleaching event, the
mine waste disposal and these two impacts combined. Before the bleaching event in 2006, live coral
cover in areas directly adjacent to the mine was reduced to 15.9% of the total benthic habitat, compared
to 30.5% in control areas, as a result of mine-derived sedimentation. The coral bleaching event in 2006
resulted in about 30% of corals being bleached in the control areas; however 52% were bleached in the
mine site, probably due to the cumulative stress of the higher than normal water temperatures and the
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effects of mine sedimentation. Also, mortality rates of bleached corals four months and one year post
bleaching was 37.5% and 42.5% for control areas, compared to 75% and 95% in the mine affected areas;
again presumably due to the combination of bleaching and mine-derived mortality. This study
illustrates the importance of assessing multiple impacts on coastal habitats, and, more specifically, that
the impacts of climate change and coastal development should not be assessed in isolation.
CURRENT AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF HECTOR'S DOLPHIN BYCATCH
Elisabeth Slooten • [email protected]
Mortality in fishing gear is the main threat to Hector’s dolphin, with 110–150 individuals/year killed in
commercial gillnets, plus an unknown number in trawl fisheries and recreational gillnets. The US
National Marine Fisheries Service has developed a method for determining the level of human impact
on marine mammal populations which, if exceeded, is likely to cause population decline. These levels
are < 1 individual/year for most Hector’s dolphin populations and < 10/year for the species, i.e., current
levels of bycatch exceed these sustainable levels by more than 10x. This reflects results of two recent
risk analyses for Hector’s dolphin, which despite using different methods came to very similar
conclusions. A standard Population Viability Analysis estimates the risk of population decline under
current management at 86%. A Bayesian fisheries model estimates the same risk at 82%. The risk drops
to around 14% if gillnetting is restricted to areas > 100 m deep or 2% if dolphins are completely
protected from fisheries mortality. By 2050 populations are predicted to decline to 5,475 or 5,631 if
current management continues and recover to 14,650 or 15,411 if fisheries mortalities are reduced to
zero. Likewise, the estimates of current population depletion compared to 1970 population size are very
similar: 27% or 34%. Both analyses clearly indicate Hector’s dolphin is Endangered (reduction to < 50%
over 3 generations, 39 years for Hector’s dolphin). The effectiveness of new regulations to manage
Hector’s dolphin bycatch will be discussed in the light of these results, as well as options for future
improvements.
BRYOZOANS AND OCEAN ACIDIFICATION: A “MINOR PHYLUM” HAS A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY
Abigail Smith • [email protected]
Sessile, inedible, cryptic and small, the Bryozoa are under-appreciated and not well-known. Yet they
are abundant over a wide range of marine habitats, have a long and well-documented fossil record,
form good sources of bioactive compounds, make persistent foulers, and are often visually attractive.
There are over 1000 species extant in New Zealand alone, where they dominate many shelf carbonate
sediments, structure mid-shelf communities, and are important members of the fouling fauna. The
carbonate from which they form their skeletons is mineralogically diverse, varying from calcite to
aragonite to mixtures of the two, with a wide range of Mg-substitution in the calcite; New Zealand
bryozoans are one of the few groups where carbonate mineralogy is well characterised. Mineralogical
variability is partially phylogenetic, and partly environmentally controlled. As the ocean becomes more
acidic, marine calcifying invertebrates may find biomineralisation to be increasingly difficult. A
mineralogically diverse phylum like the Bryozoa could adjust to changes in oceanic pH, and may have
already done so in the past. Bryozoans could be useful markers of pH-related effects, as mineralogically
unstable skeletons may react earlier than others. The bryozoan-dominated carbonate that blankets the
continental shelf to the north and south of New Zealand plays an important role in sequestering CO2; in
a more acid ocean it may begin to give up stored carbon. Understanding the geochemistry of marine
carbonates is the first stage in modeling the unsettling changes in ocean chemistry that may yet unfold,
and bryozoans have an important role to play.
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MODELLING THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF 72 SPECIES OF FISH ON ROCKY REEFS USING BOOSTED
REGRESSION TREES
Adam Smith • [email protected]
John Leathwick
Clinton Duffy
The New Zealand government requires nationally consistent knowledge of the patterns of our marine
flora and fauna to inform the design of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the
country. To provide such knowledge for an important part of our marine fauna, this study used
relatively recent statistical methods called Boosted Regression Trees to model the distribution and
abundance of 72 species of rocky reef fish, using a suite of environmental variables. The models were
used to predict and map the reef fish fauna across all known coastal reefs around the country. The
predicted distributions have a range of potential applications. First, they provide an important resource
for the management of coastal biodiversity and, in particular, for assessing areas of high priority for
protection. In addition, they contain a wealth of ecological information and are a useful platform on
which to base future research into the environmental drivers of the distributions of these species.
DOES PREDATION CAUSE EDGE EFFECTS IN SEAGRASS BEDS?
Timothy Smith • [email protected]
Jeremy Hindell
Greg Jenkins
Rod Connolly
Predation can be a major factor determining the distribution of species within habitats, particularly in
relation to habitat edges. Seagrass habitats support a large and diverse array of small fish species and
some are found in greater abundances at the seagrass edge. Predation by larger piscivorous fish may
influence patterns of distribution of small fish in relation to the seagrass edge. Predator use of seagrass
habitats was assessed by remote underwater videos placed at the seagrass edge, seagrass middle,
adjacent sand and distant sand. Underwater video provided information on predators at small spatial
scales relevant to edges. Australian salmon, Arripis sp. was the most common predator recorded in
video footage, and used the adjacent sand more than other seagrass habitats. To assess if predator
abundance equated to predation on small fishes, juvenile King George whiting, Sillaginodes punctata
and pipefish Stigmatopora sp. were tethered at the seagrass edge, seagrass middle, adjacent sand and
distant sand using a timing device and video. Salmon were the main predators of both S. punctata and
Stigmatopora sp. There was little difference in survival time of S. punctata at each seagrass position;
however, Stigmatopora sp predation was lower at the seagrass middle than other positions. Greater
predator use of the sand adjacent to the seagrass edge, combined with lower predation in the seagrass
interior suggests Stigmatopora sp are more susceptible to predation at the seagrass edge than the
seagrass interior and are choosing to trade off between predation risk and some other mechanism by
inhabiting the seagrass edge.
EVERY MOTHER HAS HER LIMITS: THE TRADE-OFF BETWEEN OFFSPRING SIZE AND OFFSPRING
NUMBER ACROSS MARINE INVERTEBRATE SPECIES
Floor Soudijn • [email protected]
Angela Moles
Dustin Marshall
Emma Johnston
Marine invertebrates display a great diversity of reproductive strategies, ranging from brooding to freespawning. In addition, an enormous range of offspring size can be observed among different species.
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The trade-off between offspring size and number is one of the key assumptions in several of the models
formulated to explain the evolution of life-history strategies in ecology. Larger offspring are assumed to
be energetically more expensive than smaller offspring and, as every 'mother' only has a limited
amount of energy available for reproduction, an increase in offspring size will thus result in a decrease
in the number of offspring she can produce. This study determined the relationship between propagule
size and propagule number across marine invertebrates within two major and highly diverse groups,
the echinodermata and malacostraca. Information on propagule size, clutch size, annual propagule
production, lifetime propagule production and body size were compiled from the literature. With this
information we determined the relationship between propagule size and annual propagule production
per gram of organism, between propagule size and annual propagule production per individual and
between propagule size and lifetime propagule production per individual. We used both cross-species
analyses and phylogenetic regressions. This allowed us to determine whether the relationship observed
across species was caused by major evolutionary changes deep in the phylogenetic tree, or whether
increases in propagule size have been associated with decreases in offspring number throughout the
evolutionary history of the marine invertebrates.
THE POPULAR POT-SCRUBBER (TUFFY™)
Paul South • [email protected]
David Schiel
The supply, settlement and recruitment of larvae have important implications for marine population
dynamics. Recently, much research has focused on linking larval abundance and dispersal data to
observed patterns of settlement and recruitment. Therefore, the measurement of settlement and
recruitment has become increasingly important in benthic marine ecology and in understanding
benthic-pelagic linkages. However, this is confounded by complex settlement/recruitment behaviours
and physical variables that may impact upon the abundance of larvae. Here, we critically assess a
commonplace method of collecting mussel larvae: a fibrous plastic scrubbing pad; the Tuffy™. To do
this, we examined settlement/recruitment of mussel larvae/plantigrades into tuffies at different
intervals. Tuffies were deployed for 1day (5 replicates, 7 deployments) and for 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 6d, 7d,
14d, 28d and 56d (5 replicates, 1 x deployment) to ascertain, and compare, daily and longer-term
patterns of settlement/recruitment. Significant differences in mussel larvae abundance between
intervals suggest that longer deployments are influenced by secondary settlement and, potentially,
saturation effects, such as competition for space. High variability between collections implies that intuffy abundance is not the product of a gradual accumulation of mussel plantigrades, but a reflection of
a highly mobile plantigrade pool. This may have significant implications for studies that use tuffies as
standardised mussel collectors.
BENTHIC RECRUITMENT AND SUCCESSION DYNAMICS AS MONITORING TOOLS TO ASSESS HUMAN
IMPACTS IN COASTAL MARINE ENVIRONMENTS IN ANTARCTICA
Jonathan Stark • [email protected]
Martin Riddle
Glenn Johnstone
The Antarctic environment poses unique challenges to marine ecological research, particularly to
monitoring and assessment of human impacts. Spatial and temporal restrictions on design
requirements (the need to sample at particular places and times) and access (physical and logistic
limitations) constrain standard monitoring procedures and expectations. Methods for monitoring have
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therefore been adapted by the AAD, which use recruitment and development of marine benthic
assemblages in hard and soft bottom habitats. These two habitats provide contrasting ecological
information allowing extensive assessment of impacts. Hard substratum biota are mostly exposed to
water-borne contaminants, either dissolved or particulate (including food), which represent pulse type
disturbances. Soft sediment biota, however, are also exposed to contaminants which accumulate in the
sediment and thus can be used to monitor press disturbances. Recruitment experiments in both habitats
were done at Casey Station to investigate different aspects of the effects of an abandoned coastal waste
disposal site that is known to have had impacts on marine soft sediment assemblages. To determine
whether impacts were ongoing, settlement panels were deployed adjacent to the waste disposal site
and at controls sites for 3 years. Assemblages recruiting to panels showed that there were significant
ongoing effects of the on recruitment of bryozoans, sponges and polychaetes. The disposal site has
since been partially remediated but concerns existed as to whether the remediation operation would
cause further impacts. An experiment examining recruitment in soft-sediments over a 4 year period,
using a beyond-BACI design, was deployed to monitor the remediation process and preliminary results
indicate only minor impacts post-remediation.
CAN INTEGRATED MULTITROPHIC AQUACULTURE (IMTA) INCREASE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF
MARINE FARMS IN NEW ZEALAND?
Jeanette Stenton-Dozey • [email protected]
Jeffrey Ren
Niki Davey
What is Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)? Growing complementary feeding groups in
close proximity for the benefit of the cultured species, the environment, the economy and society.
NIWA is working with the aquaculture farming industry to assist the sector to reach its goal of $1
billion in export revenue by 2025 through species and product diversification. Our research is
supported through the International Opportunity Investment Fund (IIOF - FRST) in NZ and aims to
develop and implement methods for the cost-effective, sea-based culturing of multiple species that are
ecologically complementary. In such co-culture, the bio-production of one species can be utilised by
other species as a food source. Within a farmed area, for example, waste from mussels could be used by
sea cucumbers, while seaweeds on mussel lines could be used to feed a cultured grazer species. IMTA
is an ecologically-based practice for the aquaculture sector that aims to maintain wider ecosystem
health and achieve an optimum ecological balance. Our research has focused around two farms in the
Marlborough Sounds, a salmon farm and a mussel farm. Around these two pivot culture species we
have monitored over one year the hydrodynamics, nutrient and suspended particulate profiles,
sediment settlement and the growth of auxiliary coculture species such as mussels around the salmon
farm and seaweeds at both sites. The role of sea cucumbers as benthic deposit feeders is considered.
This paper presents our preliminary results, discusses the way forward through regulatory constraints
and points to the potential economic advantages in the future.
DIETARY ADAPTATIONS OF SYMPHURUS N. SP. FLATFISH AT SHALLOW HYDROTHERMAL VENTS IN
THE WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN
Catherine Stevens • [email protected]
David Pond
S. Juniper
Almost 15 years ago, flatfish communities were discovered associated with areas of active
hydrothermal venting on the Izu-Bonin Arc and Okinawa Trough. These symphurine tonguefishes
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(Symphurus spp.) have since been discovered on the Mariana Arc and the Tonga-Kermadec Arc and
have become the subject of ecological studies. Our work is focusing on trophic adaptations that allow
these vertebrates to live in such dense aggregations under extreme environmental conditions. We are
also interested in assessing the relative contribution of photosynthetic material to flatfish diets, since
these communities are usually found in relatively shallow waters (< 500 m). Ongoing gut analysis of
nine fish, four from two volcanoes on the Mariana Arc (Nikko and Daikoku) and five from Volcano 1
on the Tonga-Kermadec Arc, indicates that their diet includes polychaetes, alvinocaridid shrimp, and
other crustaceans. Fatty acid analyses were conducted on muscle, eyes, liver, and gonad tissues.
Multivariate statistical analyses of the fatty acid data indicate that most fish were eating a mixed diet.
There is also evidence of ontogenetic dietary shifts in the flatfish. On Daikoku, a particularly small
specimen had elevated levels of bacterial fatty acids and small amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids,
as compared to larger fish from both volcanic arcs. Furthermore, proportions of bacterial fatty acids in
all tissues of Mariana Arc fish were generally higher than in fish on the Tonga-Kermadec Arc. The
flatfish on the Tonga-Kermadec Arc were found in shallower water and may have received larger
inputs of photosynthetic material.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE INVASIVE SEA URCHIN CENTOSTEPHANUS RODGERSII ON
COMMERCIALLY FISHED ABALONE (HALIOTIS RUBRA)
Elisabeth Strain • [email protected]
Craig Johnson
Incursion of the long spined sea urchin (Centrstephanus rodgersii) into Tasmanian (Australia) waters in
the late 1960s and its subsequent establishment at high densities raises several questions about potential
interactions between the sea urchin and another large herbivore on these reefs, namely the black-lipped
abalone (Haliotis rubra) which supports the State's most valuable fishery (ca. AU$120M p.a.). Surveys
show a negative relationship between densities of C. rodgersii and H. rubra at several spatial scales,
suggesting negative interactions. We used manipulative experiments to examine competitive
interactions between these species and the effects on behavior, movement, growth, reproduction and
survival. Our results showed that experimental removals of H. rubra from intact macroalgal beds had
no detectable effects on C. rodgersii behaviour, movement, growth, reproduction, and survival and there
is no evidence that fishing abalone contributed to the invasion success of sea urchins. In contrast,
introduction of C. rodgersii to intact macroalgal beds causes abalone to flee, seek shelter in cryptic
microhabitats, and negatively impacts their growth, reproduction and survival. In other research, H.
rubra would not venture into small 'barren' patches created as a result of overgrazing by the by the C.
rodgersii irrespective of whether the sea urchin was present. This suggests that lack food or loss of
biogenic habitat structure explains the absence of commercial populations of abalone on extensive
urchin 'barrens'. The overall picture from the combined research suggests that management of C.
rodgersii to optimise the H. rubra fishery requires complete removal of the sea urchin and regrowth of
barrens areas.
WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY - EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF CHEMICAL TREATMENTS FOR MARINE
INCURSION RESPONSE
Mike Stuart • [email protected]
Coralie Dignan
New Zealand's geographic isolation presents the opportunity to protect its unique biodiversity and
economy from threats posed by the introduction of non-indigenous marine species (NIMS). However,
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New Zealand's capacity to respond rapidly to NIMS introductions is currently limited by few effective
tools for the treatment of pathways and rapid response to NIMS incursions. Many possible rapid
response tools have been tested in the laboratory and others applied effectively in the management of
freshwater pests, but few have successfully made the transition from the laboratory to the field or from
freshwater to seawater. This paper presents the development, manufacture and field assessment of a
fully operational system capable of delivering chemical treatments used in response to incursions of
non-indigenous marine species (NIMS). The system can be deployed from land or vessel to subtidal
soft sediment substrate. It is capable of containing and re-circulating chemical treatments to a 5 x 5 m
area to depths of 20 m, but could be scaled up to 12 x 12 m with minor modification. Field tests were
undertaken in Otago Harbour and involved the deployment of the system to soft sediment from land
(i.e. a wharf) and a vessel. Data collected from these trails will be presented and discussed in terms of
the efficacy and usefulness of the system as an incursion response tool in the marine environment.
REEF LIFE SURVEY: LINKING VOLUNTEER DIVERS, SCIENTISTS AND MANAGERS IN MARINE
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
Richard Stuart-Smith • [email protected]
Graham Edgar
The inshore marine environment is suffering from a variety of human impacts such as over-fishing,
pollution, sedimentation, bleaching and introduced pests, yet it is very difficult for managers to know
where conservation intervention is most useful because little reliable information exists on the nature
and true scale of these problems. Reef Life Survey (RLS) is a program designed to complement and
greatly extend current scientific research on marine ecosystems, by developing and resourcing a
network of skilled recreational SCUBA divers to collect reliable information on the state of the marine
environment, at continental scales over the long-term. It has a steering committee that includes
representatives from numerous state management agencies, all with direct needs for the data collected
by participating divers. This means that the data collected by RLS divers will be directly contributing to
management decisions; for example data may be used to indicate areas with high biodiversity or other
special values that make them important locations for the development of Marine Protected Areas.
Four 5-day training courses were held around southern Australia between January and March 2008,
where volunteer divers were trained in a standardised biodiversity survey procedure and given
assistance with species identifications and data entry. Analysis of the data collected by the divers on the
courses demonstrated that by the end of the week, the majority of divers were collecting useable data,
equivalent to that of a trained scientific diver, and that these data were capable of differentiating fish
communities between fished areas and no-fishing zones.
HOMING ABILITY OF NEW ZEALAND TRIPLEFIN FISHES
Katrina Subedar • [email protected]
Homing is a behavioural ability which allows animals to return to a previously occupied location, and
is likely to increase survival by facilitating a return to more favourable areas. Triplefins (Tripterygiidae)
have undergone a unique radiation in New Zealand and are one of the most abundant and diverse
groups of fishes on New Zealand rocky reefs. Triplefins are generally considered site-attached and have
relatively small home ranges. Thompson (1983) found that Forsterygion varium could home from up to
700 meters, while Fisher (1998) showed that F. lapillum could home from up to 50 meters. This is
extraordinary for such small fishes, and the mechanism is unknown. This project aims to build on
previous work by (a) further characterizing the homing ability of F. varium, F. lapillum, Notoclinops
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segmentatus and N. caerulepunctus with a range of displacement experiments, and (b) testing whether
olfaction is one of the mechanisms used for homing behaviour. To place homing ability in the context of
normal movement ranges, home range size will be determined during both breeding and non-breeding
seasons for each study species. Triplefins will be tagged using visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags,
which fluoresce under violet light (VI), to allow identification. Displacement experiments to test
maximum homing distance will be carried out in the field at multiple sites with different exposures. A
choice chamber will be used to determine whether captive triplefins can use olfaction to distinguish
between different water masses, and thus discriminate between different locations in order to home.
WHAT DO SETTLEMENT COLLECTORS MEASURE? AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COLLECTOR OF CHOICE,
PRODUCTIVITY AND DIVERSITY IN NATURAL MACROALGAL ASSEMBLAGES: EFFECTS OF NON-RANDOM
SPECIES REMOVALS
Leigh Tait • [email protected]
David Schiel
Macroalgae are the dominant primary producers in coastal New Zealand. They play a vital role in
carbon fixation and provide habitat and nutrients to myriad of associated species. There is considerable
debate in the ecological literature about the relationship between diversity and various forms of
“ecosystem function”, often citing productivity but usually not measuring it. Intertidal macroalgae
form a large proportion of the total marine algal biomass in New Zealand, but data is scarce on their
contribution to wider marine ecosystems. The aim of this research is to understand primary
productivity potential in natural assemblages and the role of species diversity and species composition
on ecosystem function. Research attempting to define the relationship between biodiversity and
primary productivity often applies artificial mesocosm experiments, using every possible combination
of plant/algal species. Random combinations do not necessarily apply to the composition of natural
assemblages and laboratory experiments often neglect natural variation in environmental variables.
With this in mind, an apparatus was designed to analyze in situ primary productivity of natural
macroalgal assemblages. Results show that canopy structure and diversity determine the assemblages’
efficiency to utilize light. Furthermore, the loss of the dominant canopy forming species Hormosira
banksii causes a significant fall in the efficiency of light use. Although biodiversity-function research
often finds no positive relationship between diversity and primary productivity, this research indicates
that in naturally occurring assemblages there is a high degree of complementarity in resource use
leading to a positive relationship between productivity and diversity of randomized artificial
assemblages.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DETERMINING DISPERSAL OF FUCOID ALGAE IN A TURBULENT
ENVIRONMENT
David Taylor • [email protected]
Roger Nokes
Craig Stevens
David Schiel
For intertidal species, the transition phase between the release of propagules by reproductive adults
and successful settlement generally occurs in highly turbulent waters on topographically complex
shores. For fucoid algae, this dispersive phase is complicated by the height above the substratum of
propagule release and the properties of mucus in which propagules are released. We are examining the
density of mucus and eggs released by fucoid algae, and the time that eggs are retained in mucous to
model potential dispersal curves. We have measured the mass densities of mucus and eggs of two
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species of fucoid algae. Mass densities of mucus were species dependent at 1.0241 g/cm3 for Hormosira
banksii and 1.0244 g/cm3 Durvillaea antarctica, but eggs had a greater mass of 1.02513 g/cm3 and 1.0258
g/cm3 respectively. This suggests that depending on the salinity of the nearshore waters into which they
are released (which ranges from about 1.020 to 1.025 g/cm3) eggs will be buoyant in their mucus
initially, but sink once the mucus breaks up. Our research is exploring initial buoyancy and its effects
on the dispersal potential because the density and longevity of mucus surrounding eggs can to vary
between species, and because it appears to play a major role in small scale dispersal. We are also testing
temporal changes in egg viability and competency to settle after they are in suspension. Our results
show that fertilised eggs of D. antarctica, D. willana and H. banksii remain viable to settle (> 90%
remained attached and elongated) even when kept in suspension for 24 hours. However, eggs of
Cystophora torulosa failed to settle successfully after 6 hrs in suspension. These results suggest that
fertilised eggs of some large brown seaweeds have the potential to disperse significant distances and
remain competent to settle when suspended in the nearshore water column.
MARINE FUTURES: OPENING OUR EYES UNDERWATER
Heather Taylor • [email protected]
Neil Blake
Jessica Meeuwig
Securing WAs Marine Futures is a Natural Heritage Trust II funded statewide project, which is
supporting marine resource management by developing marine resource indicators based on an
improved understanding of the relationship between marine habitats, biodiversity and our use of these
values. The project builds on partnerships between marine resource managers, regional natural
resource management (NRM) councils, university researchers and industry. This partnership team has
mapped at fine scale over 1400 km2 of Western Australia’s marine environment from the Abrolhos
Islands to Esperance as well as sampled the State’s benthic, invertebrate and fish communities at over
6000 locations. A major key outcome of the project is the characterization of marine “assets”. Specific
outputs of the project include the series of spatial layers, outlining information on marine habitats (type
and distribution), associated key biodiversity attributes (e.g., fish) and patterns of human uses (e.g.,
fishing pressures). These outputs effectively are opening our eyes underwater by providing a
benchmark of the current state of our marine environment in these locations. This talk will explore how
the partnership approach to both developing and managing a large, multidisciplinary project
contributes to the project’s success. This success can be seen in both implementation of research, both
ecological and social, and in the uptake by resource managers and communities for the better
management of our marine environments.
MARINE MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - A FIELD READY TO EXPLODE AND TO BE EXPLORED
Michael Taylor • [email protected]
Susanne Schmitt
These are exciting times for marine microbiology. Rapid methodological developments over the past
two decades have led to spectacular advances in our understanding of, and our ability to exploit,
microorganisms in the ocean. Microbes span all three domains of life on earth, and their collective
metabolic potential greatly exceeds that of the more familiar marine macro-organisms. It is thus no
accident that marine microbes are coming under ever-increasing scrutiny as potential sources for the
next generation of anti-cancer and anti-microbial compounds. Of particular interest are those
microorganisms associated with eukaryote “hosts” such as seaweeds, bryozoans and sponges. It is now
apparent that at least some of the bioactive metabolites previously ascribed to these organisms are in
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fact produced by symbiotic microbes. Using examples from our own research area of sponge
microbiology, we will emphasise why it is important to understand the fundamental biology of these
host-microbe associations, if we are to truly maximise our gains from a biotechnological perspective. At
present we are only scratching the surface of what marine microbes can offer us, and even better
integration among chemists, microbial ecologists, zoologists and biotechnologists will guarantee a
bright future for this burgeoning field.
TRENDS IN DUSKY DOLPHIN (LAGENORHYNCHUS OBSCURUS) OCCURANCE PATTERNS NEAR
KAIKOURA, NEW ZEALAND: OBSERVATIONS FROM TOUR BOATS 1995-2006
Alex Thompson • [email protected]
In Kaikoura, New Zealand, dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) support a thriving tourism
industry. The dolphin tour operator Encounter Kaikoura has been collecting dusky group locations using
GPS coordinates since October 1995. These data describe the first group of dolphins encountered each
tour, which is not a full indication of the location of all dolphin groups in the Kaikoura area. However,
as the longest continuous record of dusky sightings near Kaikoura, the Encounter Kaikoura dataset
provides a unique opportunity to assess dusky occurrence patterns over several temporal scales.
Despite variance across seasons and years, there is a recurring seasonal pattern. In summer, duskies
occur in near-shore shallow waters, frequently close to the Kaikoura Canyon head. In winter, dolphins
occur farther offshore, often associated with the deeper waters of the Kaikoura Canyon axis and widely
scattered throughout the study area. This onshore/offshore pattern is stable across the 12 years. The
duskies’ distribution along shore, particularly during summer months, changes during the study
period. There is a greater incidence of duskies in the southernmost regions of the study area during the
late 1990s than in later years. Duskies’ affinity for the Kaikoura Canyon may reflect a strategy to
maximize access to prey; duskies in Kaikoura feed at night on the Deep Scattering Layer as it rises to
the surface.
BENTHIC INVADERS IN AUSTRALASIA
Mads Thomsen • [email protected]
Invasions by non-native species is homogenising biotas and is considered a threat to the conservation of
biodiversity. I will provide a brief overview over invasions studies from Australasia, with an emphasis
on experimental 'impact studies'. Data will be presented of an abundant but cryptogenic species from
Western Australia to highlight key aspects of invasions and impacts.
MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURES ON CRUSTACEANS COLLECTED FROM OIL RIGS OFF THE NW SHELF
Murray Thomson • [email protected]
Oil rigs provide hard surfaces for the attachment of sessile organisms which then attract motile animals
and this phenomenon has led to the phrase 'rig to reef' progression. Oil rigs therefore provide an
opportunity to study the deep sea fauna that are attracted to the formation. In this study deep sea
shrimp were collected for light and electron microscopy studies on the structure of their antennulae. A
remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with video camera and manipulator arms was used to lay baited traps
for crustaceans including the shrimp, Heterocarpus sibogae. The antennulae were removed and some
were placed in saline and photographed using light microscope. Others were fixed in glutaraldehyde,
dehydrated, coated in platinum and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Long hose like
aesthetascs that are common to most crustaceans are present on the proximal half of the lateral flagella
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of H. sibogae. Plumose setae with a ball and socket connection were present on the pedicel as were leaf
shaped setae. Tufted setae were present on pedicel spines. Some non-aesthetasc setae on the flagella
articles displayed complex bifurcated tips. The ball and socket articulations of the tufted setae may
provide an attachment that allows circumduct movement of the setae. The diverse array of setae types
may have evolved to allow sensory information gathering including the detection of food sources.
HABITAT USE PATTERNS OF BREEDING WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSSES RELATIVE TO
ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY AND FISHING EFFORT
Leigh Torres • [email protected]
David Thompson
Stuart Bearhop
In New Zealand, white-capped albatross breed principally at the Auckland Islands. Apart from a few
population estimates, little is known about the biology and ecology of this species. However, it is
known that white-capped albatrosses interact with the squid trawl fishery that occurs near the
Auckland Islands, and that relatively large numbers of birds are killed annually. GPS loggers, with
three minute sampling intervals, were deployed on, and recovered from, 19 breeding white-capped
albatross from the Auckland Islands. These tags produced highly-resolved location data during 24
foraging trips. For each GPS point of these foraging trips, we characterized the behaviour state based on
flight speed and sinuosity. To identify environmental characteristics associated with foraging habitat
we compared the habitat use patterns of foraging and non-foraging locations with respect to depth,
bathymetric slope, distance from shelf edge, sea surface temperature, ocean productivity, and wind
speed and direction. A high level of spatial and temporal overlap was revealed between white-capped
albatrosses and fishing effort near the Auckland Island shelf edge, indicating that these two groups
exploit a similar area for prey (squid). Flight speed and direction of travel were used to identify GPS
points where an albatross was likely interacting, not just overlapping, with a fishing vessel. We
compare the rates and habitat characteristics of non-overlap, overlap and interaction points between
white-capped albatrosses and fishing effort, and describe the factors associated with interactions.
IMPACTS ON DEEPSEA CORALS: WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT?
Dianne Tracey • [email protected]
Deepsea corals are potentially under threat with the speed of activity far outstripping our research
pace. Because of the three-dimensional structure afforded by many corals, (certainly the large ones or
when densely aggregated), they are extremely important as they provide a significant habitat for many
others species and are thus anticipated to increase local biodiversity. It is important to determine coral
species distribution their biological characteristics such as age and growth, to ensure appropriate
management. Various taxonomists are involved in describing the New Zealand coral fauna. Specific
identification is the 1st step in our coral research programmes - a complex task because over 490 species
representing the main coral groups are found in the region. There are also projects describing species
composition of corals on seamounts and rocky substratum within the region. Distribution plots will be
shown for protected or proposed to be protected species along with plots of the commonly occurring
matrix forming stony corals (Scleractinia). To determine their vulnerability to human activities,
including changes in ocean acidification, we need to be able to age the coral colonies. A summary of
ageing methodology and results will be presented for bamboo corals (Family Isididae), and future work
on stony coral ageing described. This varied research has helped us improve our knowledge of
biodiversity in the deep-sea, enabled comparisons between and within areas, and provided us with a
better understanding of coral assemblages around New Zealand and what may need protection from
human affects such as fishing or mining.
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NEW CONTINENTAL-SCALE SEABED SEDIMENT MAPS FOR AUSTRALIA AND THEIR APPLICATION FOR
MARINE MANAGEMENT
Maggie Tran • [email protected]
Anna Potter
Christina Baker
Geoscience Australia has collated the most comprehensive quantitative dataset of sediment texture and
composition for Australia's seabed. This dataset comprises > 12,500 seabed samples covering water
depths from the shallow shelf (< 20 m) to the abyssal plain/deep ocean floor (> 4,500 m). Improved data
coverage in specific areas, including the first quantitative textural and compositional data for many
deepwater areas, has produced a continental-wide assessment of seabed sediment types for Australia's
marine region. The new data reveal further detail about the relationships between sediment properties
and geomorphology and bathymetry to characterise benthic habitats. These relationships can be used to
refine models that predict habitat distribution and composition, especially in areas where data are
sparse. Existing detailed local-scale habitat mapping studies can be placed in a regional context and
seabed sediment type and distribution can be assessed at a scale required for marine environmental
planning. The data can be used to identify and map significant seabed features and predict the
distribution of benthic habitats that will be used to help derive a national representative system of
marine protected areas. Assays from the samples are available from Geoscience Australia's marine
samples database, MARS (http://www.ga.gov.au/oracle/mars).
MAPPING GEOMORPHOLOGY, SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND HABITATS RELEVANT TO THE
CONSERVATION OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY AT THE NINGALOO MARINE PARK
Emily Twiggs • [email protected]
Lindsay Collins
Sira Tecchiato
This project forms part of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) Node 3
to support conservation and research relevant to managing the Ningaloo Marine Park. The
research aims to identify evolutionary characteristics significant to the maintenance of marine
biodiversity.
The Quaternary evolution of the reef is being documented using coring, U-series dating and
seismic imaging. GIS mapping using aerial and acoustic remote sensing, alongside video
transects, sediment grabs and benthic sampling will characterise geomorphology, carbonate
sedimentary environments, benthic habitats and coral community assemblages.
Pleistocene foundations played a major role in the establishment of the Holocene reef, and are the
primary physical controls on contemporary geomorphology and associated habitats. There is a strong
transition from photozoan-reef (warm-water/low nutrient) to heterozoan-carbonate ramp (coolwater/elevated nutrient) producers across the shelf. Encrusting coralline algae, coral, macroalgae and
turf algae habitats thrive across geomorphic zones of the back-reef. Preliminary analysis of coral
community structure has defined distinct assemblages within reef flat, lagoonal and reef pass habitats.
On the shallow fore-reef slope there is a veneer of coralgal growth on multiple backstepping spur and
groove systems. Hard corals are rapidly replaced by rhodolith beds at the lower slope to inner shelf,
providing the hard substrate for sessile filter-feeding communities. On the mid to outer shelf, sediment
plains and dunes are interrupted by extensive ridge and pinnacle systems, with exposed surfaces
colonised by prolific sponge, gorgonian and bryozoan “gardens”. These are prevalent near slope
canyons, which are sites of cold water, nutrient-rich upwelling; ideal conditions for cooler-water
carbonate production.
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PREDICTING HABITAT TYPE AND FAUNAL ASSEMBLAGES IN SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
ESTUARIES
Fiona Valesini • [email protected]
This presentation will focus on a quantitative scheme for classifying and predicting local scale
nearshore habitat types that has been developed for a range of estuaries in south-western Australia.
This scheme provides a reliable framework for managers and ecologists to (i) establish benchmarks
against which the impact of future environmental change can be assessed, (ii) investigate how well
differences in habitat type relate to differences in faunal composition, (iii) undertake habitat and faunal
inventories and (iv) predict the habitat type and characteristic fauna of any nearshore site of interest
within those systems. This classification scheme has been based on the use of enduring environmental
criteria that can be easily measured in GIS from mapped data sources such as satellite imagery, aerial
photos and bathymetric charts, and has employed novel applications of relatively new multivariate
routines. The habitat classification scheme, and the relationships between those habitat types and fish
assemblages, will be presented for the Swan Estuary in Perth, Western Australia.
HERBIVORY AND PREDATION AT NINGALOO REEF, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Mat Vanderklift • [email protected]
Russ Babcock
The outcomes of fishing practices that target predators on coral reefs can be complex, and depend on
the intensity of interactions in local food webs, in particular interactions between predators and
herbivores, and between herbivores and macroalgae. We surveyed 48 sites inside and outside 3 marine
sanctuaries along ~100 km of the coast of the Ningaloo Marine Park (Western Australia), with the aim
of quantifying the structure of the coral reef food web and the intensity of the interactions between
trophic levels. We quantified the abundance of fish, large mobile invertebrates and macroalgae, rates of
grazing on macroalgae and rates of predation on sea urchins and gastropods. The abundance of
herbivorous fish (especially scarids, acanthurids and pomacentrids), and of the herbivorous sea urchin
Echinometra mathaei, was high in fished and unfished areas. Rates of grazing on the macroalgae
Lobophora and Sargassum did not vary consistently between fished and unfished areas, and typically
exceeded 40% d-1. Observations suggested that E. mathaei fed on fragments of drifting algae. Rates of
predation also did not vary consistently between fished and unfished areas. E. mathaei were preyed
upon heavily, especially by the large predatory wrasse Coris aygula. Gastropods (the corallivorous
Drupella and the herbivorous Tectus) were infrequently preyed upon. Along the Ningaloo Reef, the
abundance of herbivores is high and rates of herbivory are correspondingly intense. Neither appear to
be influenced by current rates of fishing pressure.
HIGH RESOLUTION MEASUREMENTS OF SECONDARY CIRCULATION ALONG A CURVED TIDAL
CHANNEL
Ross Vennell • [email protected]
Secondary flows occur in river bends, in the curved flow around headlands, within eddies, as well as in
stirred coffee cups. Secondary flows transport sediment to the inside of channel bends, enhance cross
stream dispersion and cause upwelling at headlands. The weakness of secondary flows makes them
difficult to measure in the field. High horizontal resolution moving vessel ADCP observations from the
Otago Harbour channel are presented. The measurements show velocities up to 10 cm s-1 radially
outward surface and inwards near the bottom with a zero crossing at mid-water depth, consistent with
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helical secondary flow. The measurements are from a 2700 m long section of the 350 m wide channel
with a radius of curvature of 1 km to 5 km. The measurements not only resolve the secondary flow but
also how its intensity varies along the channel as a result of the changing curvature. This is done by
treating the measured cross-stream shear as a data set and exploiting Radial Basis Function
interpolation to smooth the shears. The observations show a strong linear correlation between the
observed cross-channel component of vertical shear and the shear estimated from the streamwise
velocity and its varying curvature using an existing analytic model. The observed curvature induced
secondary flow is 50% more intense than that predicted by the model. Lagged correlation of the
observations showed that the secondary flow adapts to changes in curvature and primary flow over a
300 m length scale, or 20 water depths, consistent with the existing model and laboratory studies.
REDOX TRANSITION OF DISTURBED SURFACE SEDIMENT: THE ROLE OF DISTURBANCE DEPTH AND
SEAWATER FLOW
Kay Vopel • [email protected]
Conrad Pilditch
A common feature of aquatic environments is disruption of surface sediment by bioturbation. When
exposed to oxygenated seawater, the disrupted sediment undergoes a transition towards a stable state
with respect to distributions of redox active compounds. Despite its importance for the ecology of the
sediment-water interface, the transition dynamics are not well known. We studied the effects of flow
speed and depth of disruption on the redox transition of estuarine cohesive sediment in a laboratory
flume using microelectrodes. We removed surface sediment to two depths and then observed changes
in sediment oxygen distribution and consumption over 1 h under conditions of slow and fast flow.
Measurements were repeated one day later. Our results indicate that flow speed influenced the
oxidation of sediment disrupted to 50 but not 5 mm depth. After 20-24 h, the two sediment treatments
differed with respect to the distribution and consumption of oxygen and both were still different from
pre-treatment values. Moreover, the extent to which the pore water distribution of oxygen changed in
response to increasing flow speed also varied with sediment treatment. We will discuss implication of
these findings for the ecology of coastal soft sediments habitats.
COLONISATION OF FREMANTLE HARBOUR AND COCKBURN SOUND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA BY THE
EASTERN AUSTRALIAN SCALLOP SCAEOCHLAMYS LIVIDA
Fred Wells • [email protected]
Hugh Morrison
The eastern Australian scallop Scaeochlamys livida is recorded from Cockburn Sound and Fremantle
Harbour, Western Australia. It was first found in Cockburn Sound in the 1980s and is now a permanent
part of the molluscan fauna of both areas and also the adjacent open coast. While 59 species are known
to have been introduced to WA from overseas, this is the first example of a marine introduction to WA
from eastern Australia. Where it occurs, S. livida appears to have replaced the native Mimachlamys
asperrimus.
HABITAT USE AND MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF THE BULL SHARK, CARCHARHINUS LEUCAS, IN THE
GOLD COAST CANAL SYSTEM
Jonathan Werry • [email protected]
Understanding the value of urban coastal habitats to the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, is crucial for
ensuring a balance between sustainable development of our coastal zones and the conservation needs
of this potentially dangerous species. In this study, we used acoustic technologies to determine the
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patterns of broad-scale habitat use and the movements of bull sharks that remain in or return to
particular areas within the Gold Coast canal system. Twenty-four bull sharks were tagged with acoustic
'pingers' between February 2007 and March 2008 and in excess of 100,000 detections were obtained
from ten receivers strategically placed in the natural and artificial components of the system. Neonates
(61 to 67.5 cm fork length (FL), n = 12) spent the majority of their time in the top reaches of the Nerang
River in salinity ranges of 6 to 18 ppt, making small excursions into adjoining flow-through canals with
matching salinities. Juveniles (70 to 98 cm FL, n = 9) and sub-adults (122 to 140 cm FL, n = 3) ranged
further but most detections occurred in the main river channel. Short-term continuous tracking (day
and night) of three juveniles and one sub-adult showed that these sharks remained in specific sections
of the waterway (1 to 3 km long) before moving distances of up to 9 km within a 6 to 12 hr period.
Whilst these findings support the notion that bull sharks can use modified natural freshwater and low
saline environments as juveniles, they also suggest that man made canal systems are not preferred
habitats for this species.
PHYLOGENETICS OF BLUE MUSSELS (GENUS MYTILUS) IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: ON THE
ORIGINS OF MYTILUS IN NEW ZEALAND.
Kristen Westfall • [email protected]
Jonathan Gardner
Blue mussels of the genus Mytilus are one of the most common and widely distributed mussel types in
the world, found in all major seas and oceans. The Mytilus edulis species complex includes three sibling
species; Mytilus galloprovincialis, Mytilus trossulus and Mytilus edulis. In New Zealand the dominant
species is Mytilus galloprovincialis. Earlier investigations into the origin of Mytilus species in the
southern hemisphere, based on mitochondrial DNA phylogenetic reconstructions, revealed a major
trans-Atlantic migration event from the north to south in the early Pleistocene, and a possible
secondary migration event of unknown timing. DNA sequence data from the strictly maternally
inherited mitochondrial DNA female genome is preferred for species tree reconstruction within the
genus Mytilus. This study reconstructs the phylogenetic history of southern hemisphere blue mussels
with special attention to New Zealand populations using two mitochondrial genes; (1) the highly
conserved ribosomal RNA 16s gene and, (2) the less conserved protein coding cytochrome oxidase
subunit III gene. Phylogenetic trees derived from two genes with different mutational properties may
reduce discordance among single gene tree topologies to represent a more accurate topology.
Coalescence calculations will be used to infer the divergence times of populations and/or lineages on
several geographic scales. The data from New Zealand Mytilus populations will be presented in the
context of other southern hemisphere populations and within the context of worldwide Mytilus
populations.
A HISTOCHEMICAL APPROACH TO NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH: DE NOVO BIOSYNTHESIS OF
TYRIAN PURPLE IN DICATHAIS ORBITA (NEOGASTROPODA: MURICIDAE)
Chantel Westley • [email protected]
Kirsten Benkendorff
A wealth of information exists on the composition and biosynthesis of Tyrian purple from
prochromogens within the muricid hypobranchial gland. However, little is known on the biosynthetic
origin and regulatory processes governing prochromogen and bioactive intermediate synthesis. As an
alternative to radioisotopes, novel histochemical techniques for bromoperoxidase and the
prochromogen, tyrindoxyl sulphate, were applied along with stains for the indole precursor tryptophan
and arylsulphatase. Of the eight hypobranchial gland cell types which occur in Dicathais orbita, three
contribute to dye genesis and two sites of prochromogen synthesis were identified. Dietary tryptophan
is endocytosed by rectum epithelial cells and stored within secretory cells of the lateral hypobranchial
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epithelium, while bromoperoxidase is sourced from the rectal gland and concentrated by ciliated
hypobranchial supportive cells. Upon exocytosis, ciliary action unites tryptophan with
bromoperoxidase to facilitate tyrindoxyl sulphate synthesis. Synthesis also occurs in the subepithelial
vascular sinus for storage by medial hypobranchial cells. Hydrolysis of tyrindoxyl sulphate and
subsequent bioactive intermediate genesis on the epithelial surface is regulated by arylsulphatase
liberation from adjacent supportive cells. Tryptophan, bromoperoxidase and tyrindoxyl sulphate are
also transported within the vascular sinus to the capsule gland where arylsulphatase occurs. This
histochemical approach has revealed that Tyrian purple prochromogens are de novo biosynthesized in
a constitutive and controlled manner through the post-translational bromination of dietary tryptophan.
The prochromogen and its biosynthetic constituents also appear to be incorporated into egg capsules as
a form of maternal investment. These findings not only imply a naturally selected function for Tyrian
purple precursors, but provide the location of biosynthetic tissues, which will undoubtedly aid the
development of muricid natural products as therapeutic agents.
HIGH SYMBIODINIUM DIVERSITY AT ENVIRONMENTALLY-VARIABLE HIGH-LATITUDE REEF SITES - A
MEANS OF SURVIVAL IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
Laura Wicks • [email protected]
Eugenia Sampayo
Simon Davy
The ability of coral reefs to survive is shaped by the stability and flexibility of their symbiotic
relationship with microalgae (zooxanthellae) of the genus Symbiodinium. Coral systems present at high
latitudes seasonally undergo significant variations in temperature and light, and thus the corals and
symbionts present must be adapted to deal with these marginal variable conditions. Despite these
potential adaptations, little is known about the diversity of Symbiodinium at high-latitude coral
systems, and gaining insights into this diversity may help us understand how coral-algal associations
can persist in these marginal environments. To investigate this, the most common coral species were
sampled from two high-latitude sites in the South Pacific, the Kermadec Islands (29°S), New Zealand,
and Lord Howe Island (31°S), Australia. Symbiont diversity was characterized using PCR and
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of the ITS2 region. Most corals associated with cladeC Symbiodinium, with multiple sub-clades being found in different colonies of the same coral species,
and often simultaneously within the same colony. Symbionts also varied both in relation to depth and
location, suggesting the presence of environmentally-specialised types. Additionally, at least six of the
symbionts represent previously unreported sub-clades, highly divergent from symbionts occurring on
the nearby Great Barrier Reef. The common occurrence of multiple symbiont types within a single host
species at these high latitude sites may be indicative of the potential of these corals to shuffle their
symbionts in order to better adapt to the variable environmental conditions. Furthermore, this capacity
may provide a mechanism for limiting the impacts of climate change, so offering protection for corals at
these otherwise 'marginal' sites.
QUANTIFYING ANTHROPOGENIC NUTRIENT IMPACTS IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR INFORMED
MANAGEMENT
Karen Wild-Allen • [email protected]
Peter Thompson
John Volkman
Australian coastal development proceeds at record rates placing unprecedented pressures on coastal
ecosystems to assimilate domestic and industrial waste. The impacts of multiple and diffuse sources of
nutrients can be cryptic as they are often rapidly redistributed by tides and currents and quickly
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assimilated by phytoplankton and macrophytes. Dispersal and uptake of nutrients in coastal waters
confounds a true perception of their impact and optimal management, which can compromise water
quality and ecosystem health. Using high resolution 3D biogeochemical models validated against
observations, it is now possible to quantify spatial and temporal impacts of anthropogenic nutrient
loads on coastal ecosystems and inform management. In southeast Tasmania, modelled present and
projected nutrient impacts from the expanding salmon farming industry have been instrumental in
management of the industry and design of a monitoring program. Simulation of the Derwent Estuary
has for the first time demonstrated the spatial and temporal impact of sewerage and industrial loads on
water quality. In South Australia, preliminary model results suggest tuna ranching has had
environmental effects on both pelagic and benthic ecosystems. Coastal biogeochemical modelling is
presented as a tool for quantitative evaluation and optimization of management and monitoring
strategies which can help to minimize anthropogenic impacts and accommodate increasing coastal
development.
METAL CHELATING RESINS: A USEFUL TOOL FOR FIELD ASSESSMENT OF METAL BIOAVAILABILITY
Emma Wilkie • [email protected]
Tony Roach
Brendan Kelaher
In marine sediment, metals chemically partition between aqueous and particulate phases, which
determines their bioavailability to marine benthic invertebrates. Laboratory based Toxicity
Identification Evaluations (TIE) aim to determine which metal species are more bioavailable, and hence
toxic. A novel TIE procedure utilizes metal chelating resins which have been successfully used to
discriminate bioavailability and toxicity of pore water metals and sediment bound metals by adsorbing
and isolating all pore water metals and significantly reducing metal toxicity to marine amphipods. The
use of resins in manipulating metal bioavailability in situ, enabling field experiments using benthic
assemblages remained unknown. We tested the hypothesis that, in the field, as in the laboratory, metal
chelating resin SIR300 would enable discrimination of bioavailable metals to a benthic community. We
established containers of highly, moderately and uncontaminated sediments and added SIR300 resin to
50% of containers of each sediment type. We predicted resin would reduce pore water metal
concentrations significantly more in highly contaminated sediment than uncontaminated sediment,
resulting in differences of macroinvertebrate recruitment between the two. In contrast to our
predictions, the resin significantly increased pore water metal concentrations in highly contaminated
sediments. Macroinvertebrate richness and the abundances of certain invertebrate groups were
significantly lower in treatments with than without resin, irrespective of contamination. The results
demonstrate the importance of corroborating laboratory toxicity tests with field studies, and indicate
further development of this method is required to improve its application potential in situ.
THE INFLUENCE OF FRESHWATER FLOW ON SALT-WEDGE DYNAMICS AND FISHERIES PRODUCTIVITY
IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES
Joel Williams • [email protected]
Steve Swearer
Jeremy Hindell
Over the past decade there has been a dramatic decrease in rainfall due to the changing climate. This
has resulted in less freshwater flowing from the catchments into the estuarine habitats. Freshwater flow
into estuaries is important as it controls the extent and dynamics of the freshwater-saltwater interface
(salt-wedge), which is a region of high productivity critical to the survival of early life stages of fish and
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invertebrates. It is of major concern that there is little knowledge of how freshwater flow impacts the
productivity of estuaries. In this study I aimed to determine the impact of freshwater flow events on the
production, survival and growth of several key fishery species including black bream, Acanthopagrus
butcheri, estuary perch, Macquaria colonorum and Australian anchovy, Engraulis australis antipodum. In
the spring/summer of 2007 I used oblique plankton tows to determine the location and timing of
spawning events in relation to the physico-chemical structure of the salt-wedge. During late September
estuary perch began to spawn high up the Mitchell River within salinities ranging from 10–14 ppt.
Bream began spawning in the Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo rivers in early October when the salinity
and temperature had risen to 17 ppt and 18 °C respectively. Bream and anchovy spawning peaked in
late October when the salt-wedge was highly stratified and well up the rivers. Eggs that were spawned
in waters with greater than 50% dissolved oxygen waters appeared to be healthier than those spawned
in water with less than 50% dissolved oxygen. These results suggest that salinity and temperature, and
consequently freshwater flows control the location and timing of spawning events in the Gippsland
Lakes.
MARINE INCURSION INVESTIGATION IN NEW ZEALAND
Rissa Williams • [email protected]
Under Part 4, section 44 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, New Zealander's have a duty to inform the
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ), if they suspect an exotic
disease, pest or new organism is in New Zealand. Notification can come from a number of sources,
including industry (e.g. port authorities and aquaculture), scientists and researchers, the general public
or from other government agencies (e.g. the Department of Conservation or Ministry of Fisheries).
Reports concerning marine incursions are managed by the MAFBNZ Animals and Marine Incursion
Investigation Team. Once notification has occurred, an investigation process is kicked off in order to
assess the credibility of the information, verify the identification of the organism, ascertain how the
organism entered the country (pathways), where it may have been and where it may spread (tracing),
together with any urgent measures required to stop further spread. A rapid risk report is prepared
taking into account the above factors as well as quickly assessing what impacts the organism may have
on New Zealand, with recommendations for any further action that may be required. This report is
presented to the MAFBNZ Post Border Response Group to assess whether further action is required,
and in particular, whether to initiate a response. This talk aims to clarify the process around incursion
investigation and also provide some insight into the legislation we work under, specifically the
Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996.
AUSTRALIA'S INTEGRATED MARINE OBSERVING SYSTEM AUV FACILITY
Stefan Williams • [email protected]
Oscar Pizarro
Ian Mahon
Matthew Johnson-Roberson
This paper presents the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Facility of Australia's Integrated
Marine Observing System (IMOS). The University of Sydney's Australian Centre for Field Robotics
(ACFR) operates the ocean going AUV Sirius capable of undertaking high resolution, seabed survey
work. The submersible is equipped with a full suite of oceanographic instruments, including a highresolution stereo camera pair and strobes, a multibeam sonar, depth and conductivity/temperature
sensors, Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) including a compass with integrated roll and pitch sensors, Ultra
Short Baseline Acoustic Positioning System (USBL) and forward looking obstacle avoidance sonar. As
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part of the establishment of the AUV Facility, IMOS will support deployment of the Sirius AUV which
will be made available to scientists on a competitive basis in order to assist marine projects in Australia.
We have operated the AUV on two major cruises in 2007. A series of trials were undertaken in
collaboration with scientist from AIMS to assess benthic habitats off the Ningaloo Reef, WA in May.
These trials were aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of using an AUV for conducting biodiversity
assessment in waters beyond diver depths. The particular focus of these deployments was on
documenting sponge habitats in 40 m to 80 m depths and in exploring canyons in depths up to 250 m.
The AUV was also part of a three week research cruise in September aboard the R/V Southern Surveyor
documenting drowned shelf edge reefs at multiple sites in four areas along the Great Barrier Reef. We
were able to document relic reefs up to 20k years old formed during previous ice ages when sea leves
were up to 100 m lower than today.
CHARACTERISATION OF THE BIOFILM FORMATION OF THE PENNATE DIATOM PHAEODACTYLUM
TRICORNUTUM
Anusuya Willis • [email protected]
Tony Dugdale
Richard Wetherbee
Diatoms are marine unicellular micro-algae (Bacillariophyceae, Ochrophyta) that are among the most
successful microbiological colonizers of submerged substrata. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a model
organism for studying diatom biology. P. tricornutum is a small polymorphic diatom of which the ovoid
morphotype adheres and secretes a mucilaginous adhering film on the substrata. In this study the
secretion of the mucilage and biofilm formation was monitored over seven days by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), light microscopy (LM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). During the first 24
hours SEM and LM images initially showed many small adhesive tethers secreted from the girdle
region of the ovoid cell adhering them to the substrata. After seven days the gradual accumulation of
these mucilage secretions created a homogeneous layer on the substrata, the mucilage of the biofilm
appeared in longer and thicker strands, a network covering the substrata surface and the cells. Forcemode AFM measures the nanomechanical properties (strength, elasticity and relative size of adhesion)
of individual adhesive molecules from living cells in hydrated conditions. Secreted adhesive mucilage
on the cell-surface revealed a regular saw-tooth pattern typical of the unfolding of a modular protein.
The 24-hour biofilm showed sticky mucilage with short adhesive molecules, while the seven-day
biofilm was less adhesive but when adhesion did occur the molecules were larger and more strongly
adhered. This combination of microscopy techniques has resulted in a comprehensive characterization
of the formation and physical properties of the biofilm of P. tricornutum increasing our understanding
of this important diatom.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ZOOPLANKTON IN THE ARCTIC: STUDIES IN AN OCEAN LABORATORY
Kate Willis • [email protected]
The impacts of climate change are clearly apparent in the Arctic with rapidly rising temperatures and
declining sea ice extent. Climate change is also influencing ocean circulation and hydrographic regimes,
which will ultimately lead to a restructuring of Arctic zooplankton communities. The Arctic
zooplankton fauna is characterized by low biomass and low production. With continuing climate
change and strengthening of the Atlantic inflow into the Arctic Ocean, small warm water zooplankton
species will predominate in the future, with consequent changes in productivity, sedimentation rates of
biogenic material, and impacts on higher trophic levels. Kongsfjorden is a glacial fjord on the northwest
coast of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago that is influenced by water masses of Atlantic and
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Arctic origin. The fjord is characterized by intense and rapid changes in hydrography, shifting from an
Arctic to an Atlantic water dominated system in a matter of days. The zooplankton in the fjord is
comprised of co-occurring boreal and Arctic species, which respond to variations in the distribution
and dynamics of the West Spitsbergen water masses. A sediment trap deployed at a depth of 100 m on
a long-term hydrographic mooring in the outer basin of Kongsfjorden is providing year-round time
series on zooplankton populations and sedimentation rates in the fjord. Changes in zooplankton
community composition and sedimentation rates are closely associated with influxes of Arctic and
Atlantic water into the fjord, providing an insight into the structure and functioning of Arctic
ecosystems in the future as predicted in climate change scenarios.
TRACING THE GLOBAL SPREAD OF CAPRELLA MUTICA USING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA
Kate Willis • [email protected]
Gail Ashton
Mark Stevens
In the last 40 years the global distribution of the marine amphipod Caprella mutica has expanded rapidly
beyond its native range in northeast Asia. Numerous populations are now present in Europe and along
both coasts of North America. The caprellid is now also beginning its advance along the New Zealand
coastline. We used the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI gene) to compare genetic variation in
native and non-native populations of C. mutica and investigate the species' invasion history. Genetic
diversity was reduced (7 haplotypes) in the non-native populations, compared to the native
populations (31 haplotypes). The analysis indicated that several introductions from multiple sources
are likely to be responsible for the global distribution of C. mutica. C. mutica were introduced
independently to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, and the presence of two dominant
haplotypes in eastern and western Atlantic populations indicates numerous dispersal routes within the
Atlantic. None of the populations sampled in the native range could be identified as the direct source of
the non-native populations.
DIVERSITY OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY IN SURFACE-ATTACHED MARINE BACTERIA
George Wilson • [email protected]
David Raftos
Sham Nair
Marine bacteria that grow on biotic and abiotic surfaces in the marine environment are surface attached
marine bacteria. These bacteria grow in complex communities called biofilms. Surface attached marine
bacteria can produce molecules that can inhibit the attachment, growth and survival of competing
strains. The most common type of inhibitory molecules are antibacterial, and these can be classified as
secondary metabolites or antibacterial proteins. This study investigates the diversity of antibacterial
activity in terms of induction and action of antibacterial molecules produced by surface attached
bacteria. Full length sequencing of 16S rDNA gene showed the majority of the cultured isolates were
contained in the Vibrio (61.5%), Pseudoalteromonas (20.2%) and Shewanella clade (10.6%). Antibacterial
well diffusion assay showed that 10 of the 104 marine isolated displayed antibacterial activity in shaken
liquid culture. Five of the strains were Pseudoalteromonas and 5 had no match to a known genus. Eight
of the ten antibacterial isolates displayed highly potent antibacterial activity. Experiments undertaken
to mimic native conditions showed competition and cultivation conditions can affect antibiotic
production. Cultivation in an artificial biofilm showed 14 of the 104 marine isolates displayed
antibacterial activity. Only one of these isolates displayed activity in shaken liquid and biofilm cultures
demonstrating cultivation induced antibacterial activity. The biofilm induced antibacterial molecules
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displayed higher antibacterial activity in biofilms suggesting surface attached marine isolates can tailor
there antibacterial activity in response to their surrounding environment to give a competitive
advantage.
FOOD WEB AND POPULATION STRUCTURE IN FIORDLAND: IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL
MANAGEMENT OF THE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM
Stephen Wing • [email protected]
The landscape of Fiordland and its pristine forested catchments provide an extant example of a
relatively undisturbed coastal ecosystem. Ecological studies from a 10 year research programme on
population structure of marine invertebrates and fishes as well as on food web structure among the
fjords have provided an important context in which to assess human impacts and inform management
decision making in the region. Marine habitats of the inner fjords are divided among a series of basins
each with distinct transport patterns, likely dominated by estuarine circulation. The resulting limitation
on larval dispersal may isolate populations within some fjords. Examples are given for several benthic
invertebrates with evidence from genetic studies and from direct observations of population dynamics.
Strong physical gradients between the wave swept outer coast and the inner fjord catchments influence
the composition of carbon sources to benthic food webs. Studies using stable isotope tracers have
indicated that organic matter from recycled forest litter forms an abundant source of carbon for benthic
food webs in the inner fjords. Population structure of sea urchins (Evechinus chloroticus) provides an
important example for the influence of both transport patterns and strong gradients in benthic
productivity on metapopulation structure. This example and other ecological studies are considered in
the context of the Fiordland Marine Management Act 2005 and formal establishment of spatial
management of biodiversity and fisheries in the region.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF AN INVASIVE ALGA AT DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL LEVELS
Jeffrey Wright • [email protected]
Paul Gribben
Habitat-forming invasive marine species may be predicted to have positive effects at a community level
when they provide additional habitat to a structurally simple environment but negative effects at an
individual and population-level through modification of environmental factors that impact life-history
and demographic traits. Here, we present data examining the response of native soft-sediment
invertebrates at these different ecological levels to invasion by the green alga Caulerpa taxifolia. At a
community-level, total species richness and abundance were similar in C. taxifolia and uninvaded
habitats (seagrass and unvegetated sediment). However, assemblages were very different between
habitats: C. taxifolia had a high abundance of epifauna but a low abundance of infauna; seagrass
typically had a high abundance of both epifauna and infauna; while unvegetated sediment had a low
abundance of epifauna but a high abundance of infauna. For the most abundant species of infaunal
bivalve, fitness-related life-history traits (condition, growth and reproduction) declined in juveniles and
adults transplanted into C. taxifolia compared to uninvaded habitat. The decline in these traits resulted
in a much lower survivorship and greater vulnerability to stochastic environmental perturbation in that
habitat. Our results highlight the breadth of ecological effects likely to occur following invasion by
habitat-forming species. Moreover, we propose that negative effects on infauna and positive effects on
epifauna may be a general outcome of invasion by habitat-forming macrophytes into soft-sediment
marine environments.
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COASTAL ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS AND EUTROPHICATION IN THE PEARL RIVER SSTUARINE COASTAL
WATERS (CHINA)
Kedong Yin • [email protected]
Eutrophication is a major threat to marine coastal ecosystems as a result of over enrichment of
nutrients. However, the degree and symptoms of eutrophication (ecosystem responses) vary widely
among various estuaries, as some estuarine coastal ecosystems have a buffering capacity to
accommodate additions of anthropogenic nutrients. The Pearl River is the 2nd largest in China, and
discharges into the oligotrophic South China Sea. Therefore, the Pearl River (PR) estuarine influence
plays a dominant role in determining nutrient concentrations and eutrophication processes in the Pearl
River estuary and adjacent coastal waters (PREC). The Pearl River is highly enriched in nitrogen (N).
However, eutrophication symptoms such as phytoplankton biomass, harmful algal blooms and low
dissolved oxygen in bottom waters are not as severe as expected from high N. Two major regulating
mechanisms that are responsible for this buffering capacity: physical dilution and P limitation to
phytoplankton. Seasonal monsoons and river discharge are major physical drivers whose induced
processes serve as a flushing mechanism for the PREC. N:P ratio is much higher than the Redfield ratio
of 16:1 and P is low in the River. Low P likely places a limit to primary production and also subsequent
consumption of dissolved oxygen in bottom waters. This study provides a good example of P limited
ecosystems in subtropical marine waters compared to N limited ecosystems in temperate waters. The
understanding of these regulating mechanisms is important for coastal sustainable development for the
PREC region and other coastal waters receiving excessive nutrients from large rivers.
IDENTIFYING AND SELECTING FOR GENES PROMOTING HIGH GROWTH IN THE TROPICAL ABALONE
HALIOTIS ASININA
Sol York • [email protected]
Scott Cummins
Sandie Degnan
Bernard Degnan
The abalone Haliotis asinina is an emerging tropical aquaculture species that exhibits the fastest growth
of any abalone species. Despite the established commercial significance and high value of abalone meat,
there is currently only limited knowledge of the genetic mechanisms underlying growth in these
gastropod molluscs. However, information about the molecular regulation of growth does exist for
closely related gastropods, in particular the sea slug Aplysia californica and the pulmonate snail Lymnaea
stagnalis. Also, the limpet Lottia gigantea genome has been sequenced recently. Existing knowledge,
along with studies of gene and protein expression in Haliotis neurosecretory tissue, will be used to
identify and characterise hormone-encoding and growth-regulating genes. As such, this study will
identify genetic factors relating to growth in abalone, examine tissue specificity of gene expression, and
analyse the variation in gene expression levels between fast and slow growing livestock. We intend to
develop a simple gene expression assay using reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR on an abalone
foot muscle punch biopsy. Comparison of gene expression profiles from individual abalone will allow
the selection of broodstock that exhibit advantageous levels of growth-related gene expression. This
will enable targeted selective breeding to produce fast-growing strains of abalone, and potentially save
years of trial and error. Additional future applications of data from this study include commercial
abalone hormone production for active growth promotion in livestock, and also target genes for genetic
enhancement.
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ENSO AND RIVERINE CONTROL OF NUTRIENT LOADING, PHYTOPLANKTON BIOMASS AND MUSSEL
AQUACULTURE YIELD IN PELORUS SOUND, NEW ZEALAND
John Zeldis • [email protected]
Clive Howard-Williams
David Schiel
Multi-year time-series were used to study dynamics of oceanic and riverine nutrient supply and
primary biomass formation in Pelorus Sound, a 50 km - long estuary supporting most of New Zealand's
$200 M p.a. mussel (Perna canaliculus) aquaculture industry. In the summer half-year (October through
March), the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), along-shelf wind stress and sea surface temperature (SST)
at the entrance to the Sound were correlated, such that when SOI was negative (El Niño) NNW wind
stress strengthened and SST at the Sound entrance cooled, indicating upwelling. This triggered
increases in phytoplankton, particulate nitrogen (PN, or seston) and per-capita yield of farmed mussels
in the Sound. In the winter half-year (April through September), wind stress was unrelated to SOI, but
correlated with Pelorus river flows, such that during NNW winds river flow increased, which increased
NO3-, phytoplankton, PN and mussel yield. These behaviours were pronounced during a period of
extended positive SOI (La Niña) and decreased river flows between 1999 and 2003 when mussel yield
decreased by ~25% throughout Pelorus Sound. Yield recovered after 2003 without reduced farming
intensity, indicating that over-grazing by mussels did not cause the yield minimum and that it was
underlain by climatic variation in oceanic and riverine N supply and seston biomass. In Pelorus Sound
oceanic and riverine N supplies are seasonally complementary and sustain mussel yield year-around,
although their inter-annual variability, linked to wider climate forcing, can drive considerable
fluctuation in yield over the decadal-scale.
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Abstracts for Poster Presentations
IS THERE A FUTURE FOR CANTERBURY COCKLE BEDS?
Suzanne Adkins • [email protected]
Islay Marsden
Occurring throughout New Zealand in variable sized populations Austrovenus stutchburyi (the little
neck clam), is recognized as an important food source for both humans and other species. Apart from
the Avon-Heathcote estuary (and to a much lesser degree Port Levy) little is currently known about
cockle populations in the Canterbury area. This study has surveyed a number of cockle beds in the
Canterbury region to establish population structure and bivalve density as part of a PhD project
investigating potential enhancement of shellfish bed productivity and establishment of protocols and
techniques for use in shellfish bed restoration. Over harvesting has been broached as a possible reason
for population declines, but a bed that has been closed to harvesting for several years shows low but
stable population densities. This suggests that other factors, such as contaminants, disease, and
predation as well as nutrient availability and quality may have impacts. With increasing development
of aquaculture in Pegasus Bay and Banks Peninsula there is concern about the sustainability of local
cockle beds, because the effects of aquaculture on nearshore communities is not well understood
worldwide. The poster presents the population structure and density of cockles from 8 sites from
January 2006 through to October 2007. These data show the populations to be highly variable indicating
irregular recruitment success with low numbers of small (juvenile) individuals supporting the picture
of populations in decline. Habitat characteristics may be affecting sustainability are also presented as
well as the results of a transplant experiment carried out from November 2007 to March 2008.
HYDROACOUSTIC ASSESSMENT OF FISH DISTRIBUTION AND SEABED TYPE IN THE DAMPIER
ARCHIPELAGO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Jonathan Alawo • [email protected]
Hydroacoustic data were collected with a 200 kHz, 6° split-beam Biosonics DTx echosounder device
around Delambre Island, Nickol Bay and Dixon Island in the Dampier Achipelago, Western Australia.
The data were analysed to estimate the number (Fish Per Unit Area), density (Fish Per Cubic Metre)
and size distribution (Target Strength) of fish within the survey area. The species composition was
investigated by SCUBA diving, gill-net fishing and underwater video of the seabed concurrently with
the hydroacoustic survey. Information embedded within the return signal of the acoustic pulse was
decoded with bottom-typing software in order to identify the composition of the seabed. The study
demonstrates the utilisation of hydroacoustics as a tool to quantify fish biomass and size distribution,
as well as illustrating the potential of using acoustics to enhance traditional sampling procedures.
INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF HEAVY METALS ON CRITICAL NUTRIENT (CARBON AND
NITROGEN) CYCLING PROCESSES WITHIN A MULTI-USE ESTUARY
Jo Banks • [email protected]
Accumulation of heavy metals in estuarine soft-sediments is a common form of coastal pollution,
threatening the diversity and persistence of biota. The Derwent Estuary in Tasmania, southeast
Australia, has several major sources of industrial and urban contamination. This study explores
differences in benthic communities across a range of sites within the estuary in terms of physical and
chemical parameters, with particular reference to heavy metal contamination. Within sediments heavy
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metals are partitioned between aqueous (pore water, overlying water) and solid phases (sediment,
suspended particulate mater and biota). Traditionally, toxicity was assessed by analysing heavy metal
concentrations within bulk sediment samples, including fractions bound within the sediment that are
likely to be biologically unavailable. Research has shown that contaminant concentrations in pore water
are more closely related to toxicity, but that geochemical changes can lead to the remobilisation of
metals from the solid phase to the aqueous rendering them potentially more bioavailable. A relatively
new technique, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) provides a measurement of this kinetically labile
solid phase pool. My poster will outline results from a pilot study comparing DGT, porewater and
whole sediment measurements, exploring vertical profiles of metals and assessing DGT loading
kinetics. Initial results from a baseline correlative experiment using the DGT devices to measure the
flux of metals within sediments and relating those results to a number of physical, chemical and
biological variables are provided along with details of an upcoming experiment investigating the
effects of changing dissolved oxygen conditions on metal lability.
THE ECOLOGY OF AN INTRODUCED FISH, THE AUSTRALIAN OYSTER BLENNY, OMOBRANCHUS
ANOLIUS, IN WAITEMATA HARBOUR.
Jeremy Barker • [email protected]
Lindsey White
The introduction of non-indigenous marine species into New Zealand potentially poses a serious threat
to our natural biological diversity. One recently introduced species, the Australian oyster blenny,
Omobranchus anolius, was first recorded from the outer Waitemata Harbour in 2003; since this date it has
spread and is now recognised from throughout Waitemata Harbour, and inner Hauraki Gulf. This
species has a strong association with another invasive the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, and within
this habitat can reach high densities. New data are presented on the distribution, ecology and density of
this species throughout Waitemata Harbour, and on mechanisms for its dispersal.
SALTWATER PASPALUM IN THE WAIKATO REGION
Catherine Beard • [email protected]
Saltwater Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is a salt-tolerant, stoloniferous perennial grass native to North
and South America. It is widely recognised as a serious invasive pest of saline habitats (particularly in
sheltered estuaries, tidal lagoons and creeks). Saltwater Paspalum is naturalised in New Zealand and is
now beginning to expand rapidly in many upper North Island estuarine wetlands. It poses a threat, not
only to native biodiversity but also to ecosystem structure and function. Environment Waikato
manages an ongoing estuarine vegetation monitoring programme in select estuaries around the
Waikato Region. Recent data shows that coverage of saltwater Paspalum is increasing in all monitored
estuaries, and in some, alarmingly so. For example, Paspalum coverage in Otahu estuary has increased
by around 160% over the last decade, and is now seriously threatening the valued ecological diversity
of this area. Environment Waikato recognises saltwater Paspalum as an environmental pest and has
Strategic objectives in place to reduce the species to zero density in the Region's west coast harbours.
However, given our recent knowledge of the rapid expansion of this species (particularly in
Coromandel estuaries), it is now obvious that more widespread control measures should be
undertaken.
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STOMACH CONTENTS OF LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES, GLOBICEPHALA MELAS, MASS-STRANDED
ON FAREWELL SPIT, GOLDEN BAY, BETWEEN 2005 AND 2008
Emma Beatson • [email protected]
New data are reported on the diet of the long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, based on stomach
contents recovered from whales involved in a mass stranding on Farewell Spit, Golden Bay, South
Island, on 23 January 2008. The stomachs of eleven whales were examined, from which identifiable
contents were recovered from six, four females and two males (3.1 - 5.4 m in length). Prey remains
comprised exclusively cephalopod beaks (1 - 46 beaks per whale), attributed to two genera of
cephalopod in two orders; arrow squid, Nototodarus spp. (Teuthoidea: Ommastrephidae), and common
octopus, Pinnoctopus cordiformis (Octopoda: Octopodidae). The stomachs of five whales were empty.
These data complement and are comparable to the only other information available for this species
from this region, reported from stomach contents of whales similarly mass-stranded on Farewell Spit in
December 2005.
SPONGES OF THE WELLINGTON SOUTH COAST
Jade Berman • [email protected]
Simon Davy
James Bell
Sponges represent a major component of hard substratum benthic marine communities throughout
New Zealand, yet they are often ignored during surveys and monitoring programmes as they are
considered too difficult to identify and quantify. Sponges are abundant and diverse in the proposed
new marine reserve on the Wellington south coast especially in cracks, crevices, caves and overhangs.
Here we present the results of sponge diversity and distribution surveys within the proposed marine
reserve and we describe some of the common sponge species. This data forms part of a long-term study
of sponge assemblage temporal variability and monitoring that will be compared with similar data sets
from other locations around the world.
ALIEN IMPACTS: THE EFFECT OF INVASIVE HABITAT-FORMERS ON ASSOCIATED MOBILE FAUNA
Emma Birdsey • [email protected]
Alistair Poore
Emma Johnston
Invasions from alien species are ubiquitous in regions where anthropogenic activities prevail, and have
the potential to cause major effects in marine systems. I am investigating associations between habitatforming species and mobile fauna, looking at how they are impacted through the introduction of alien
species to Australia. Sessile marine fauna (such as sponges, ascidians, and bryozoans) support very
diverse assemblages of mobile invertebrates and so they are an important trophic link to consumers
such as fish. Central to predicting and managing their impact is knowledge of the specificity of
associations between habitat-forming species and the assemblages they support. I hope to elucidate
specific relationships between habitat-formers and associated mobile species to predict how changes
via alien species could affect the diversity of entire assemblages. This is being done by manipulating the
composition of habitat-forming species in the Sydney region to investigate the impacts of alien species
on their associated mobile fauna, and more generally, the relationships between biodiversity and
ecosystem functioning.
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ANALYSIS OF DROP CAMERA DATA FROM THE TARANAKI COAST
Annette Bombosch • [email protected]
Tamsen Byfield
James Bell
To successfully manage and protect marine resources, different habitat types and associated species
need to be identified, classified and mapped. A range of habitat mapping techniques exist that can be
used at different spatial scales, although large-scale projects often involve indirect or remote sampling.
However, to reliably confirm physical and biological characteristics, ground-truthing, a sampling
method using direct observation (such as drop camera recordings), is required. Generally, this process
is very labour intensive and therefore only usually conducted in subsets of the region surveyed. We
analysed drop camera data, collected during a benthic survey at the North and South Traps off Patea
(Taranaki coast) in 2005, in order to: (1) provide a general overview of the North and South Traps'
benthic communities, abundance differences between the two survey sites, and the
national/international importance of the habitat types and their associated biota; (2) develop a
hierarchical classification scheme, based as much as possible on the existing coastal classification and
mapping scheme developed by the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Fisheries; (3) assess
habitat health status; and (4) produce a visualisation of final results in a GIS map. Our research aims to
assist in the development of a consistent habitat classification and provides important information
about the location of different habitat classes along the Taranaki coast.
SEABED IMAGING: KEEPING TRACK AND MAKING SENSE
David Bowden • [email protected]
Brent Wood
Photographic sampling of the seabed affords great potential for developing new insights into the
ecology of seabed assemblages and ground-truthing of broad scale acoustic surveys. However, while
images are, arguably, more intuitively understandable than conventional samples, they bring their own
problems of data management and analysis. We outline methods in development at NIWA for keeping
track of, and making sense of, seabed images. These include software for logging geo-referenced
observations during video transects, databases for long term management of images and metadata, and
an image analysis application integrated with an extensive reference database supporting such items as
taxon hierarchies, seabed substrates, and anthropogenic features. The goal is routinely to generate
managed, audited, data describing the content of images in a form that can be used in ecological
analyses and habitat mapping.
HIGHLY LOCALISED DISTRIBUTION OF A NEWLY RE-DISCOVERED PARASITIC BARNACLE,
HETEROSACCUS SP., IN WELLINGTON HARBOUR, NEW ZEALAND
Annette Brockerhoff • [email protected]
Colin McLay
A. Rybakov
R. Gurney
A parasitic barnacle was rediscovered in New Zealand after original recordings from collections in
1931. Heterosaccus sp. (Crustacea: Rhizocephala) occurred in 93.5% of 1118 pie-crust crab Metacarcinus
novaezelandiae (Decapoda: Cancridae) collected from Wellington Harbour between May 2006 and March
2007. Surprisingly, this rhizocephalan has so far not been found anywhere else in New Zealand even
though 2528 crabs were collected from other sites nationwide. Prevalence of Heterosaccus sp. was
similar for male and female crabs and all were castrated. Many of the infected males displayed major
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morphological changes that included a wider abdomen and extra pairs of biramous pleopods on the
abdomen compared to uninfected males (feminisation). The reproductive cycle of the rhizocephalan in
Wellington appears to be continuous through out the year with a slight peak of newly emerging
externas in early summer. The apparent highly localised distribution of the parasitic barnacle is
important for our understanding of the population dynamics of their host crab as it indicates that some
crab populations are fairly isolated. In the South Pacific overall few Rhizocephala are described (18
from six genera). Several other specimens have been reported from new hosts, including some from
deep sea locations, and other rhizocephalan genera but await description and identification yet. This
shows clearly that the South Pacific has a rich rhizocephalan fauna, but still very little is known about
their ecology. Comparative genetic work showed that the New Zealand Heterosaccus species is most
closely related to the European species Sacculina carcini, which infects among others the European shore
crab Carcinus maenas. This newfound species might therefore also play an important role in the biotic
resistance of New Zealand’s marine environment by potentially infecting non-indigenous crabs.
DIET, PARASITES AND POTENTIAL SYMBIONTS OF THE UPSIDE-DOWN JELLYFISH CASSIOPEA
Joanna Browne • [email protected]
The photosynthetic jellyfish Cassiopea is unusual because it lays upside-down on the benthos to expose
the zooxanthellae in its oral arms to sunlight for photosynthesis. While many studies have investigated
the contribution of photosynthesis to the nutrition of Cassiopea, there are no published data on its
heterotrophic diet. This study aimed to investigate whether Cassiopea also feeds on invertebrates and if
it is a host to parasites or symbionts. In April 2008, medusae were sampled during the day at four sites
in the lagoon surrounding Lizard Island and the invertebrates present on the oral arms, and in the
gastric system and encysted within the bell were quantified. Samples of invertebrates were also
collected from sediment cores and plankton tows, using a novel method that involved towing a
plankton net above the lagoon floor while using SCUBA. Sampling was repeated at night at two of the
sites. Comparisons of abundances of invertebrates on the jellyfish and in the surrounding environment
were used to determine whether invertebrates present on the jellyfish were prey, parasites or
symbionts.
THE RISK AND IMPACTS OF INTRODUCED SPECIES WITHIN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS OF
TASMANIA
Dominic Bryant • [email protected]
Marnie Campbell
The worlds increasing population has placed constant stress on the earth’s environment at both local
and global scales. This stress has caused alterations in ecosystems which lead to dramatic losses in
biodiversity, such as the loss of endangered species to the introduction of non-native species. Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) are a fairly new conservation management tool with goals to protect
biodiversity, protect single species, sustain/replenish fisheries stocks, or protect an area for aesthetic
purposes. Unfortunately the designation of an MPA has been shown to attract more people within the
MPA boundary, for recreational activities such as SCUBA diving or fishing. Boats used for these
activities act as transport vectors for introduced species, as they mostly come from ports and marinas
that are pathways that spread introduced species within a country and beyond. The need for
stakeholder involvement during the MPA design process means many MPAs are zoned to allow for
certain activities. Herein we hypothesise that the more activities allowed within an MPA, the higher the
risk of introduced species establishment. Subsequently, increases in introduced species can have
detrimental effects in marine habitats by out competing native species for food and space, thus
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contributing to loss of biodiversity, which can also lead to significant economic losses for the country
concerned. The aim of this research is to determine how vulnerable MPAs are to introduced species,
based on their management zoning. This will be done by assessing theoretical risk of four MPAs and
four control sites within Tasmania, and testing the theoretical risk assessment via empirical field work.
Due to similar zoning methods used globally it is anticipated that this risk assessment will have
implications that can aid MPA management in a global context.
THE EFFECT OF BURIAL CETACEAN CARCASS ON NUTRIENT INFLUX AT TWO NEW ZEALAND
BEACHES
Ann Bui • [email protected]
Numerous cetaceans strand on New Zealand beaches every year, and these generally are disposed of
by burying them within the beach at or just above high water mark. No resource consent is required to
bury these cetaceans and the time and expertise available to Department of Conservation personnel to
undertake an assessment of the effects any such burial may have on the flora and fauna unique to any
burial site is simply not available. Decomposing cetaceans release significant quantities of organic
Nitrogen and Phosphorus into beach sediments, the environmental effects of which have not been
earlier researched. Herein preliminary data are presented that detail the spatial and temporal variations
in organic nitrogen and phosphorus in surface sediments prior to and following cetacean burial at two
beaches, Muriwai, West Coast Auckland, and Pakiri, on the east coast of North Auckland, over several
months. The implications of cetacean burial and organic enrichment of beach sediments are discussed.
BENTHIC COMMUNITY BASELINE SURVEYS AS A CONSERVATION TOOL: AN EXAMPLE FROM
WELLINGTON’S SOUTH COAST
Tamsen Byfield • [email protected]
Jonathan Gardner
James Bell
Marine reserve development requires knowledge of the type, distribution, range and structure of an
area’s physical habitats and related biological communities in order to monitor reserve-related changes
in community structure. Identification of appropriate indicator species allows development of efficient
monitoring protocols. Previous studies of Wellington’s epibenthic and pelagic communities used
different survey techniques in this topographically complex rocky reef environment. Here, to develop
monitoring protocols and to update a previous baseline study (2001) for the new marine reserve, we
replicated one survey’s techniques over nine rocky reef sites (three sites west, in, and east of the
proposed reserve). We used belt transects to assess abundance of the mobile macro-invertebrate
epibenthic community and quadrats randomly located along transects to assess the sessile invertebrate
and macro-algal communities. Depth, habitat type, and horizontal Secchi distance were also recorded,
with additional environmental parameters to be included in analyses. Preliminary results confirm a
west-east spatial gradient in species abundance and diversity. This technique successfully identified the
range of habitat types present and provided an overview of benthic community richness. Future
monitoring should incorporate this area’s topographic complexity into survey design by stratifying by
habitat type (per species-area curve: vertical faces (reef/pinnacle), horizontal (reef), boulder (horizontal
surface), and by functional group. By reducing variability, this approach will improve detection of
spatial and temporal changes in community structure, essential to successful monitoring.
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MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND STOCK MIXING OF BLUE COD (PARAPERCIS COLIAS) IN AN ENCLOSED
FIORD AND A COASTAL STRAIT OF SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND
Glen Carbines • [email protected]
Jeremy McKenzie
To determine the most appropriate spatial scale for blue cod (Parapercis colias) management regimes,
two large-scale tagging programs were carried out sequentially in Foveaux Strait (open coast) and
Dusky
Sound
(enclosed
fiord)
in
southern
New
Zealand.
In Foveaux Strait 9368 blue cod were tagged and 8% were recovered after 20 months. The largest
distance moved was 156 km, but 60% moved less than 1 km. A variation of the Peterson mark-recapture
model was used to calculate proportional population mixing rates. There was little mixing between
fisheries reporting areas, but within Foveaux Strait mixing rates were highly variable with some areas
acting as sources while others acted as sinks. In Dusky Sound 4077 blue cod were t-tagged and 7% were
recovered after 17 months. The largest distance moved was 30 km, but 65% moved less than 1 km.
Modeled population mixing rates showed that the two outermost strata of Dusky Sound drained blue
cod into the inner half of the fiord which acted as a collecting sink. The scale of movement and large
degree of site fidelity observed confirm that blue cod may be susceptible to local or point depletion
within parts of current management areas and smaller scale management regimes are a useful tool to
manage this species in discrete areas of high fishing pressure.
CRYOPRESERVATION OF MARINE THRAUSTOCHYTRIDS
Serena Cox • [email protected]
Debbie Hulston
The benefits of cryopreservation of marine microbes include reduced labour costs associated with
maintaining cultures, minimal genetic drift and reduced exposure to contamination. In this research,
the viability of three strains of marine thraustochytrid were investigated after freezing in liquid
nitrogen. Five cryopreservative combinations containing horse serum, glycerol and dimethylsulfide
(DMSO) were used. The thraustochytrids were assessed directly after removal from liquid nitrogen and
cell concentration measured for 10 days post-thawing. Results indicated that a combination of horse
serum and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were the most effective cryoprotectants for each of the strains
tested. Glycerol was only successful in producing growth in one of the strains once thawed. The main
aim of this study was to assess the success of cryopreservation, and test the effectiveness of horse
serum, DMSO and glycerol as protective additives. The protocols developed and tested in this study
may have further application for cryopreserving other strains in this group.
BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE DIVERSITY OF TUCETONA LATICOSTATA (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA) BIOGENIC
SUBSTRATA IN HAURAKI GULF
Severine Dewas • [email protected]
Steve O’Shea
Extensive beds of the large dog cockle, Tucetona laticostata, occur off and around Otata Island, one of a
series of islands in the 'Noises group' in Hauraki Gulf. The distribution and abundance of T. laticostata
and associated benthic invertebrate communities in this region was surveyed using SCUBA, SCUBAcollected core and vessel-collected Van-Veen grab samples. Data reporting spatial variations in benthic
invertebrate communities in the region associated with Tucetona shell deposits are described. Both
species diversity and individual species abundance are recognised to be greater within T. laticostata
articulated-shell habitat, compared to that within less-structurally-diverse and adjacent considerably
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fragmented shell gravel habitats. Moreover, these two habitats, articulated Tucetona-shell and
fragmented shell gravel, supported different assemblages of invertebrate taxa, with these assemblages
varying over time. Actual and potential anthropogenic threats to these hyper-diverse Tucetona-based
species assemblages are described, and recommendations given to ensure their spatial and temporal
viability.
THE DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT OF BENTHIC, INVASIVE SPECIES WITHIN RANGITOTO CHANNEL
AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE DIET OF FINFISH
Suzannah Dodd • [email protected]
Steve O'Shea
Both the diversity and abundance of invasive species is increasing within many New Zealand harbours.
However, the role these species play, if any, in food webs, or in modifying indigenous assemblages of
species is poorly understood. Preliminary data herein are reported that identify the diversity,
distribution and biomass of invasive species throughout Rangitoto Channel, Auckland, with the most
frequently encountered invasives including the bivalves Limaria orientalis, Musculista senhousia and
Theora lubrica, the barnacle Balanus trigonus, crab Pyromaia tuberculata, and polychaete Chaetopterus sp.,
and ascidian Corella eumyota, of which the most abundant and prevalent are the three bivalves. Current
species assemblages throughout this region are compared and contrasted with those reported in the
1930s and 1990s. The relationships between invasive species diversity, biomass and abundance, and
depth, substratum type, and associated species are reported, as is the diet of finfish throughout the
region.
SEASONALITY, SEDUCTION AND FOUL PLAY: THE HYDROID FAUNA OF PORT PHILLIP BAY
Isla Fitridge • [email protected]
Hydroids (Cnidaria:Hydrozoa) are present in many marine communities and habitats throughout the
world. They are also common fouling species, frequent 'invasive' species and are of economic
importance in terms of their fouling capacity. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked in ecological
studies.
There have been few accounts of the ecology of the Australian hydroid fauna. In Port Phillip Bay (PPB),
on Australia's southern coast (Victoria), hydroids are a common component of many benthic sessile
communities, and are notable fouling organisms. My PhD research seeks to examine how the hydroid
communities of PPB change temporally and spatially, by recording data on their presence, absence,
recruitment, growth and fertility. It represents the first documented assessment of the hydroid fauna of
this region. Filamentous materials such as hydroids are known to provide an attractive settlement
surface for mussel spat. In the blue mussel farms of PPB, the presence of hydroids on mussel 'spatcatching' ropes has been noted to substantially increase spat yields. In New Zealand (NZ), and
elsewhere overseas, hydroids have been detrimental to the industry by heavily fouling mussel shells.
Yet there is little research on the nature of the relationship between hydroids and juvenile/adult
mussels. The study therefore also aims to examine the role of hydroids as fouling species within mussel
culture operations. The potential of hydroids to be utilised as spat 'attractors' and the impact of
hydroids on mussel culture productivity will be investigated, using PPB and NZ mussel farms as
research sites.
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EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS ON ESTUARINE COMMUNITIES
Atsuko Fukunaga • [email protected]
Effects of copper, lead and zinc from polluted stormwater runoff on estuarine communities are of
particular environmental concern in the Auckland region. Field and laboratory manipulative
experiments are proposed, using metal-spiked sediments with target concentrations of 70 µg/g
(copper), 50 µg/g (lead) and 300 µg/g (zinc), to examine the effects of the metals on estuarine
communities. Pilot studies were performed to assess 1) the appropriateness of the target concentrations
and 2) any differences in faunal responses in field and laboratory settings. The laboratory pilot studies
tested lethal effects of the metals on the amphipod Paracorophium sp. and the bivalve Macomona liliana.
The field pilot study examined infaunal re-colonisation of defaunated, metal-spiked sediments in
Orewa estuary. The laboratory studies showed both copper and zinc to have lethal effects on
organisms, 50–100% and 100% respectively, but recolonisers in the field included these taxa.
Nevertheless, faunal assemblages in copper and zinc spiked sediments were significantly different from
those in un-manipulated areas, suggesting that these sediments may undergo slower re-colonisation
than control or Pb-spiked sediments. Sediment metal concentrations gradually decreased over the field
experimental period to approximately 50% of the target levels. The target concentrations used in the
pilot studies were still lower than some environmental criteria (e.g. ISQG-High, ANZECC 2000), and
higher target concentrations may allow clearer observations of effects in the field. The pilot studies
showed a disparity in faunal response to metal contaminants in laboratory and field settings,
confirming the difficulty of applying laboratory results to New Zealand faunal communities.
DIETARY COMPARISONS OF TWO SYMPATRIC STINGRAYS (DASYATIS AKAJEI AND D. LAEVIGATA) IN
ARIAKE BAY, JAPAN
Keisuke Furumitsu • [email protected]
Atsuko Yamaguchi
Red stingray, Dasyatis akajei, and yantai stingray, D. laevigata, are the most dominant sympatric species
of demersal fish assemblage in Ariake Bay, Japan. In this study, we analyzed the stomach contents of D.
akajei and D. laevigata collected from Ariake Bay, and compared to examine the possibility of resource
partitioning. Their overall dietary compositions were similar. Crustaceans were the predominant prey
category (D. akajei, %W=76.4, %F=87.6, RI=6696.0; D. laevigata, %W=81.1, %F=95.9, RI=7782.7). Among
crustaceans, a carids shrimp Leptochela gracilis was the most important prey item (D. akajei, %W=17.9,
%F=32.1, RI=572.6; D. laevigata, %W=19.3, %F=34.0, RI=655.0). The ontogenetic shifts in stomach contents
were clearly found for both species. Individuals fed primarily on shrimps when small, preying on a
larger diversity of prey species including crabs, polychaetes and teleosts with increasing size. The
significant overlap in the dietary compositions of both species was observed in each equivalent size
class. These data did not suggest the possibly of interspecific resource partitioning.
SHARING COASTAL SPACE WITH SEA LIONS
James Fyfe • [email protected]
The return of New Zealand sea lions to breed on the Otago coast is good news for the conservation of
this species. Indications are that the quality of foraging habitat around Otago Peninsula will support
continued growth of a mainland population. However, the use of sandy beaches and adjacent land by
sea lions can bring them into contact with a broad spectrum of Otago's human population. While
barriers may be utilised in some limited circumstances to restrict sea lion access to areas, education is
the key to avoiding the conflict that can occur between people and sea lions over the use of coastal
space. While sea lion behaviour is predictable and conflict can be avoided by allowing them space,
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changing human habits, behaviours and attitudes will continue to be the greatest challenge for
management. DOC is developing a species management plan to guide management, research and
community relations initiatives for New Zealand sea lions. The emergence of the New Zealand Sea
Lion Trust as a community advocate for sea lion conservation is an important step toward greater
public awareness and acceptance of a species that has returned from the brink of extinction to share
New Zealand's beaches.
BEACH REPLENISHMENT IN NEAR SHORE ECOSYSTEMS: EFFECTS ON SEAGRASS, BENTHIC
INVERTEBRATES, SEDIMENT, AND WATER QUALITY
Rebecca Gentry • [email protected]
Near shore seagrass beds provide essential habitat, play an important role in nutrient cycles, and
structure the sediment dynamics in coastal ecosystems, yet the ecological effects of beach
replenishment on seagrass beds is poorly understood. Ten sites along the coast of Punta Cana,
Dominican Republic, were chosen and classified by the extent to which beach replenishment, in the
form of nourishment (sand addition) and construction of structures to change sediment flow, have
altered the sites. At each site, seagrass and benthic invertebrates were sampled along five transects that
ran out to sea perpendicular to the shore. In addition, abiotic measures of water quality and sediment
grain size were assessed. The sites most heavily altered had significantly less seagrass bed cover,
invertebrate abundance, and richness, which indicate that these sites have reduced overall biodiversity.
Moderately altered sites also had significantly less seagrass bed cover than the low alteration sites,
suggesting that the effects of replenishment extend beyond the immediate areas where beach
construction activities were located. There was a non-significant trend for offshore sediment grain size
to increase in more intensely altered sites. Larger grain size might be due to the loss of seagrass, which
slows the current, and traps fine particles. This physical change may be contributing to the slow return
of both benthic invertebrates and seagrass to the highly altered sites. The implications for New Zealand
and Australian seagrass habitats are discussed. More research needs to be done in order to learn the
most effective ways of balancing continued development with protection of these vital resources.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN BIVALVE ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES: CAN THEY BE USED AS INDICATORS OF
HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION?
Aimee Gibson • [email protected]
University Of Waikato
Michael Ahrens
Conrad Pilditch
Organisms exposed to pollutants (such as trace metals) can alter cellular enzymes and other protein
levels to minimise oxidative stress to tissues. This alteration in enzyme activity can be measured, and
has been proposed as a sensitive early warning biomarker to indicate exposure to environmental
contamination and predict long term changes in organism health. However, numerous studies have
correlated enzyme activity with heavy metal concentrations for many benthic invertebrates; few have
adequately resolved seasonal variability in the response of these biomarkers, limiting their application
to natural environments. The aim of this study was to measure the response of three antioxidant
enzymes in the suspension feeding bivalve Austrovenus stutchyburyi along a heavy metal contamination
gradient. We collected cockles monthly from three sites in the Tamaki Estuary from April 2007–May
2008. Sediment samples were also collected for analysis of metals, chlorophyll and grainsize and
correlated to biomarker responses. We measured the activity of three antioxidant enzymes (glutathione
reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidise) known to respond to heavy metal
contamination. Heavy metal analysis of sediments confirmed a contamination gradient from the upper
to the lower reaches of the Tamaki estuary. Initial results have shown that the enzyme activities show
little difference between cockles collected from different sites. This study will evaluate the suitability of
this technique as an early warning tool for heavy metal contamination in natural settings.
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QUANTIFYING RATES OF SEDIMENTARY DENITRIFICATION IN SOUTHERN NEW ZEALAND ESTUARIES
Catherine Gongol • [email protected]
Candida Savage
Keith Probert
Russell Frew
Given the acceleration of nitrogen fixation by anthropogenic activities, the increased human population
living in coastal areas, and widespread human transformation of Earth's land surface, which have
significantly increased the load and rate of delivery of bioavailable nitrogen to aquatic systems, it is no
surprise that inorganic nitrogen over-enrichment is generally considered the biggest pollution problem
influencing the structure and ecological function of coastal waters. In natural and human-altered
estuarine environments, denitrification is an important ecosystem service because it is a permanent sink
for bioavailable nitrogen in these systems, and may therefore help to control the degree of
eutrophication. In this study, rates of denitrification are measured using the isotope-pairing method in
four southern New Zealand estuaries (Avon-Heathcote, Waikouaiti, Tokomairiro, and Tautuku), which
range in size, nutrient loading level, and catchment land use. Rates of denitrification are quantified
semi-annually at sites within each estuary that cover a range of salinity and pH gradients, macrofauna
assemblages, organic matter and chlorophyll a sediment contents, and sediment types with the aim of
identifying which environmental factors influence the rates. The effect of different water column
nutrient concentrations on the proportion of the gaseous end products (N2O produced relative to N2) as
well as the differentiation of denitrifiation supported by the diffusion of nitrate from the water column
or nitrate produced via nitrification is also investigated.
HOW CAN NEW ZEALAND AQUACULTURE BECOME A BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY BY 2025?
Robert Hickman • [email protected]
Graeme Moss
In 2001 the New Zealand Aquaculture Council proposed that 'with managed expansion this industry
could achieve export earnings of $1 billion by 2020 from 17,000 hectares of farms'. A subsequent
licencing moratorium and problems in implementing the Aquaculture Reform Act (2004) have stifled
the proposed 'managed expansion' and pushed back the billion dollar deadline to 2025. An increase in
farmed area from the current 6500 hectares to the proposed 17,000 is unlikely in the near future.
Alternative approaches are required to achieve the billion dollar target—three possible approaches are:
More diversity: New Zealand's narrow aquaculture base needs to be expanded. Culture of marine
plants is second only to finfish in volume of world aquaculture production. New Zealand has
numerous seaweed species with aquaculture potential, one of which is the exotic species Undaria
pinnatifida. This alien and invasive species introduced in the 1980s and now widely established, could,
like the introduced Pacific oyster, be developed as a new aquaculture species. More value: The Bluff
oyster is a potential alternative to the Pacific oyster for increasing the value of oyster farming. The
native oyster can be farmed with similar growth rates, using traditional Pacific oyster culture
techniques and locations, to achieve a product that retails at $18-30/dozen compared to $8–10/dozen for
Pacifics. More productivity: Slow growth is a paua farming constraint. A selective breeding
programme, to identify and then breed from the best performing families, has potential to achieve
improvements of 10–20% per generation. Faster growth to harvest would yield savings in the cost of
production and/or higher productivity from a paua farm.
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SHELLFISH RESOURCE MAPPING IN TWO WEST COAST NORTH ISLAND HARBOURS
Kristina Hillock • [email protected]
Maheswaran Rohan
Kawhia and Aotea Harbours are large "drowned-valleys" on the west coast of the North Island. Both
harbours have extensive intertidal flats with healthy seagrass beds. Although a number of small scale
shellfish surveys had been undertaken within the two harbours, there had been no attempt to map
shellfish resources on a larger scale. Using a 100 meter GPS grid, observations of shellfish presence,
number and size were conducted on the intertidal flats of the two harbours. These observations were
then analysed using GIS to map the extent of shellfish resources.
SLOW-ROASTED OR QUICK BOILING: APPLICATION OF MICROWAVES AS A MEANS OF RESPONDING
TO NON-INDIGENOUS MARINE SPECIES
Sandra Hinni • [email protected]
Dan McClary
Our capacity to effectively respond to the threats posed by non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) is
severely limited by a lack of effective 'response tools'. As part of a wider development programme by
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, commercial-grade microwave generators were tested to assess their
efficacy for the eradication of NIMS found in intertidal soft sediments. Initial pilot studies focussed on
assessing the efficacy of using microwaves to heat marine sediments in the laboratory. Examination of
the temperature profiles generated revealed that heating was limited largely to the upper 3 cm of the
sediment. A series of experiments was then conducted with two different microwave generators
(operating at 0.8 kilowatt (kW) and 5 kW) on a range of soft substrates (mud, sand and gravely
sediments) to determine the efficacy of microwaves for killing infaunal bivalves (the native infaunal
bivalve Nucula spp. was used as a surrogate species). Nucula spp. were placed at 0 and 3 cm depth in
the sediment and microwave radiation was applied for 3 minutes (0.8 kW generator) or for 60 seconds
(5 kW generator). Mortality rates of up to 90% (0.8 kW generator) and 100% (5 kW generator) were
achieved. The laboratory results suggested that this technology would be suitable for eradication of
shallow infaunal organisms living to a depth of approximately 3 cm. Extensive trials would, however,
be necessary to develop a microwave unit that could be applied in the field and would achieve
consistent mortality rates.
HECTOR'S DOLPHIN DIET: PAST AND PRESENT
Elanor Hutchison • [email protected]
Liz Slooten
Hector's dolphin is endangered and endemic to New Zealand. Government's recent Threat
Management Plan has highlighted bycatch as the main threat to this species, indicating that this must
be effectively reduced to zero to allow population recovery. Management decisions need to consider
cumulative human impacts, past and present. A broader research programme called "Taking Stock" is
analysing changes to the marine environment since humans arrived in NZ, including changes in fish
stocks and how this may have affected predators such as dolphins, sharks and seabirds. The
contribution of this study is to provide detailed data on Hector's dolphin diet, including prey species
eaten today and in the past. This will help asses whether declines in fish populations have affected
dolphin populations. Stomach content analysis of recently stranded specimens has provided detail on
current diet throughout New Zealand. Archived specimens from the Canterbury region will now be
151
used to determine whether the creation of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary, and
subsequent reduced fishing activity, have had an effect on local Hector's dolphin diet. Stable isotope
analysis of bone collagen from individuals stranded both before and after the creation of the Sanctuary
will be used, along with isotopic signatures of prey species identified in stomach contents. The
distribution of these prey species over time will also be examined through literature searches and
analysing data from scientific trawl surveys. Preliminary results indicate feeding throughout the water
column, on a wide variety of fish species and arrow-squid. New species found include the Javelinfish,
which is thought to live deeper than 180 m; well beyond the current known depth range of Hector's
dolphin.
AGE, GROWTH AND SPAWNING SEASON OF THE GREY SEA CHUB KYPHOSUS BIGIBBUS OFF
NAGASAKI, JAPAN
Keiichi Inoue • [email protected]
Takanari Kiriyama
Taku Yoshimura
Atsuko Yamaguchi
Age and growth of the grey sea chub, Kyphosus bigibbus, were studied by using scales of 342 specimens
collected from Nagasaki, Japan. The ring marks on scales were clear, and 97.0% of all scales were
readable. Annual ring formation was determined by edge analyses. The monthly changes in the
percentages of scale with opaque margin revealed that the ring mark mainly formed once a year. The
von Bertalanffy growth equations were as follows: males, Lt = 508{1-exp[-0.271(t+0.551)]} and females,
Lt = 629{1-exp[-0.148(t+1.519)]}, where t is age in years and Lt is fork length in mm at age t. The
maximum ages were 11 years for males and 17 years for females. Females were larger than males at
each estimated age with over 7 years old. The spawning season was estimated to occur from July to
August according to monthly changes of the gonad somatic index in each sex.
TARGETED SURVEILLANCE FOR MARINE INVASIVE SPECIES
Olivia Johnston • [email protected]
Kimberley Seaward
Lisa Peacock
Kate Schimanski
Marie Kospartov
Marine invasive species pose a specific threat to New Zealand’s marine resources. Early detection of
non-indigenous species (NIS) is important in preventing damage to both cultural and environmental
resources, including aquaculture and tourism. NIWA is conducting targeted surveillance for the early
detections of unwanted NIS in New Zealand’s ports and harbours for MAF Biosecurity NZ. The
surveillance is focused on presence and absence of multiple target species using a range of techniques
appropriate to each organism’s life history and habitat. These techniques include a combination of
baited and un-baited crab traps, starfish traps, epi-benthic sleds, diving and shore searching. Many of
these methods are capable of detecting multiple target species. NIWA has developed specific systems,
processes, tools and training to maximise the effectiveness of targeted surveillance for marine invasive
species.
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THE ECOLOGY OF SPONGES AT PALMYRA ATOLL: DIVERSITY, INVASIVE SPECIES AND ECOLOGICAL
INTERACTIONS
Ingrid Knapp • [email protected]
James Bell
Jonathan Gardner
Palmyra Atoll is located at the North-western end of the Line Islands (5°53’N, 162°05’W) approximately
1600 km south of Hawaii. It consists of many islets with 4 shallow lagoons surrounded by an extensive
reef system. The Palmyra system is interesting as it has no history of permanent human habitation and
was essentially unaltered until the Second World War when the U.S. Navy enlarged the islets, dredged
the lagoons and built a road across and around the atoll. Here we describe the research we will be
conducting on the sponge fauna at Palmyra Atoll over the next three years. Sponges are rare on the
outer reef systems at Palmyra, but can be found extensively within the lagoons. Understanding the
diversity and abundance of sponges in the lagoons at Palmyra is important from a management
perspective since the diversity, distribution, abundance and stability of sponge assemblages remains
unknown and the lagoon system is in an altered state. We are particularly interested in the potentially
non-indigenous species at Palmyra; with Haliclona caerulea already reportedly found there. If the
sponges within the lagoons are non-indigenous then they may well be having a negative effect on the
Palmyra ecosystem. Knowledge on the invasive species at Palmyra, their origins and dynamics is
important as it may well be that the modifications made to the lagoons and islets during the military
occupation resulted in the existing high sedimentation levels, which is allowing and supporting the
establishment and proliferation of invasive sponge species within the lagoons.
FREE-LIVING MARINE NEMATODES: THE LAST FRONTIER IN BIODIVERSITY DISCOVERY IN NEW
ZEALAND?
Daniel Leduc • [email protected]
Free-living nematodes are the most abundant group of animals on the planet, and amongst the most
diverse metazoans living in marine sediments.
The number of species described so far (about 20 000) is thought to represent about 2-10% of the global
biodiversity. Despite their importance, marine nematodes remain one of the least studied invertebrate
taxon in New Zealand. A little over one hundred species have been described from the New Zealand
EEZ, mostly in the first half of the 20th century. Given the large size of the New Zealand EEZ,
hundreds, if not thousands of species are yet to be discovered. A recent survey of intertidal nematodes
in Papanui Inlet, Otago Peninsula, revealed that many, if not most species encountered (including the
dominant ones), are undescribed. The absence of marine nematode taxonomists in New Zealand means
that work on this little studied group will depend, as is often the case in unexplored regions, on
ecologists. Several species are being described by the author, but much remains to be done in order to
obtain even a basic understanding of the New Zealand marine nematode fauna. Work in this area is
likely to contribute greatly not only to our knowledge of biodiversity, but also to the fields of ecology
and biogeography.
OXIDATIVE STRESS IN POLAR AND NON-POLAR SEA URCHIN EMBRYOS
Kathryn Lister • [email protected]
Oxidative stress - the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) - is an important
component of the stress response in marine organisms exposed to changing environmental conditions,
such as enhanced ultraviolet radiation (UV-R), and can damage lipids, proteins and DNA. This process
may be especially important for Antarctic marine species due to the high oxygen concentration in
Antarctic seawater. To understand the indirect effects of UV-R on oxidative stress in planktonic
embryos from a range of latitudes, antioxidant activity in larvae of an Antarctic (Sterechinus neumayeri)
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and a tropical (Tripneustes gratilla) sea urchin species were quantified. Quantifications were made using
in situ experimental techniques that were standardised to allow direct comparisons among species.
Captive embryos were held on moored experimental racks for 1 to 13 days (depending on development
rate) and exposed to one of 3 light treatments: (1) full ambient light; (2) visible light but no UV-R; or (3)
visible light and UV-A, but no UV-B. Preliminary results showed that activity of superoxide dismutase
(SOD) significantly decreased with depth after in-situ UV-R exposures both under thick sea ice
coverage (Cape Evans) and under minimal coverage (McMurdo Sound ice-edge) in Antarctica (iceedge: P < 0.0001, Cape Evans: P < 0.001). SOD activity was also significantly different between
treatments (P < 0.0001) at the sea-ice edge with greatest activity found under full ambient light
treatments. Further research will compare these results with antioxidant activity from similar species in
other locations with differing UV-R environments.
INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF TWO KEY SPECIES IN SUBTIDAL SOFT-SEDIMENT HABITATS OF
MAHURANGI HARBOUR
Gabriel Machovsky Capuska • [email protected]
Drew Lohrer
Luca Chiaroni
Soft-sediment habitats contribute much to overlying waters and figure prominently in marine
biogeochemical budgets. Bioturbators and structure-forming "ecosystem engineers" are believed to be
important components of such systems. Here, we manipulated densities of two key species at three
sites in Mahurangi Harbour (north of Auckland) to shift functioning in localized areas of soft-sediment
habitat and to quantify how those changes affected local benthic productivity and biodiversity.
Ambient densities of Atrina zelandica and Echinocardium cordatum differed among the sites: where Atrina
was most common, Echinocardium was absent, and vice versa. In October 2007, we established and
sampled 24 experimental plots at each of three sites. Prior to any experimental manipulations,
macrofaunal abundance and sediment characteristics were observed to correspond to natural gradients
in Atrina and Echinocardium abundance across the three sites. Our manipulations of Atrina and
Echinocardium densities within experimental plots and subsequent sampling in March 2008 provided
strong causal evidence linking Echinocardium and Atrina to particular sediment characteristics and
community types. For several response variables, effects were site-dependent, and there was evidence
of interaction between Echinocardium and Atrina. As the two key species have very different functional
roles, their interactions were generally antagonistic, driving response variables such as chlorophyll a
and macrofaunal abundance in opposite directions. Dense beds of Atrina are likely exclude
Echinocardium (and perhaps vice versa), thus efforts to protect these two key species to maintain a more
diverse set of ecological functions must involve conservation at the habitat and estuary scale.
SEDIMENT MACROBENTHOS OF ULVA ISLAND/ TE WHARAWHARA MARINE RESERVE, STEWART
ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Mara Macklé • [email protected]
Keith Probert
The study of patterns of biodiversity is receiving increased attention, because the rapid loss of marine
biodiversity, in particular in coastal areas, is of major concern. The understanding of marine
communities is the basis for the successful conservation of species and ecosystems. A recent addition to
the marine protected areas of New Zealand is Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve (gazetted
2004) in Paterson Inlet, Stewart Island. The Reserve comprises three non-joining areas totaling 1075 ha.
It is surrounded by Te Whaka o Te Wera/Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve, which prohibits commercial
fishing and manages fisheries levels in this important Maori fishing and food gathering area. Since the
establishment of the reserve, there have been subtidal surveys of Macrocystis pyrifera and exploited
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species of invertebrates and fish, but there is limited information on benthic infauna. The aim of the
present study is to provide baseline information on soft sediment assemblages in Paterson Inlet and the
marine reserve. These data will allow comparisons with early information collected before the
establishment of the reserve and permit future evaluations of subtidal soft-bottom assemblages in a
southern marine protected area. Quantitative sampling of macrofauna was carried out at 46 stations
across the mid and outer Paterson Inlet area, including samples for environmental factors that may be
influencing assemblage composition. To date, a total of 94 taxa have been found across four samples.
Macroinvertebrate community composition differed in the percentage contribution of major taxonomic
groups, with annelids making up 3-56%, molluscs 1-20%, crustaceans 24-90%, and “other taxa”
(ascidians, brachiopods, echinoderms) 0-39%. These results provide a first account of the soft-sediment
community assemblage in Paterson Inlet and future research will provide a detailed assessment of the
abundance and composition of benthic macrofaunal communities in Paterson Inlet.
THE SENSITIVE SIDE OF PLANKTON—AUSCPR MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
David McLeod • [email protected]
Anthony Richardson
Graham Hosie
Anita Slotwinski, Claire Davies, Frank Coman
Plankton are crucial components of marine ecosystems, as they are the foundation of pelagic food webs
and provide many essential ecosystem services. The Australian Continuous Plankton Recorder
(AusCPR) program is a component of the $50M Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). The CPR
has been used successfully since the 1930s in the North Atlantic and has been proven to be a costeffective tool for rapidly obtaining synoptic maps of plankton communities over ocean scales. AusCPR
is a joint initiative between CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research and the Australian Antarctic
Division, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. This program will monitor
plankton communities, both phytoplankton and zooplankton, on a monthly basis in selected regions
around Australia. Plankton are extremely sensitive to environmental change and have been used
extensively as beacons of climate change. This program will not only provide the baselines of plankton
distribution and abundance that are missing for the Australian region, but will also supply information
on plankton biodiversity, ecosystem health, the presence of harmful algal blooms, the food
environment for fish, validation for ecosystem models and remote sensing products. The program will
also provide fundamental information on changes in the plankton that will allow us to assess the
implications of climate change on marine ecosystems. AusCPR will initially focus on the East
Australian Current and Southern Ocean, as these regions are projected to demonstrate extensive
changes in plankton communities due to changes in the environment. Consequently, the AusCPR will
also be linked with the circum-Antarctic Southern Ocean CPR Survey.
SLEDDING UNDER ANTARCTIC ICE: SUPRABENTHIC BIODIVERSITY IN THE DEEP ROSS SEA
Sadie Mills • [email protected]
Kareen Schnabel
David Bowden
Anne-Nina Lörz
Marine fauna that live just above the seabed, the 'suprabenthos', are a largely unstudied component of
marine ecosystems. As part of the recent New Zealand International Polar Year (IPY) Census of
Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) Ross Sea voyage (29 January - 20 March 2008) suprabenthic macrofauna
were sampled at 0.8 to 1.1 m above the seafloor with an epibenthic sled ("Brenke sled"). Samples were
collected from 15 shelf, slope and abyssal sites at depths ranging from 284 -3490 m, and covering over
8000 m2 of seafloor. Results from previous surveys employing the same gear in the Arctic and areas of
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the Southern Ocean, especially the Weddell Sea allow us to make predictions as to what might be
discovered in the Ross Sea. Analysis of the samples collected in the present study will significantly
increase our knowledge of biodiversity in the Ross Sea region and will allow us to investigate linkages
between shelf, slope and abyssal fauna and larger scale circumpolar patterns. The material also
represents an important resource for a diverse range of other studies from taxonomy to long-term
ecological research, bioinformatics, and marine conservation.
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY ON SPONGE RESPIRATION RATES
Heather Murray • [email protected]
Simon Davy
James Bell
Respiration can be used as a measure of health for marine organisms and this information can improve
our scientific understanding of an individual's physiological response to their environment, and the
energy flow through an ecosystem. Past respiration research has been conducted on symbiotic sponges
to measure photosynthetic production, but few studies have examined heterotrophic rates. Our
research will describe the respiration rate of several temperate marine sponges, and investigate how
these organisms respond to increasing temperature and ultraviolet radiation. Sponge respiration will be
measured over 24 hours for sponges maintained in six different treatments, with two levels of ultraviolet radiation (None and High UVB), and three temperatures (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C). The results from
our research will investigate how changing environmental factors affect sponges. By measuring sponge
respiration rates our data will also consider how ultraviolet radiation may influence sponge
distribution patterns by causing respiratory stress.
MITS: THE NIWA MARINE INVASIVES TAXONOMY SERVICE
Kathryn Neill • [email protected]
Shane Ahyong
Serena Cox
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research’s (NIWA) Marine Invasives Taxonomic
Service (MITS) was established in late 2005 to coordinate the distribution, identification and data
management for Biosecurity New Zealand’s growing number of marine biosecurity projects. These
projects encompass large scale surveys of ports and vessel hulls as well as smaller scale targeted
surveillance, collections made by the public and even interceptions by customs. To date MITS has
identified about 20,000 lots containing almost 1200 species of which about 20% are alien. Crustacea is
the most common group identified by MITS, constituting about 30% of total samples, followed by algae
at 23%. About 200 crustacean species have been identified of which almost half are not indigenous to
New Zealand.
SOURCES AND PATTERNS OF VARIATION IN NATAL OTOLITH TRACE ELEMENT SIGNATURES: FROM
EXPERIMENTS TO METAPOPULATION CONNECTIVITY
Philipp Neubauer • [email protected]
Jeffrey Shima
Stephen Swearer
Trace element signatures recorded within the cores of otoliths that form during egg and larval
development may characterize natal populations of reef fish, enabling researchers to trace larvae,
settlers and adults back to their natal habitat. While this approach holds great promise,
environmentally influenced signatures need to vary over appropriate spatial scales and remain
relatively consistent through time if they are to be robust indicators of natal populations over useful
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time- and spatial scales. Furthermore, maternal effects on trace element composition may overlap with
environmental signatures of natal locations, complicating inference on putative larval source
populations. Here we report on spatial and temporal variability in otolith signatures of the common
Triplefin (Forsterygion lapillum) in the Cook Strait Region of New Zealand. We did laboratory
experiments designed to evaluate the relative importance of environmental vs. maternal influences on
natal otolith chemistry as well as rates of incorporation of trace elements. A better understanding of the
mechanisms that underlie trace element signatures will enable us to track dispersal in a marine fish
metapopulation, and evaluate patterns of connectivity among local populations including those within
several no-take marine reserves in the Cook Strait region.
SIZE STRUCTURE OF MOBILE INVERTEBRATES ON SEAWEEDS FROM NEW ZEALAND, SOUTHERN
SOUTH AMERICA, AND KING GEORGE ISLAND (ANTARCTICA)
Emma Newcombe • [email protected]
Fish predation is thought to prevent populations of small invertebrates from growing to the point that
their grazing damages or destroys their seaweed hosts. Most work on the size structure of these
populations has been undertaken in temperate areas with moderate abundances of predatory fish.
Edgar (1993) found that these populations exhibited surprisingly precise linear relationships between
(log) abundance and (log) sieve size in the field, and hypothesised that the degree to which small
animals dominated the population could be influenced by predation, food availability, and
competition. Our study compared the abundance and size structure of populations of seaweed
dwelling invertebrates at sites in northeastern New Zealand, southern Chile, and King George Island
(Antarctica). Fish abundances were extremely low at the Chilean sites. Invertebrate populations at both
ends of the spectrum of fish abundance (= predation intensity) had very irregular size structure. It is
suggested that moderate predation produces regular size structure relationships, while very high and
very low predation produce irregularity.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF PYURA SPINIFERA IN NSW MARINA PARKS
USING A COMBINATION OF ACOUSTIC AND OPTICAL TECHNIQUES
Kathryn Newton • [email protected]
David Raftos
Alan Jordan
In less accessible marine environments, novel technologies have made large scale studies of species
distributions possible. Remotely collected video and GPS data, combined with GIS technologies were
used to assess the seafloor characteristics and distribution patterns of the ascidian Pyura spinifera over
broad spatial scales in Port Stephens and Batemans Bay of New South Wales, Australia. P. spinifera
distributions were found to be extremely patchy within and between individual transects and between
geographical regions. The species showed a strong preference for medium to high profile, continuous
rocky reef habitats, while patchy low profile reefs and sandy seafloor habitats were generally void of
this species. Furthermore, P. spinifera occurred in dense aggregations of 10's to 100's of individuals
within very small areas. The distribution patterns of P. spinifera seen over broad spatial scales in Port
Stephens and Batemans Bay may be accounted for by a number of abiotic and biotic factors.
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THE APPLICATION OF ELEMENTAL FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES TO IDENTIFY THE ORIGIN AND
TRANSPORT HISTORY OF JUVENILE BIVALVES
Clarisse Niemand • [email protected]
Conrad Pilditch
Carolyn Lundquist
Pelagic dispersal by larvae is an important process affecting the distribution and abundance of many
benthic invertebrates. Despite its significance, fundamental questions regarding larval sources and
movement among populations are yet to be answered. This lack of knowledge stems from the
difficulties associated with tracking small planktonic larvae over large distances. The chemical
properties of the ambient water have been shown to be integrated into the hard parts of many
invertebrates, including the shells of bivalve larvae which are retained after settlement. Recent studies
have suggested that variations in shell micro-chemistry may be used to determine the natal origin and
transport history of juvenile bivalves. As a first step toward applying this technique to New Zealand
species (Austrovenus stutchburyi, Macomona liliana) we collected recently settled juvenile bivalves (1-4
mm) from 21 North Island estuarine sites and analysed whole shell chemical signatures to establish
whether geographic variations exist. We also determined the elemental composition of the sediment
and water at collection sites to determine whether it could be related to the shell composition. Initial
results suggest differences in shell micro-chemistry exist among estuaries but more analysis is required
to better define the spatial scale over which these differences occur. Ultimately our results will evaluate
the suitability of this technique for determining the origin of estuarine bivalve larvae.
FORAMINIFERAL MORPHOLOGICAL ODDITIES: EVIDENCE OF ASEXUAL BUDDING?
Lisa Northcote • [email protected]
Helen Neil
Budding is the formation of one or more individuals from a parent organism and commonly occurs
among many protozoa and other marine invertebrates. To date, this phenomenon has never been
described in live planktic foraminifera. A sediment trap experiment conducted for one year across
Campbell Plateau showed many examples of what appear to be asexually budding planktic
foraminifera in several non-spinose species. These were found to be more abundant in spring on the
Antarctic Circumpolar Current-swept margin of the eastern Campbell flank, than in the quiescent
waters of the plateau interior at Pukaki Rise. In most cases, there are two or more budding forams in
various stages of emergence from the 'parent' test. Understanding the conditions that gave rise to these
aberrants may help us in assessing those that have been found in fossil assemblages and further
enhance our knowledge of planktic foraminiferal reproduction in general.
POST-SETTLEMENT AND HOLOCENE INCREASES IN SEDIMENTATION ADJACENT TO THE MUDDY
WAIPAOA RIVER, NORTHEASTERN NEW ZEALAND
Alan Orpin • [email protected]
Clark Alexander
J. Walsh
At the muddy Waipaoa River margin of northeastern New Zealand, rapid erosion of friable catchment
lithologies has resulted in thick mid-outer shelf sediment depocentres, and localised thick deposits on
the upperslope. New data from a suite of 0.7-3.2 m-long cores document millennial-scale patterns of
sediment dispersal. Tephras and radiocarbon ages afford accumulation rate estimates for the outer shelf
and intercanyon areas. Down-core measurements show broad changes around 600 y BP, coincident
with the Kaharoa tephra and Polynesian settlement, which persisted for ~200 yrs. Over longer time
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scales, the seaward-tapering edge of the shelf deposit yields a relatively condensed, 1.8 m-long 16 ky
sequence. Here, the transgressive surface correlates to a strong seismic reflector. Millennial
accumulation rates are ~0.3 cm/y over the mid-late Holocene. The consistency of these Holocene rates
with modern radiochemical estimates described in partnering studies suggests that significant mid and
outer-shelf sediment transport pre-dates the increase in sedimentation resulting from colonization.
Collectively these imply pre-deforestation sedimentation was not supply limited. The efficiency with
which riverine sediments are dispersed is longstanding and suggests strong oceanic drivers.
BIOTALLY: A BIOLOGICAL SOLUTION YOU CAN COUNT ON!
Brian Paavo • [email protected]
The BioTally system is a low-cost hardware and software package designed to help scientists enter
information from the benchtop directly into an enterprise level database. It also supports data export
into simple spreadsheets and statistical packages (such as Primer). The counting system consists of a
user-configurable, spill-resistant keyboard matched with a phylogenetically-based counting
application. This approach not only aids data collection, but reporting of biota in proper hierarchical
groups without manual editing (such as appendices). Flexible enough to accommodate many biological
and geological manual-counting tasks, the system was designed with macrofauna workers in mind.
Many institutions are still entering data on paper records followed by manual entry into data systems.
This practice unnecessarily increases labour costs and opportunities for human error. The aim of the
design was to reduce repetitive motions as a benefit to personnel and cost-efficiency. In addition to its
counting, data storage, and reporting features BioTally also has an integrated digital library. Library
entries such as .pdf documents, .jpg images, and .txt files can be linked to the relevant taxa. In practice
this means that valuable, lab-specific references, quick tips, and annotations can be shared across the
lab or across the intranet. The phylogenetic browser can be used to train new technicians and improve
consistency among existing staff without the costs, risks, or logistical problems of physical reference
material.
SPECIES AS CONSERVATION UNITS FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Monalisa Palacio • [email protected]
Steve O'Shea
Species are, or at least should be the foundation upon which decisions affecting biodiversity are made.
Several classification schemes have been proposed for managing and conserving the marine
environment, however ‘holistic’ approaches and surrogates for biodiversity information have been
more widely used instead. Herein, novel measures for uniqueness, representativeness, naturalness and
complementarity were evaluated following spatial and similarity analyses on a novel marine
biodiversity dataset, based on a comprehensive series of recently conducted intertidal surveys of hard
and soft shores at 321 sites extending from Tauranga in the south to Mimiwhangata Bay in the north.
These data are augmented with resource consent data sourced from Auckland Regional Council and
Environment Waikato. Subsequent analyses revealed significant correlation between the proximity of
discharge into the marine environment and species diversity. Moreover, species diversity with existing
marine reserves was identified to be consistently lower than the median value on all rocky shore
platforms examined. It would appear that no existing reserve throughout this region adequately
protects any representative, natural or unique assemblages of intertidal species. Strategies to improve
reserve identification are proposed.
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BENTHO-PELAGIC COUPLING IN NEW ZEALAND SPONGE ASSEMBLAGES
Alejandra Perea-Blázquez • [email protected]
Simon Davy
James Bell
Bentho-pelagic coupling refers to the link between the pelagic ecosystems with the benthos. It is a
process that’s been recognised as having a major impact on the community structure of intertidal and
shallow subtidal marine communities across the globe. Sponges are important components of benthic
ecosystems in New Zealand, and as suspension feeders they can process vast amounts of water
meaning their interaction with the water column is likely to be significant. Although there is a lot of
information available emphasizing the importance of the functional roles that sponges play on coral
reefs, there are far fewer studies focusing on the functional roles of sponges in temperate regions. Our
research focuses on the functional role of bentho-pelagic coupling in sponges from temperate rocky
subtidal ecosystems in Wellington. Here we describe the main goal of our research, which is to
investigate the interactions with the water column for the four most abundant species on the
Wellington South Coast by analysing: (1) diet composition: identifying and quantifying food particles
from water samples using flow cytometry; (2) food removal: estimating pumping rates and filtration
rates; and (3) nutrient content of water samples: measuring fluctuations on silica, nitrite/nitrate,
ammonia and phosphate. We anticipate gaining a better understanding of how sponges interact with
the water column providing useful information on their ecological and biological importance and the
contribution of sponges to ecosystem functioning in New Zealand. This information is particularly
relevant to the management of New Zealand marine reserves as many contain extensive sponge
gardens.
LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND GEOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN REEF FISH DIVERSITY: A COMPARISON OF
TEMPERATE REEF FISH FAUNAS
Alejandro Perez Matus • [email protected]
Russell Cole
Malcolm Francis
Jeff Shima
The complexity of many ecological systems, with their physical and biological spatial scales influences
the way scientists view populations and ecosystems. Biogeography acknowledges that distributional
patterns have their origins at community levels where several intrinsic mechanisms underpin species
co-occurrence. By increasing the scale of observation in ecology one can determine the circumstances
where local phenomena can be scaled up. In this regard, several hypotheses have been proposed in
order to explain diversity and co-occurrence in natural communities. Given that most of these have
been tested at local scales, our capacity to identify the boundaries at which small-scale patterns can be
generalised over large areas may be compromised. By nesting several spatial scales (metres to thousand
kilometres) I aim to determine the differences in reef fish diversity in one of the most productive
subtidal systems, namely kelp forests. Furthermore, by investigating the formation of guilds and
functional groups I aim to clarify the state of convergence of fish communities, considering that lower
niche breadths of species and greater niche overlaps allow higher numbers of species to co-occur. The
present work aims to (a) determine the patterns of distribution of fish from kelp forests in Chile,
Australia and New Zealand, (b) the ecological mechanisms that may underlie those patterns, and (c) a
comparison of assemblage formation at local, regional, and biogeographical scales.
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MORE MUD!
Vernon Pickett • [email protected]
Nathan Singleton
In 2001 Environment Waikato initiated the Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme, that focuses on
intertidal benthic macrofauna and sediment characteristics as “indicators” of the health of the Region’s
estuaries. Five permanent sites are monitored quarterly in both the southern Firth of Thames and
Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour. On each sampling occasion 12 replicate cores (13 cm in diameter and 15
cm deep) are taken to sample sediment-dwelling animals from random positions within each 10,000m2
monitoring plot. Sediment samples are also taken from each plot for analysis of physical, chemical and
biological characteristics. Trend analysis of data from April 2001 to April 2006 for both estuaries
showed the mud fraction (< 63 δm) increased over the 5 years (Firth of Thames – from 0.5-1.3% in April
2001 to 2.2-7.2% in April 2006; Raglan – from 1.7-6.6% in April 2001 to 6-29.2% in April 2006).
Concurrent with this increase a decrease in coarse sand (500-1000 µm) and median grain size was
observed indicating ongoing fining of sediments in both estuaries. Despite this trend there is no clear
evidence of declining trends in abundance of mud sensitive taxa over time (although some sites in
Raglan Harbour with the highest sediment mud content, Haroto Bay and Okete Bay, had the lowest
abundance and less taxa). Critical thresholds of mud content that would affect macrofauna may not
have been reached. Therefore long term monitoring is needed to further assess the effects that this
change in substrate is having on benthic communities.
ANTARCTIC MICROALGAE: PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
Meghana Rajanahally • [email protected]
Ken Ryan
Simon Davy
As sea ice algal communities are the major source of fixed carbon for all life in ice covered regions of
the Southern Ocean, it is important to understand how these organisms adapt to this highly variable
and harsh environment. Previous studies have described the responses of organisms to changes in
environmental conditions, but we still do not understand the physiological basis for how these
responses occur. This study tests the hypothesis that increasing levels of light, temperature, UV
radiation and varying levels of salinity will have a measurable effect on the photosynthetic activity of
sea ice diatoms. Samples were collected from Terra Nova Bay (75oS) during November 2007 and the
effects of varying levels of UV, temperature and light were studied immediately. Pulse Amplitude
Modulation (PAM) experiments suggest that a change in the state of the thylakoid membranes in the
chloroplast may occur at about 22oC, and that the membranes may become irreparably damaged at
approximately 27oC. Other samples were also taken to assess morphological changes in the thylakoid
membrane and are currently being embedded and sectioned for viewing under the TEM. The same
experiments will be repeated in the laboratory with unialgal cultures in the coming months.
Biochemical and physiological functioning will be monitored using techniques such as PAM
fluorometry and by monitoring production of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), antioxidants and
heat shock proteins (HSP) in response to environmental stress.
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PROPOSAL TO STUDY THE CONNECTIVITY, SPECIATION AND SELF-RECRUITMENT AMONG MARINE
MOLLUSCS FROM ISOLATED ISLANDS
Celine Reisser • [email protected]
James Bell
Jonathan Gardner
Traditionally, species with long-lived larval phases have been thought to display extensive gene flow
between populations, as the pelagic larval duration of many marine species ranges from weeks to
months. Recent studies have shown the existence of small-scale population structuring in some
planktonic spawning species, providing evidence that some larvae settle close to their population of
origin. Gene flow from/to an isolated island can be disrupted by deep open ocean channels and variable
currents among islands, and island archipelagos can generate a current scheme inducing local larval
retention, self recruitment, and thereby genetic structuring among populations. My PhD research is
focusing on gene flow (connectivity) and speciation among populations of marine molluscs from
isolated islands. I will use samples from the Kermadec Islands; NZ's offshore and subantarctic islands
(Chathams, Bounty, Antipodes, Snare, Campbell and Auckland); Palmyra Atoll (a US territory); the
Pitcairn Island group; Juan Fernandez Island and Easter Island (Chilean islands). I will assess the
genetic structuring of molluscan populations using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. I will also use
morphometric analysis to test the taxonomic status (i.e., morphospecies) of some species and subspecies
as compared to my molecular results. My PhD work will inform agencies such as the Department of
Conservation (NZ) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (USA) about putative endemic species, and help to
design an interconnected network of marine reserves or refuges based on scientific estimates of genetic
connectivity among islands, several of which are already World Heritage Sites or Marine Reserves or
proposed Marine Reserves.
BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGIC, AND OCEANOGRAPHIC INTERACTION ON THE MACQUARIE RIDGE:
OBSERVATIONS FROM A MULTIDISCIPLINARY VOYAGE TO THE SOUTHERN OCEAN
Ashley Rowden • [email protected]
Helen Bostock
Mike Williams
A New Zealand-Australia research voyage in April 2008 spent a month surveying the physical
oceanography, geology, biology, and marine chemistry along the Macquarie Ridge. Multidisciplinary
voyages such as this allow for a more holistic understanding of the marine environment as they benefit
from the many synergies and overlaps between the different disciplines. The Macquarie Ridge is a
relatively understudied region of the world, yet it plays an important role in the Southern Ocean as it is
one of only three ridges/plateaus that obstruct the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) forcing this
major current through narrow gaps in the ridge and diverting it from its normal path. A series of
moorings deployed in the two gaps in the ridge measured changes in the flow and the temperature and
salinity over a year. Temperature and salinity profiles along the ridge will be compared with data
collected from voyages in the 1960s to look for evidence of subtle climate-related changes. Ten
seamounts were surveyed along the ridge to look at geographical changes in the composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages. The assemblages that were sampled using epibenthic sleds and the NIWA
Deep Towed Imaging System (DTIS) will be compared to those found on other seamounts in the New
Zealand region. There are many questions about the importance of seamounts as biodiversity hotspots
and acting as stepping stones for the dispersal of organisms in the oceans which will be addressed by
the findings of the Macquarie Ridge study. Several sediment cores were recovered from the basins
adjacent to the Macquarie Ridge to look for long term changes in the ACC related to glacial/interglacial
climate cycles. Water samples collected during the voyage will be used to calculate the carbonate
saturation states at different depths along the latitudinal transect. These will be compared to the
distribution of the carbonate precipitating organisms on the seamounts and microfossils in the
sediment cores.
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DETERMINING THE SEX OF FIORDLAND BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS USING DORSAL FIN PHOTOGRAPHS
Lucy Rowe • [email protected]
Steve Dawson
Sexing cetaceans usually requires time-consuming observation, or genetic sexing via biopsy sampling
or skin swabbing. We developed a method to determine the sex of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) in
Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, using laser-metric dorsal fin photographs. From dorsal fin photographs of
43 bottlenose dolphins of known sex we analyzed the shape, proportion of fin area covered in scarring
and epidermal lesions, and the number of fin nicks. A logistic regression applied to all measured
variables, and measurements of dorsal fin size, indicated that the proportion of dorsal fin scarring (P <
0.001), number of fin nicks (P < 0.01) and dorsal fin surface area (P < 0.01) were significant variables and
together correctly predicted the sex of 93% (40/43) of the dolphins. The model was applied to lasermetric dorsal fin photographs of bottlenose dolphins from Dusky Sound and predicted the sexes of 79
individuals (representing 98-99% of adults and sub-adults). When our predictions were corrected for
animals of known sex, the resulting sex ratio was 35 males to 44 females, not significantly different to
an expected 1:1 ratio (P = 0.312). The method is quick and non-invasive to apply, and further increases
the value of dorsal fin photo-identification pictures.
INVESTIGATING ROCK-WALL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN DOUBTFUL SOUND THROUGH THE USE OF
PERMANENT PHOTOQUADRATS
Angela Rowe • [email protected]
Miles Lamare
Chris Cornelisen
Permanent photo-quadrats have been used in long-term monitoring projects worldwide to monitor
growth, recruitment and mortality in a number of environments. Environmental monitoring of
epifaunal rock-wall communities has taken place in Doubtful Sound since 1997, and ever since 2006 has
incorporated the use of permanent photo-quadrats to improve the ability to detect spatial and temporal
changes in community composition. This study investigates the use of permanent photo-quadrats to
detect and examine spatial and seasonal changes in rock wall communities of Doubtful Sound. Photos
collected during summer and winter at both inner and outer fiord sites were analysed using the
random dot method, and percentage cover, taxa richness and species diversity was calculated. A
preliminary investigation revealed that photographs taken in January 2006 and July 2007 exhibited a
significant difference between inner and outer-fiord sites, and between the two depths sampled (4 and
7 meters). No significant differences were found between seasons, although changes in the abundance
of ephemeral species were observed. Although not quantified, the photographs show strong potential
for examining recruitment processes and growth rates of sessile invertebrates. Future investigations
aim to extend on these findings by examining differences within a given year, as well as studying a
wider depth range for a number of sites distributed throughout the Doubtful-Thompson Sound system.
MARINE RESERVE CONNECTIVITY AND LARVAE MOVEMENT IN CENTRAL NEW ZEALAND: IS COOK
STRAIGHT A BARRIER FOR DISPERSAL?
Pelayo Salinas de León • [email protected]
Jonathan Gardner
James Bell
Marine reserves (MRs) are widely utilised to protect marine ecosystems that are at risk from
anthropogenic disturbances and overexploitation of marine resources. There is growing scientific
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evidence that indicates that MRs are a successful tool in protecting specific species, habitats or diversity
hotspots, or increase fisheries yields within the reserves. Another potential benefit of MRs is that larvae
may be exported from MRs to adjacent areas (termed spillover) and therefore may help sustain
populations beyond reserve boundaries but the importance of larval outflow and the link adjacent MR
and non-MR area has received little attention in the design of MRs. We are developing microsatellite
markers for two common species of marine gastropods, Austrolittorina cincta and Austrolittorina
antipodium. These markers will be used to determine the relative levels of isolation and the potential
role of Cook Strait as a barrier for dispersal between populations separated by similar distances,
including three marine reserves. These newly developed markers together with other already available
will be also used to detect the presence of larvae in the water column at different distances from an
isolated source and together with recruitment studies we will be able to obtain an estimate of how far
larvae from different rocky shore invertebrates travels.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF DIATOMS AND PHYTOPLANKTON PIGMENTS IN THE SURFACE SEDIMENTS
OF DOUBTFUL SOUND, FIORDLAND, NEW ZEALAND
Susanne Schüller • [email protected]
Candida Savage
Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, experiences naturally high rainfall and anthropogenic freshwater inputs
from the Manapouri tailrace into the head of the fjord. The additional freshwater inflow has changed
the physical oceanography of the fjord by increasing the thickness of the low salinity layer (LSL) and
changing the physicochemical and biological conditions near the tailrace. In this study, we
characterised the flux of phytoplankton to the benthos in the Doubtful Sound fjord complex by
quantifying phytoplankton pigments and diatom composition in surface sediments. The phytoplankton
pigments can be used as biomarkers of the relative abundance of phytoplankton classes while the
diatom counts give quantitative estimates of a defined phytoplankton group. The relative abundance of
diatoms and pigment concentrations in surface sediments were evaluated with respect to
environmental factors and showed strong spatial gradients consistent with variance in physicochemical
characteristics and bathymetry. In particular, we noted differences in phytoplankton community
composition and total algal abundance between the inner and outer fjord regions with higher relative
abundances of diatoms near the tailrace and in the inner arms. The spatial distribution of
phytoplankton in surface sediments therefore largely reflects the strong physicochemical gradients in
Doubtful Sound and highlights across-fjord differences in carbon flux to the benthos.
SEASONAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION IN THE ABUNDANCE OF CHAETODONTIDS (BUTTERFLYFISHES)
IN HONG KONG’S CORAL COMMUNITIES
Kwok Ho Shea • [email protected]
Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson
Despite the extensive coastline of Hong Kong and the social and economic importance of fish in the
region, there is relatively little information available on coral reef fishes. This is in notable contrast to
many other Hong Kong faunas that have been well studied including birds, mammals, reptiles and
amphibians. The current research, therefore, aims to quantitatively describe the abundance, community
structure and seasonal distribution patterns of chaetodontids (butterflyfishes) in Hong Kong's coral
communities. Furthermore, the study also examines certain environmental variables, including live
coral coverage, substrate complexity and temperature correlate with, assemblage structure of
chaetodontids in Hong Kong's coral communities. Nine widely dispersed field sites, differing in live
coral cover, were surveyed using snorkeling and SCUBA diving during a 3-month period in summer
and winter. Fourteen species in two genera (Chaetodon & Heniochus) were ascertained including 2
species, Chaetodon kleinii and Chaetodon bennetti, that have never been reported from Hong Kong waters
before. All communities were dominated both in abundance and distribution range by three species:
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Chaetodon speculum, Chaetodon auriga and Chaetodon auripes. Also, seasonal variation in relative
abundance was noted, with higher abundances in summer than in winter. Nevertheless, although
chaetodontids are intimately related to living corals, correlation analysis found that the amount of live
hard coral coverage did not explain assemblages of chaetodontid fishes and that substrate complexity
showed a significant relationship to the presence of butterflyfishes. Results highlight the need for
further studies relating to behavioural changes of fishes in relation to water temperature.
INFLUENCE OF FLOW SPEED ON THE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF A PASSIVE SUSPENSION FEEDER
Jeffrey Shimeta • [email protected]
Numerous marine invertebrates suspension feed passively by extending appendages into the flow (e.g.
polychaetes, echinoderms, corals, hydroids, bryozoans, etc.). It is assumed that their feeding rates are
directly related to flow speed and food concentration (or food flux), although the shapes of these
functions have been studied for only a few taxa. I measured the functional response (feeding rate vs.
food concentration) at different flow strengths for the spionid polychaete, Polydora cornuta. Spionids
capture particles on two tentacular palps that are held in a coil which is tightened in response to
increasing flow. I videotaped feeding by individual worms in a seawater flume and quantified their
particle contact rates, capture rates, and retention efficiencies. In weak flow the capture rate was
directly related to concentration, but in strong flow the capture rate was constant (independent of
concentration). The critical flow speed for this loss of relationship between capture rate and
concentration depended on worm size and on food-particle size. There was no variation in particle
retention efficiency; thus, the results must be explained by the process of particle contact. Tightened
coiling of the palps in strong flow may alter the flow pattern in a way that reduces the area for particle
contact, effectively saturating the contact rate at a lower particle concentration. Feeding rate is therefore
not a simple function of food flux, but it is affected by flow-induced deformation of feeding structures
(in this case under behavioural control), which can place a limit on feeding in strong flow.
EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION ON BIVALVE BIOTURBATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR
SEDIMENT TRANSPORT
Julia Simpson • [email protected]
Conrad Pilditch
Andrew Lohrer
Urbanisation in coastal catchments has significantly increased not only the input of terrestrial sediment
to the marine environment but also the input of contaminants. In Auckland, metals have accumulated
in the upper estuarine muddy sediment and metal contamination has been detected on downstream
intertidal sandflats. Sub-lethal levels of heavy metal contamination may affect the growth and
behaviour of benthic organisms, which in turn may influence key ecosystem processes and
productivity. The aim of this study was to examine whether the burial rate of an ecologically important
bivalve species (Austrovenus stutchburyi) differed between contaminated and non-contaminated sites
and if so, how this affected the sediment stability and transport. Sediment transport is likely dependent
on bivalve density, so was also investigated. A. stutchburyi were collected from two populations in the
Tamaki estuary; a contaminated site at Tiraumea and a non-contaminated site at Glendowie. The test
substrate consisted of undisturbed non-contaminated muddy-sand sediment collected from the
Whitford estuary. Sediment and bivalves were placed in annular flumes and video cameras were used
to estimate burial rates as a function of source population and density (0 - 1800 ind. m-2). After 14 h
(during which time A. stutchburyi had buried) sediment erosion rates were determined as a function of
flow speed (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 cm s-1). Initial results suggest that bivalve bioturbation is an
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important factor regulating sediment stability and subsequently transport. However, differences in
burial rates between contaminated and non-contaminated source populations have not yet been
detected.
AGE, GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF WHITESPOTTED BAMBOO SHARK (CHILOSCYLLIUM
PLAGIOSUM)
Ying Tung Sin • [email protected]
Yvonne Sadovy de Mitcheson
The Whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) is a small, benthic species and the most
abundant shark in Hong Kong waters, now that other, mainly larger, shark species only rarely occur in
Hong Kong waters. The maximum length of this species collected is about 80 cm. Although this species
occasionally enters the local fishery, its biology is not known in this region and a study on the age,
growth and reproduction was conducted, together with market surveys. Ageing of this species by
vertebral ring count with OTC validation reveals that the maximum age is 7 years. Age at first maturity
is about 4–5 years old for both males and females. From the von Bertalanffy growth function, Lmax=
59.98 and K=0.79, indicating that this species is relatively fast growing and short-lived. The females of
this oviparous shark mature at the size of 66 cm, with an egg laying period from April to May, as
supported by Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) and histological examination of the ovaries. The relatively
large size of maturation for female shark makes it vulnerable to fishing since many are captured before
they have a chance to reproduce with possible resultant growth- and recruitment-overfishing as a
consequence. This is further supported by observations of immature fish dominating the catch, with
very few mature fish found in local retail markets.
THE EFFECTS OF DRILL FLUID ON SURVIVAL RATES OF ARTEMIA
Helen Smith • [email protected]
Murray Thomson
Although 75% of the earth is covered in water, the deep-sea is the least studied ecosystem, and the
impact of anthropogenic activities such as deep-sea drilling is unclear. At present, oil and gas
companies extract natural resources in order to meet society's increasing energy demands. The deep sea
ecosystem, however, is characterised by its naturally slow regeneration rate, and is consequently
thought to be less adaptable to fluctuations and disturbances. Although oil companies practice
environmentally sustainable oil and gas extraction, at present, there are not many ecological studies of
the effects of drilling on deep-sea benthos, and hence there is an urgent need to expand our biological
knowledge of the deep sea in its present state. Brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) were used as a
convenient study organism to investigate the possible toxic effects of drilling fluid. A. franciscana larvae
were placed in wells containing drilling fluid extract (four wells per treatment, ten A. franciscana per
well), and the number of live brine shrimps after 18 hours of exposure was recorded. A positive
correlation between survival rate and drilling fluid concentration (p < 0.001) was found. This result was
significant (p < 0.05) when exposure exceeded 9 hours, and when the drilling fluid extract was greater
than 1 part in 40. This result demonstrates that the study drill fluid is non-toxic to A. franciscana and
that this drill-fluid environment enhances survival. Future studies on other deep sea organisms will
determine if they too are positively affected by drill fluid.
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MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION WITHIN THE BROWN SEAWEED CARPOPHYLLUM FLEXUOSUM
Keren Spong • [email protected]
Richard Taylor
This study examines morphological variation within the brown seaweed Carpophyllum flexuosum. C.
flexuosum occurs on rocky reefs subject to a range of wave exposures. A previous study showed that on
sheltered reefs C. flexuosum are longer, have wider and longer laminae, more vesicles and fewer degrees
of branching, than plants on wave-exposed reefs. On exposed reefs C. flexuosum is often the only
seaweed species present in the urchin barrens habitat. At ten northeast New Zealand sites varying in
depth, habitat and wave exposure I quantified the morphology of C. flexuosum and the abundances of
associated seaweeds and large invertebrate herbivores. C. flexuosum from wave-exposed sites were
shorter than those from sheltered sites, but multivariate analysis of numerous morphological variables
revealed a continuum of forms, rather than a dichotomy of 'exposed' and 'sheltered' forms. The short
form was found to have persisted at several sites for more than two decades. Few species of macroalgae
were found in association with C. flexuosum. The urchin Evechinus chloroticus was abundant at waveexposed sites.
MANGROVE SEDIMENTATION IN TAURANGA HARBOUR
Debra Stokes • [email protected]
T Healy
In recent years mangrove expansion has become a coastal management issue in the North Island of
New Zealand, with mangroves often being linked to increases in sedimentation and muddiness in the
public eye. Quantification of bed level changes and estuarine sediment texture was undertaken as part
of a larger PhD study of Tauranga Harbour mangrove expansion. Field sites included Welcome Bay,
Waikareao Estuary and Waikaraka Estuary.
CHANGES IN BENTHIC COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR: THE IMPACT OF
INVASIVE SPECIES
Michael Townsend • [email protected]
Drew Lohrer
Anna John
Luca Chiaroni
Andrew Miller
In his analysis of benthic soft-sediment communities of the Waitemata Harbour, Powell (1937)
presented the distributions of several broad faunal associations. Sixty years later, Hayward et al. (1997)
revisited Powell's sampling stations, re-examining community structure and found that many of the
original communities had changed. The benthic communities of the 1990s included several nonindigenous species that had 'invaded' since Powell's original survey. The Asian date mussel Musculista
senhousia, the East Asian bivalve Theora lubrica and file shell Limaria orientalis had become established as
dominant members of several faunal associations. Hayward et al. (1997) also reported that the native
New Zealand Horse mussel, Atrina zelandica, had entered the harbour while the spatial extent of the
Spatangoid heart urchin, Echinocardium cordatum, association had reduced. In our 2008 study, we
revisited a number of Powell and Hayward's sites to elucidate any shifts in community structure that
have occurred in the last 10 to 12 years. Focusing on specific faunal associations, we quantified
macrobenthos and sediment characteristics at 5 sites (cores, quadrats and video footage). Despite
differences in sampling methods between our study and Hayward et al. (1997), changes in faunal
composition were obvious. Most notably, densities of invasive bivalves were high in subtidal habitats
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where they had not been previously reported. Our predictions of native - invasive species interactions
in the Waitemata Harbour, and their potential importance to NIS establishment and impact, will be
discussed.
GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT THERE
Jennifer Upton • [email protected]
I am a primary school teacher currently on a New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology
Teacher Fellowship. My project with Associate Professor Liz Slooten at Otago University covers the full
spectrum from gathering field data on Hector's dolphin to communicating the results to the public.
Surveys of distribution and movements of Hector's dolphin between Banks Peninsula and Otago will
help determine the rate of movement between populations. One of my main objectives is to inform the
general public about the conservation threats to Hector's dolphin and to show how this knowledge has
been gained. I have used my teaching experience to create a variety of presentations and activities to
show how research is conducted and how conclusions are made based on the results of the research.
My poster will show examples of these and talk about the successes and challenges of my work. These
may be of interest also to researchers and educators dealing with other marine science and marine
education topics.
THE EFFECTS OF MUSSEL MARICULTURE ON BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY STRUCTURES OFF
EASTERN WAIHEKE ISLAND
Clara Wong • [email protected]
Steve O'Shea
Benthic invertebrate soft-sediment communities between 5 and 30 m depth off eastern Waiheke Island,
Hauraki Gulf, are described following analysis of 226 recently collected seabed samples. Resulting data
are used to determine the biological footprint of an existing mussel farm in the region, and compared
with the only other information available for it, that from sampling undertaken in the early 1930s.
LIFE HISTORY OF LONGHEADED EAGLE RAY, AETOBATUS FLAGELLUM, IN ARIAKE BAY, JAPAN
Atsuko Yamaguchi • [email protected]
The longheaded eagle ray, Aetobatus flagellum, has recently increased in number abruptly in southwestern coastal areas of Japan. We examined their life history in Ariake Bay. The eagle ray is a seasonal
visitor to Ariake Bay, increasing in number from April, and peaking during the summer. Females grew
to a larger size than males and apparently lived longer. The maximum ages in the specimens were 19
years for females and 9 years for males. Age and size at 50% sexual maturity was 3.7 years and 773 mm
for males and 5.2 years and 923 mm for females. Mating, ovulation, fertilizations and parturition
occurred between August and September. The gestation period was approximately 12 months
including a protected period of embryonic diapause or delayed development. Embryos grew rapidly
between June and August. The embryo size at birth was 350 mm disc width (DW). The fecundity was
relatively low that ranged from 1 to 6 embryos. The eagle ray fed only on bivalves, especially Ruditapes
philippinarum and Atrina pectinata, which are very important farmed species.
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SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION MECHANISMS IN PERNA CANALICULUS
Tim Young • [email protected]
Andrea Alfaro
John Robertson
The native mussel, Perna canaliculus, is a commercially important species for New Zealand. Current
methods of spat collection involve harvesting natural stocks, although in recent years there has been a
move towards hatchery production. At a suitable larval age, juveniles are seeded onto artificial
substrates where their retention is highly variable. The factors responsible for this settlement variability
are still largely unknown, although physical and chemical cues are thought to be of critical importance.
In wild populations, larvae remain planktonic for up to 6 weeks after which they undergo primary
settlement. This involves attachment to specific substrates, which may be largely controlled by chemical
cues. However, the specific chemicals involved in this process, and the mechanisms by which they act
as attractants to mussel larvae are not known. In order to investigate the involvement of possible
biochemical pathways in P. canaliculus, the effects of neuroactive chemicals on settlement behaviour
were investigated. Thus, important components of the signal transduction mechanism have been
identified.
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RESEARCH NEWS
Auckland Regional Council
http://www.arc.govt.nz
Over the past year Auckland Regional Council (ARC) has continued its ‘State of the Environment’
(SOE) monitoring. The quality of the marine environment is monitored through five SOE monitoring
programmes. Together they provide consistent, long-term information on the environmental quality of
Auckland’s marine environment. The following components are monitored:
• Saline Water Quality Programme (27 sites) monitors contaminants associated with erosion,
nutrients and biological wastes in the water column.
• Shellfish Contaminant Monitoring Programme (11 sites) indirectly monitors chemical
contaminants in the water column using in-situ oysters and deployed mussels.
• Sediment Contaminant Programme (27 sites) monitors chemical contaminant levels in near-shore
sediments.
• Benthic Ecology Programme (20 sites) monitors temporal changes in specific sediment dwelling,
ecological communities in the Mahurangi, Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. A second tier
ecological programme tracks long-term (decadal) shifts in habitat availability and quality
throughout the region.
• Beach Profile Programme (16 sites) monitors long-term changes in foreshore accretion or erosion.
The value of the marine SoE programmes is greatly enhanced through linkages to other issue-specific
marine monitoring and research projects, primarily focused on the effects of sediment and contaminant
generation due to land use and development. They extend the regional coverage of environmental data
to include information on the:
• Ecology and sedimentation of subtidal reefs off East Coast Bays and Orewa;
• Benthic ecology, sedimentation and sediment contamination of the Upper Waitemata Harbour;
• Benthic ecology and sedimentation in east coast estuaries;
• Benthic ecology and sediment contamination at 72 sites potentially subject to urban stormwater.
These programmes have been running variously for 8–21 years and provide a valuable pool of
information describing the state of the regions marine environment which will sumarise the key
findings from our monitoring and research programmes using an indicator format. The key objectives
of the 2009 SoE report are;
• Provide access to scientifically credible, robust, timely and relevant infomraiton on the current
environmental conditions and trends in Auckland.
• To identify driving forces and direct pressures influencing environmental change and quality of
life in Auckland.
• To identify the possible implications of environmental trends.
• To assist decision-making in policy development, implementation and resource management. To
raise public awareness and understanding of environmental issues in order to improve the way
we use, manage and value the environment.
Following the production of a hard copy report, a wider range of indicators will be reported using a
web based reporting system which will be updated annually.
There is two staff managing the marine montiroing and research programmes, Jarrod Walker
specialising in reef ecology and Megan Stewart in soft sediment ecology. Both have a research
background in land based effects in the marine environment.
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In addition to baseline monitoring the ARC has been carrying out specific investigations:
• A study of potential future mangrove-habitat expansion in Auckland's east coast estuaries has
been completed. The study brings together existing information on factors driving mangrovehabitat expansion, including recent FRST-funded research in the Firth of Thames as well as aerial
photographic surveys, field and modelling studies
• A detailed survey of Tamaki Strait is currently being completed and a report will be received in
June 2009. This survey provides habitat maps and benthic community information.
• A choice modelling exercise is being conducted to look at what value people place on ecosystem
values and how this can be affected by relative distance from the ecosystem being considered.
Dominic McCarthy is the manager of ARC’s Coastal Policy team that has been involved in;
• Investigations underpinning development of a new regional aquaculture policy framework using
tools provided by the recent aquaculture law reform,
• Notifying a proposed plan change to the Auckland Regional Plan: Coastal to better address
mangrove related issues.
POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS
ARC support students through a 2 year ARC Student Partnership Programme, which involves full time
summer work with ARC at the beginning of their MSc and a stipend during their research year.
MSc
Ian McLeod: The environmental and ecological services of Perna canaliculus in soft sediment systems.
University of Auckland.
Emily Duder: Comparison of a native (Ecklonia radiata) and invasive (Undaria pinnatifida) kelp in
relation to mussel aquaculture. University of Auckland.
Peter Williams: Trophic structure and functioning of larger (>10cm) fish assemblages in northern New
Zealand estuaries. University of Auckland.
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Cawthron Institute
www.cathron.co.nz
AQUACULTURE GROUP
The focus of this group is shellfish aquaculture, and research on large-scale spat production and
shellfish selective breeding is carried out at the Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The group is led by
Henry Kaspar, with scientists Achim Janke, Steve Webb, Kevin Heasman, Serean Adams, Samantha
Gale, Nick King, Andrew Fidler, Norman Ragg, Liz Keys, Aditya Kesarcodi-Watson and Olin
Pilcher. They are supported by a team of technicians, in addition to three long-term industry
secondments.
Major Aquaculture Research Programmes
CRYOPRESERVATION
Methods for live-freezing and thawing shellfish sperm, eggs, embryos and larvae will provide
important tools in the shellfish selective breeding programme, and give flexibility and efficiency in the
production of commercial quantities of shellfish spat for New Zealand aquaculture industries.
Methods for cryopreserving oyster and mussel sperm are well developed and rearing of larvae from
cryopreserved mussel and oyster eggs is thought to be a world first. We continue to refine and develop
these methods to cater for commercial scale batches.
GREENSHELL™ MUSSEL
The highly successful selective breeding programme continues to develop: families selected on the basis
of simple growth characteristics (e.g. shell length, meat weight) continue to show very encouraging
improvements in gain with each new generation. New research now aims to refine selection criteria,
looking at growth efficiency, physiological robustness and processing characteristics. A substantial
research effort conducted by Cawthron and staff seconded from the mussel industry has now identified
the major husbandry hurdles associated with the hatchery production of young mussels. Commercial
scale batches of mussel larvae are now produced at Cawthron’s Glenhaven aquaculture centre, while
on-going trials continue to fine-tune the larval rearing process.
OPEN OCEAN AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture and structural design aspects of open ocean fish and shellfish farming are being
investigated in conjunction with other groups in Cawthron and various industry parties. Results to
date indicate that OOA is technically feasible and provides a major opportunity for the growth of New
Zealand aquaculture.
AQUACULTURE BIOFOULING
Collaboration continues with shellfish industries locally and overseas, regarding the control and
mitigation of biofouling on aquaculture structures (in conjunction with Cawthron’s Aquatic
Biotechnology Group).
PACIFIC OYSTER
The benefits of high quality single-seed spat have lead to more oyster growers using hatchery spat.
Cawthron’s production of most of the New Zealand industry’s hatchery spat needs has enabled the
continued evolution from stick culture to single-seed cultivation. The ongoing selective breeding
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programme for Pacific oysters continues to provide producers with benefits in both yield and product
quality.
SHELLFISHERIES:
Paua
Cawthron continues to offer substantial R&D assistance to the fishery. One major project focuses on
optimizing techniques for handling live paua and fresh meat prior to canning. Practical guidance is
provided to numerous reseeding projects being conducted around NZ by fishery stakeholders.
Assistance is also being provided to the fishery to help develop fine-scale geographic monitoring of
fishing areas using data collected by the industry.
Lobsters
Techniques for extending survival period during live transport are being examined, with the potential
to open major new international markets to the NZ rock lobster industry.
Shellfish Health
A pathology survey of scallops (Pecten novaezelandiae) from Pelorus Sound disclosed a new condition
consisting of many small (10-15 micron) vacuolar inclusions throughout the tissues at high prevalences
and intensities. Such features have not been reported before in scallops. Similar conditions have been
seen in crustaceans: one caused by bacteria and another by a fungus. Clearly, further work is required
to identify this organism and ascertain its virulence.
Experiments are under way to ascertain any relationship between pathogen loads and culture density
of flat oysters (Ostrea chilensis). The pathogens Bonamia exitiosa and Apicomplexan X (APX) will be
monitored and results will allow optimum holding densities to be achieved.
AQUACULTURE GENETICS
Gene expression profiling, using semi-quantitative PCR, targeting four selected candidate genes, has
proven useful in both confirming and refining Greenshell™ mussel gametogenesis stages which,
previously, were defined solely on the basis of histology. Preliminary population genetic analyses of
variation in a functional gene have highlighted the enormously high levels of translated sequence
polymorphism in the Greenshell™ mussel genome (a feature apparently common amongst marine
invertebrates). This finding raises the issue of a possible high ‘genetic load’ within natural Greenshell™
mussel populations, with implications for any mussel selective breeding.
HATCHERY BIOTECHNOLOGY
Work continues on scaling up the continuous culture of Chaetoceros calcitrans. Large-scale, reliable
production of this micro-algal strain as live feed in shellfish hatcheries will be a significant advance for
mussel spat production.
Research into probiotics for larval rearing of Greenshell™ mussel is the subject of a PhD project
(collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney). Two probiotic strains have been identified
and demonstrated to improve larval survival against pathogen attack by 18% to 52% when compared
with larvae not administered the probiotic. These trials were conducted during hatchery production at
the GACL. These strains offer added health protection during larval rearing and methods to easily
administer them are being investigated.
We have replaced our original procedure for triploid mussel and oyster production with a procedure
that does not involve toxic chemicals but still has given us 100% triploidy. Triploid oyster spat will be
available for commercial on-growing towards the end of 2009.
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COASTAL & FRESHWATER GROUP
Cawthron’s Coastal & Freshwater group combines the expertise of both marine and freshwater
ecologists to provide research and advisory services to a wide range of regulators and businesses
needing assistance with requirements of the Resource Management Act where aquatic ecosystems are
affected.
The group has specific expertise in:
• Marine farming and fisheries: Assessing the sustainability of marine farming and fishing activities,
assisting stakeholders in improving the sustainability of marine farming and fishing operations,
developing resource and environmental management tools.
• Discharges and contaminants: the effects on land, water and sediments.
• Coastal and estuary health: knowledge and advice on monitoring, mapping, management and
restoration.
• Resource management: advice and knowledge on coastal and estuarine systems for Regional
Resource Management Plans
• Biosecurity: Risk assessment, incursion response tools, marine pest and biofouling management.
There are 25 fulltime and 4 part time staff in the group. This past year has seen the departure of Kim
Clark overseas and Dan Govier into outdoor sports goods retailing. Our most recent marine ecologist
arrivals are Dr Deanna Clement and Dr Dave Taylor.
Since joining us Deanna has assessed the potential effects of various coastal developments on NZ
marine mammals including: Lyttelton Port Company dredging, Endocrine Disrupting Compounds and
microbiological pathogens in treated wastewater at Bream Bay, acid mine drainage effluent disposal
and farming shellfish and other non-finfish species. Deanna and Paul have assessed the environmental
effects of a duplicate sewage pipeline being constructed across Waimea Estuary. Deanna will also be
helping Paul Gillespie in monitoring several estuaries for district councils around NZ including
Delaware Inlet, the Haven, and Maungawhio (Napier).
David Taylor is assisting Nigel Keeley with marine farming assessments, in particular with salmon
farm seabed monitoring in the Marlborough Sounds and monitoring of mussel spat-catching and largescale ocean-farming activities in Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. He is also continuing work on nearshore
oceanographic processes with the Marine Ecology Research Group at the University of Canterbury.
Research by Barrie Forrest and his team into marine biosecurity risks and management options
continues as part of the NIWA/Cawthron Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity OBI. Ongoing work led
by Richard Piola uses a magnetic plate method to investigate the survivorship of hull fouling
organisms on vessels plying domestic and international routes, while Grant Hopkins is investigating
options for managing biofouling risks from merchant vessels and oil rigs. After identifying ships’ sea
chests as an important vector for the spread of marine pests, Richard has been working with
engineering students from the University of Canterbury to assess the efficacy of in situ hot
water treatment as a management tool, in association with Pacifica Shipping.
The role of artificial structures as beach-heads for the incursion for marine pests and as reservoirs for
their spread to natural habitats is the subject of OBI research led by Barrie Forrest. The fouling sea
squirt Didemnum vexillum has been used as a model organism to address these questions, with Lauren
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Fletcher, a PhD student from Victoria University, investigating the reproductive biology, dispersal and
impacts of this species. Barrie has also explored whether natural barriers to the spread of Didemnum
and other invasive species can serve as ‘internal borders’ around which vector control, surveillance and
incursion response systems can be developed. This work has been underpinned by the PhD research of
Hernando Acosta from AUT, who has developed Tasman/Golden Bay regional models for the humanmediated and natural spread of pest species. Evaluation of the feasibility of novel methods (e.g.
biocontrol) for management of aquaculture fouling pests is an exciting area of new research currently
being started by the marine biosecurity team.
Various biosecurity management projects have also been conducted under contract to MAF Biosecurity
New Zealand, including an ongoing survey of biofouling on international fishing vessels. A risk-based
framework for establishing biosecurity management priorities is being trialled by Jim Sinner, Marg
O'Brien and Richard Piola in another MAF project that seeks to development a biosecurity
management plan for the Fiordland region. An Envirolink project conducted by Richard Piola and
Barrie Forrest is investigating managing options to address biosecurity risks from recreational vessel
marinas, as part of a Top-of-the-South Biosecurity Strategy.
Robyn Dunmore has been working with Richard Piola and Barrie Forrest on an experimental
evaluation of spray treatments for managing marine pests, produced for MAF Biosecurity New
Zealand. Robyn has continued annual monitoring of the rock wall communities in Doubtful Sound,
and along with others in the group has been assisting Chris Cornelisen in the preparation of the
biological report for the amended tailrace discharge to Doubtful Sound, for Meridian Energy. Robyn
has also been helping Nigel Keeley, Reid Forrest and Paul Gillespie with annual seabed monitoring at
marine farm sites and assessment of effects of potential farms.
Paul Barter and his impact assessment team Ross Sneddon and Claire Conwell are in constant demand
for advising on the effects of a variety of point and non-point source discharges. Paul has developed a
desktop ecological database for council’s called CADDIS (Cawthron Archival and Data Delivery
Information System) and is designed to assist councils in their day-to-day analysis of ecological
datasets as well as standardising submission formats for national datasets like FBIS.
Our integrated catchment management (ICM) research continues with the coastal component, lead by
Paul Gillespie and assisted by Reid Forrest, investigating river outwelling influences that define the
river plume and coastal ecosystem effects, which will lead on to providing a blueprint for establishing
catchment-based management criteria for New Zealand’s coastal environment. Paul Barter contributes
expertise on gadgetry for in situ data collection and Ben Knight, Wiemin Jang and Chris Batstone
(Sustainable Business Group) contribute biophysical, ecosystem and social modeling expertise. Deanna
Clement uses GIS software to define spatial patterns of river plume characteristics.
Fenemor, A.D; Deans, N.A.; Davie, T.J.; Allen, W.; Dymond, J.; Kilvington, M.; Phillips, C.; Basher, L.;
Gillespie, P.; Young, R.; Sinner, J.; Harmsworth, G.; Atkinson, M.; Smith, R. 2008. Collaboration and
Modelling – Tools for Integration in the Motueka Catchment, New Zealand. Water South Africa 34: 448455.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS GROUP
This group, which consists of resource and system analysts and modellers, ecologists, a resource
economist and a project management specialist, was formally established in January 2006 with the goal
of assisting businesses to maximise value while minimising impacts on the environment. Managed by
Jim Sinner, the group focused on four key themes: sustainable fisheries and aquaculture;
environmental valuation; natural resource allocation and sustainability strategies for businesses.
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Major research projects during 2007 were open ocean aquaculture, Meridian’s high flow trial in
Doubtful Sound, indicators for sustainable mussel farming, and valuation of coastal use values in the
Auckland Region. The Open Ocean Aquaculture programme involved investigating new physical
structures suitable for shellfish farming in the open ocean, modelling how structures would perform in
the oceanic environment, and bioeconomic modelling to determine optimal farm management practices
for open ocean aquaculture farms.
The indicators project involved development and measurement of suitable parameters for certifying the
sustainability of shellfish production, a discussion that is now moving into a wider arena as
governments and NGOs consider developing standards.
Meridian’s high flow trial, in which Cawthron is leading a collaboration of scientists from multiple
organisations, is assessing whether Meridian can increase the flow through its existing facilities to
generate more renewable energy without adverse impacts on the high biodiversity values of Doubtful
Sound. This project is led by Chris Cornelisen of the Coastal and Freshwater Group, with significant
contributions from Ben Knight, Eric Goodwin and Weimin Jiang, and managed by Bethany Roberts.
Chris Batstone is leading a multi-year project for Auckland Regional Council to assess how values in
the coastal environment are impacted by stormwater runoff, and how these impacts might vary
depending on stormwater management options. This project also involves collaboration with
universities and other science providers.
During 2007, with the arrival of Jim Sinner, the Sustainable Business Group also initiated work on the
impacts of climate change on the seafood industries and the implications of the government’s emissions
trading scheme.
AQUATIC BIOTECHNOLOGIES GROUP
During 2008 Cawthron established the Aquatic Biotechnologies Group to lead the development and
application of new and emerging technologies for environmental monitoring, management of risks to
seafood safety and new products from marine and freshwater micro-organisms. The Group provides
technology based solutions to resource planners, environmental managers, councils, and the seafood
industry; as well as start-up businesses looking to develop new high value products.
The Group is managed by Danette Olsen and made up of 9 scientific and technical staff.
SEAFOOD SAFETY
The Cawthron-led FRST Seafood Safety Programme includes AgResearch, Plant & Food and ESR, was
set up in 2007 and is working with industry and regulators to develop a comprehensive approach to
seafood safety. Cawthron is also exploring real-time remote monitoring as a prospect and is
collaborating in research with AgResearch to define more closely the true potential for human harm
from the toxins. The joint toxicology work is also underpinning the setting of regulations worldwide for
toxic compounds. Cawthron scientists are Lesley Rhodes (Programme Leader) Pat Holland and
Lincoln MacKenzie, with technicians Veronica Beuzenberg and Janet Adamson. Krystyna Ponikla is
curator of the nationally significant Cawthron Institute Culture Collection of Micro-algae, which is
backed up by the successful cryopreservation of more than 20 micro-algal strains including shellfish
feed species, small dinoflagellates and diatoms in addition to some species of cyanobacteria (blue-green
algae). Cawthron’s marine biotoxin analytical laboratory and harmful phytoplankton monitoring
programme are major commercial laboratory service activities that originated from this research.
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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES
Environmental technologies is currently focused on developing and applying tools for improved
environmental management. Work includes the development of molecular tools for detection of
cyanobacteria (Dr Susie Wood) and invasive marine organisms (Dr Doug Mountfort, Kirsty Smith).
We are further developing Microbial Source Tracking (MST) techniques for identifying sources of
micro-organism contamination (e.g. bacteria) in aquatic systems such as rivers, streams (e.g. for
Regional Councils) and aquaculture growing areas (Dr Marek Kirs)
ALGAL TECHNOLOGIES
Algal technologies scientists Doug Mountfort, Mike Packer and Lincoln MacKenzie are researching
beneficial applications of active compounds in micro-algae and novel marine compounds and enzymes
which are useful for producing new products such as nutraceuticals. We are also investigating the
development of a hydrogenase electrode which involves incorporation of the algal enzyme
hydrogenase to act as catalyst in an electrochemical device. This might later be used as part of a biofuel
cell for the production and/or consumption of hydrogen as a fuel.
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Department of Conservation
The Department’s main marine science involvement is under the Marine Mammals Protection Act, the
Wildlife Act, the Marine Reserves Act, the Conservation Act, and statutory processes under the
Resource Management Act.
More information is available on the Department’s website
(www.doc.govt.nz), and the standard email address for DOC staff is [email protected].
AQUATIC AND THREATS UNIT
Department of Conservation, Wellington (Manager: Jeff Flavell).
The Aquatic and Threats Unit is part of DOC’s National Office. The unit has the following sections:
Marine Conservation Section (Manager, Simon Banks) with oversight of
• protection of marine priority species and priority sites, and ecosystem maintenance, marine
mammal protection and advice, advice on marine biodiversity protection; identification of
priority sites for marine protection; advice and support for marine reserves establishment; and
marine conservation communications and advocacy. National stakeholder engagement includes
co-ordination with Mfish (under the Marine Reserve Protocol), and development of proposals
relating to offshore marine protection.
• Research and science advice services to the department on protection and restoration of priority
marine species and priority sites including captive rearing/translocation of seabirds; seabird
ecology; population investigations and recovery; marine mammal ecology; population
investigation and recovery; advice to the International Whaling Commission; marine
classification and identification of design, protection and monitoring for priority marine sites;
and science communication.
• Two new marine reserves were gazetted in 2008 (Tapuae in Taranaki and Taputeranga in
Wellington) bringing the number of marine reserves in New Zealand to a total of 33. The
Aotea/Great Barrier Island marine reserve application was turned down by the Ministry of
Fisheries. The Department is currently managing two formal applications for marine reserves
(Dan Rogers (Akaroa Harbour) and Tawharanui (Hauraki Gulf)).
Marine Protected Area Policy and Implementation
Current MPA Planning Processes include:
• West Coast Marine Protected Area Forum soon to release proposed draft recommendations for
community consultation
• Subantarctic Islands Marine Protected Area Forum developing recommendations for MPAs
• Hauraki Gulf – habitat mapping nearing completion and processes underway to set up forum.
• Otago-Southland – information collection and mapping underway
Staff of the Marine Conservation Team include:
Dr Dan Breen. Marine Protected Areas. Dan joined the Marine Conservation Team in 2008 to work on
the establishment of MPAs. This role initially involves providing advice and support to regions to
establish MPAs, broad scale mapping of the national coastal marine habitat classification and gap
analyses of current and proposed MPA networks and advice.
Danica Devery-Smith - Marine Protected Areas - Development and improvement of Marine reserve
applications and management processes, Advice and support on marine reserve application processing,
technical and operational policy advice on MPA Policy implementation Subantarctic Island Marine
Protection Project
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Sean Cooper - Marine Protected Areas, Protected Species - Subantarctic Island Marine Protection
Project, Hectors Dolphins Threat Management,
Steve Smith ([email protected]) - National Marine Mammal Coordinator, National Marine
mammals technical and operational management advice and support
Ann McCrone – Marine Protected Areas MPAs - Development and improvement of national marine
reserve monitoring procedures and standards.
Dr Louise Chilvers New Zealand sea lion scientist – undertaking research including population
dynamics and foraging ecology., Head of Delegation International Whaling Commission Scientific
Committee. Ecology, behaviour and population biology of marine mammals
Peter Moore Seabird scientist. Population ecology studies on seabirds: Yellow-eyed Penguin,
Albatrosses; particularly Campbell Island; shorebirds: Chatham Island Oystercatcher
Clinton Duffy Scientific Officer (Marine Conservation), supervised contracted research on modelling
inshore demersal and coastal rocky reef fish distributions, diversity and community composition; and
genetic connectivity of rocky reef algal and invertebrate assemblages. He has an ongoing research
project on the conservation biology of New Zealand white sharks, and co-ordinates recording of
observations of whale sharks, basking sharks and mobulid rays in New Zealand waters. He is also
involved in taxonomic research on deepwater squaloid dogfishes, including re-description of the
northern spiny dogfish (Squalus griffini), description of S. raoulensis sp. nov. from Kermadec Islands
and recognition of Harrisson’s dogfish (Centrophorus harrissoni) from the Norfolk, Three Kings and
Kermadec Ridges. He is based in Auckland Conservancy Office.
Dr Debbie Freeman Scientific Officer (Marine Ecology). Completed a research project on the ecology
of spiny lobsters on fished and unfished reefs. She is currently researching the use of remote operated
vehicles for survey and monitoring purposes and is leading a project aimed at describing the subtidal
habitats and trophic interactions around the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.
PLANNING UNIT – POLICY GROUP (Manager Guy Kerrison) that provides advice and support on
sustainable management of coastal areas under the RMA; aquaculture, and foreshore and seabed
management under new legislation. Key areas of work have included:
Aquaculture projects – implementation
The Department of Conservation is part of the whole of government Aquaculture Implementation
Teamthat aims to assist implementation of the aquaculture reform legislation enacted 1 January 2005.
Key projects the coastal team are involved in include:
• leading a project to assist Northland Regional Council to develop new space for aquaculture in the
Northland region
• input into other regional projects to develop new and existing space for aquaculture, such as
Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury
• preparing planning guidance for the establishment of aquaculture management areas and
additional support material
Aquaculture projects – policy – policy advice on technical amendments to aquaculture legislation. Bill
No.1 was enacted in Sept 2008 under relative urgency, amending 4 different Acts, to ensure the
legislation worked as intended. Bill No.2 is going through a full Select Committee process during
March and April. This Bill amends four different Acts again. It intends to introduce a new regime for
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experimental aquaculture, changes to the invited private plan change provisions, changes to Maori
settlement issues, and other technical changes.
• contributing feedback to an independent review of the aquaculture legislation and briefing to
Cabinet on options for wider legislation review.
Off-shore Islands Regional Coastal Plan
The Department is in the early stages of scoping an Off-Shore Island Regional Coastal Plan for the
Kermadec and Sudantarctic Islands. The main issues facing the islands is the prevention, via controls
under the Resource Management Act 1991, of biosecurity breaches and oil spills.
Restricted coastal activities and vesting of reclamations
The Minister of Conservation is responsible for deciding on coastal permit applications for restricted
coastal activities and vesting of reclamations. Numerous restricted coastal activity applications have
been processed including; reclamations, sewage discharges, seawalls, marinas, disturbance of foreshore
and seabed, marine farms, and the exclusive occupation of the coastal marine area. A number of
applications for the vesting of reclamations have also been processed.
New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2008 was notified in March 2008. A Board of Inquiry (BOI)
where appointed to inquire into and report on the proposal. Submissions closed on 7 May 2008. Over
500 submissions were accepted to the BOI. Hearings finished in December 2008 and the BOI is now
preparing a report to the Minister of Conservation. The Report is due on 31 March 2009.
MARINE CONSERVATION SERVICES SECTION (Manager: Johanna Pierre) runs the Conservation Services
Programme. The programme investigates adverse effects of commercial fishing on marine protected
species including: understanding and monitoring protected species interactions with commercial
fishing activities (e.g. through the protected species observer programme), monitoring the status of
protected species populations known to be incidentally taken in fishing operations, and developing
ways of mitigating the bycatch of protected species. Most population and mitigation projects are
contracted out by open tender. The section is also involved in other related work areas, including
collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries in developing government policy related to fisheries
interactions with protected species. For more information on MCS, see www.doc.govt.nz/mcs.
Staff of the Marine Conservation Services Section include:
Stephanie Rowe: Scientific officer with a focus on interaction projects, including the protected species
observer programme.
Igor Debski: Scientific Officer with a focus on population and mitigation projects.
DOC KNOWLEDGE SERVICES (key contact Sue Wilkins, Publishing Manager) is within the National
Office.
The team continues to assess, edit and publish contract research reports for its "DOC Research &
Development Series, DRDS" (formerly "DOC Science Internal Series, DSIS"), "Science for Conservation,
SFC" monographs, "DOC Technical Series, DOCTS" handbooks and a variety of newsletters, factsheets
and occasional "real books". Many of these works are relevant to the marine science community within
and outside New Zealand.
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Hardcopy is distributed to key individuals and libraries on a monthly basis; and PDF files of all new
publications are mounted in full on the website as they come out: see http://www.doc.govt.nz >
Publications > Science and Research, where the issues are listed (by series then year of publication). A
programme of retrospective pdf-ing up key publication pre-1999 is underway. A searchable database is
accessible at the website also. Single copies of publications under $35.00 are free of charge while stocks
last. We are happy to deal with orders (address see below).
Our listserver continues to advise subscribers of new DOC Publications as they come out; on average
two per week. Such notifications include bibliographic information with a full abstract and link to the
PDF on the website. An alternative, summary list sends out monthly summaries with bibliographic
information and links to PDFs only. If you'd like to subscribe to either list, please email us and specify
"detailed" or "monthly". A spruced-up printed monthly notice can be posted to you upon request.
Science & Technical Publishing, DOC, PO Box 10 420, Wellington, New Zealand
(fax+64-4-496 1929), mailto:[email protected] .
CONSERVANCIES
The Department includes 12 conservancies with marine responsibilities.
Northland Conservancy (Key contacts Paul Buisson & Vince Kerr)
Auckland Conservancy (Key contact Dr. Kala Sivaguru)
A deeper water fish baseline survey was completed in the proposed Great Barrier Island Marine
Reserve in 2006 (Langlois et al, 2006) and a benthic baseline survey was completed in March 2008 (.
BUV fish surveys was carried out in Cape Rodney Okakari Point Marine Reserve and in Tawharanui
Marine Park area in 2007 (Sivaguru 2008). Underwater visual census fish survey was completed in
Cape Rodney Okakari Point Marine Reserve and in Tawharanui Marine Park area in 2007 (Haggit &
Mead, 2008).
The conservancy also supported tagging of snapper inside and outside the Cape Rodney Marine
Reserve as part of a larger NIWA study of snapper movements in the Hauraki Gulf and is trialling Drift
Underwater Video (a technique described in Morrison and Carbines 2008) as a way to estimate fish
abundances at sites with limited visibility like Te Matuku Bay Marine Reserve.
Spatial analyst Stacey Byers has also been mapping marine habitats in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
from aerial photo, digitised fare sheets, interviews with scientists, field studies and other information to
support the North-Eastern MPA process.
Waikato Conservancy (Key contact Kristina Hillock)
Te Whanganui-a-Hei marine reserve (key contacts Kristina Hillock, Andrew Wills, Paul Gasson)
A fish survey was planned for May 2008 in the marine reserve, but due to adverse weather conditions it
was not completed. Lobster and benthic surveys are planned for April-May 2009.
Bay of Plenty Conservancy (Key contacts: Kim Young, Brendon Christensen, Alan Jones)
Wanganui Conservancy (key contact Helen Kettles and Bryan Williams/Callum Lilley (New
Plymouth Area Office)
Various contracts were managed during the year. Contractors completed broad-scale GIS based habitat
mapping of the intertidal substrate and vegetation of the Whanganui River Estuary, using methodology
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based on the National Estuary Monitoring Protocol. The mapping included macroalgal mapping,
sediment redox potential discontinuity (RPS) measurement and estuary condition ratings on
standardised indicators. Another contractor undertook work at the Manawatu Estuary and produced a
report on sedimentation, metal contamination and coastal landscape stability (Woods and Kennedy
2008). A student at Victoria University analysed a DOC drop camera dataset from the North and South
Traps near Patea (Bombosch 2008). Marine mammal sightings and stranding data for the region were
summarised and mapped for inclusion in the Taranaki Regional Council State of the Environment
Report.
The Tapuae Marine Reserve came into effect in May 2008 and a process is underway to determine the
management structure of the reserve. During 2008, the University of Waikato was contracted to
undertake a multi-beam survey of the reserve and produce a habitat map.
Ecological monitoring programmes (fish and rock-lobster surveys) continued in the Sugar Loaf Islands
Marine Protected Area, Tapuae Marine Reserve and Parininihi Marine Reserve. However, weather and
other disruptions led to an insufficient data set and also necessitated an extension of a contract by
marine ecological consultant Franz Smith on sessile invertebrate surveys of the Parininihi Marine
Reserve, adjacent reefs and Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area.
Fish, paua and rock-lobster surveys will be conducted in the summer 2008/2009 season and Victoria
University of Wellington scientists will begin work on the sponges of Parininihi Marine Reserve in
early 2009.
An increase in the number of beachcast and injured NZ fur seals was attributed to extremely rough seas
over the winter period. A mother and calf southern right whale were photographed and biopsied off
Wanganui (heading south) and a second pair were photographed off New Plymouth. A common
dolphin stranded on one of the city beaches and was sent to Massey University for autopsy.
Predator control work has continued on the Sugar Loaf Islands.
East Coast Hawke’s Bay Conservancy (key contact James Holborow)
Wellington Conservancy (key contact Helen Kettles (marine) and Nadine Bott (marine mammals))
The Taputeranga Marine Reserve on the south coast was gazetted in August 2008. Six research permits
were issued for existing work undertaken by Victoria University Wellington within the reserve
boundaries. A lot of baseline data is being, and has already been, collected by Victoria University. A
report was contracted this year that summarised all existing data and identified gaps to be included in
an ongoing monitoring plan (Eddy et al 2008). An operational plan is also to be written and an advisory
committee formed in the coming year.
Monitoring at the Kapiti Marine Reserve has been postponed until next year. A new committee is now
in place and has been very active in its first year. Two research permits were issued.
The draft Wellington region marine information CD is on track for completion mid 2009. This
interactive CD resource has a searchable bibliography with over 1400 references. These will be
invaluable for future MPA planning and RMA information support. A review of the Chathams Islands
marine biodiversity information will also be complete midway through 2009.
The annual humpback whale survey in Cook Strait was undertaken for the fifth consecutive year in
2008. The survey is designed to assess the status of humpback whales and investigate the level of
recovery from commercial whaling after 45 years of protection. The survey operated for 4 weeks in
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2008 instead of the usual 2 week period, to try and capture the peak numbers of whales moving
through the area as there has been considerable variation in previous years in the timing and numbers
of whales.
Nelson/Marlborough Conservancy (key contact Andrew Baxter). The existing ecological monitoring
programmes at Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve (Queen Charlotte Sound), Tonga Island
Marine Reserve (Abel Tasman National Park) and Horoirangi Marine Reserve (north Nelson) were
continued. The Conservancy also continued to work with Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikoura
Coastal Marine Guardians) to develop a management strategy for the Kaikoura coastal and marine
environment. A three-year research/monitoring programme investigating the effects of tourism on
dusky dolphins at Kaikoura progressed through 2008 and is due to be completed in June 2009. A
separate investigation looking at the impacts of tourism on sperm whales at Kaikoura has also been
planned and is due to commence in mid 2009.
West Coast Conservancy (key contact Don Neale). The Conservancy’s major programme in 2008 was
supporting the continuation of the West Coast Marine Protection Forum, a community-based group set
up to investigate and progress options for marine protection in territorial waters between Kahurangi
Point and Awarua Point. This included an ‘addenda report’ (Neale et al 2008) on the West Coast
marine and coastal environment based on submissions to the initial report as well as supplementary
GIS mapping and classification, to provide a summary of information for the forum to use. The forum
has used this information as a basis for progressing towards a recommendation report for the Ministers
of Conservation and Fisheries. The forum’s website www.westmarine.org.nz gives more details about
this project. The conservancy also continues to monitor and manage populations of Hector’s dolphin
(including a boat-based survey of dolphins in South Westland during Feb-March 2008), fur seal kekeno
(including mark-recapture pup censuses on three rookeries annually since 1990), Fiordland crested
penguin tawaki, and Westland petrel taiko.
Canterbury Conservancy (key contact Laura Allum)
The Conservancy completed a project examining the diet of NZ fur seals at 2 Banks Peninsula colonies
to determine what they are eating and to better understand their interaction with recreational and
commercial fisherman. Conservancy support for research looking at Hector’s dolphin tourism and
understanding their interaction with boats is ongoing. The Conservancy also initiated a project looking
at the use of external noise devices as a means of attracting dolphins. Conservancy support for research
looking at the effects of tourism on fur seals has begun for a period of 4 years.
The Conservancy completed a report reviewing all of the biological/ecological surveys that have taken
place in Pohatu MR since its establishment in 1999. This information was then used as a basis for
writing a preliminary monitoring plan for Pohatu MR. The Conservancy completed päua and kina
monitoring in Pohatu Marine Reserve using UVC. A blue cod potting and tagging survey was also
carried out in Pohatu Marine Reserve- with nearly 200 fish tagged. The proposed Akaroa marine
reserve departmental report is near its final form and should be ready soon for the Minister.
Canterbury Conservancy has produced a Canterbury marine resource in the form of a CD- for those
involved in marine planning, conservation, education and research. The CD contains: bibliographic
database (>1200 references) and text, maps, graphs and images analysing and summarising physical,
ecological and human-use information on the coastal/marine environment. A report on how this CD
was produced has been written. Canterbury Conservancy has also produced a habitat map report (and
maps), whereby the coastal/marine area of Canterbury has been mapped according to the MPA habitat
classification units.
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Several operational responses to NZ fur seal reports and Hectors dolphin beach cast/strandings were
carried out. The Conservancy continues to manage populations of white-flippered penguin, yelloweyed penguin and sooty shearwater through predator control work and survey and monitoring
programs around Banks Peninsula and on Motunau Island.
Southland Conservancy (key contacts Greig Funnell (Conservancy office), Kath Blakemore (Te Anau
AO), Morven Carruthers (Southern Islands AO) and Ros Cole (Murihiku AO)).
Over the past year in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, work has continued in the
marine reserves, and extended to include gathering information in the ‘china shop’ areas – areas
identified by the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries for their fragile species or communities, or special
biodiversity values. A further project utilising remotely operated cameras has been planned and will
be carried out in the first half of 2009, and will survey areas beyond diveable depths, down to around
150 metres.
Following a threat management public consultation process for the Doubtful Sound bottlenose dolphin
population, a new set of protection measures have been implemented since the beginning of 2008 to
reduce any potential impact that vessels may have on the population. In addition, the Department has
carried out monitoring surveys on this population, and that in the nearby Dusky/Breaksea fiord
complex. This work has shown a further decline in the Doubtful Sound population over the last 18
months. The work in Dusky/Breaksea however has provided the first comprehensive information on
this less-studied group of bottlenose, and is valuable in trying to determine the reasons for the decline
in Doubtful Sound.
The biological monitoring program at Ulva Island/ Te Wharawhara marine reserve continued in 2008
with underwater visual census of fish, rock lobster, paua, kina and macroalgae. Long term blue cod
potting and line fishing data for Paterson Inlet has also been updated with 2006 survey results.
Underwater surveys were also carried out in HoHo Bay at the Snares to establish the distribution and
spread of Undaria pinnatifida since its first detection there in 2006, as well as to describe native macroalgae and invertebrate diversity. The survey results triggered a reconsideration of the feasibility of
eradicating Undaria from the Snares, however it is likely that financial costs will ultimately be
prohibitive. A hull inspection system for biofouling on research/ tourist vessels travelling to the
subantarctic islands has been put in place and a marine biosecurity risk assessment is underway.
A survey of Port Pegasus/ Pikihatiti marine area was completed in early 2009 using underwater visual
census, photographic and video methods. This data was collected in order to compare Pegasus with
other sites surveyed across the Foveaux Strait/ Stewart Island region in 2000 and 2005, as well as to
provide baseline information for the area and data that will be useful for the Southern Biogeographic
region MPA process.
Intertidal monitoring near the Met Station base at Perseverance Harbour, Campbell Island was
repeated during summer 2008 in order to determine any effects that may relate to the rat eradication.
Also at Campbell Island various seabird monitoring was carried out, including for rockhopper
penguin, albatross, skua and titi. In addition, a survey of burrow occupancy for South Georgian diving
petrels was carried out on Whenua Hou, a complete population census for snares crested penguins at
the Snares and also for yellow eyed penguins (led by the Yellow eyed penguin trust, supported by
DOC) around Stewart Island.
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A couple of biopsy samples have been collected from southern right whales around the Southland coast
and several more sightings have been recorded for the national programme. Two marine mammal
sanctuaries have been gazetted in the Southland region - Te Waewae bay and Porpoise Bay/ Fortrose.
Environment Canterbury
www.ecan.govt.nz
Environment Canterbury has ongoing state of the environment monitoring programmes.
INVESTIGATIONS AND MONITORING
Dr. Lesley Bolton-Ritchie is responsible for running the water quality and coastal ecosystems
monitoring and investigations programmes. As part of the ECan coastal water quality programme
there was sampling in Lyttelton Harbour from January to June (end of the financial year) and at sites in
Akaroa Harbour from July. There was also ongoing quarterly coastal water quality monitoring at 32
sites through the region. As part of the ECan coastal ecosystem health programme the University of
Canterbury mapped the bathymetry, soft sediments and biota of upper Lyttelton Harbour. The
recreational water quality programme consisted of weekly sampling of about 46 sites over the summer
months. The weekly bacteriological results are available on the Environment Canterbury website.
The joint Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council and Ihutai Trust ‘Healthy rivers and
estuary of the city’ monitoring programme continued. This included monthly water quality monitoring,
weekly recreational water quality monitoring over the summer months and annual benthic monitoring
in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai. In 2008 the benthic monitoring was undertaken by EOS Ecology.
NIWA undertook Stage I of an investigation on circulation and mixing in the Canterbury Bight. This
investigation uses satellite imagery to look at mixing and dispersal of freshwater plumes in the Bight.
Justin Cope the Coastal Resources Scientist is responsible for running the regional physical coastal
monitoring and investigations programme with assistance from the Coastal Resources Officer Bruce
Gabities. Their work continues on investigating coastal processes and long term state of the
environment monitoring and reporting in the Canterbury region. This programme involves the
surveying and analysis of 250+ coastal profile and topographic survey sites, collecting data on trends
shoreline movement, sediment volumes and sediment size characteristics. Environment Canterbury
enjoys several project partnerships including the operation of a Directional Wave Buoy off Banks
Peninsula (with NIWA and Christchurch City Council) and sea level recorders at Sumner and Timaru
(with NIWA). The major monitoring report for 2008 was a summary of survey results for the beaches of
Timaru and Washdyke/Seadown between 1994-2007.
Council
Professor Bob Kirk is an Environment Canterbury Councillor.
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RESOURCE CARE
The Ashley Estuary community group with assistance from Rob Gerard has been working towards
increasing the protection and understanding of the ecosystem of Ashley and Saltwater Creek estuaries
and on issues of beach access to the open coast. The Akaroa Harbour community group with assistance
from Jenny Bond has been involved in recreational water quality sampling and coastal water quality
issues including sediment runoff from subdivision developments. Lyttelton Harbour community
group, with assistance from Shelley Washington has been involved in recreational water quality
sampling and coastal water quality issues particularly the issue of increasing sediment runoff into the
upper harbour. The Avon-Heathcote community, with assistance from Shelley Washington has been
involved in recreational water quality sampling and other estuary ecosystem health issues. The South
Canterbury coast care group with assistance from Judith Earl-Goulet has no ongoing projects at
present.
Environment Waikato
www.ew.govt.nz
RESOURCE INFORMATION GROUP – COASTAL
The role of the coastal team at EW’s Resource Information Group is to provide science information to
inform resource management in the Waikato Region.
In 2008, Malene Felsing went on maternity leave for a year, and Debra Stokes replaced her in the role of
Coastal Ecologist.
Dr. Catherine Beard, Wetland ecologist. Research interests include mangrove and coastal wetland
ecology. Catherine has been closely involved with the ‘Muddy Feet’ project over the last year. This is a
multi-agency project that aims to further the overall understanding, and ultimately the sustainable
management, of the Firth of Thames coastal marine area (including the internationally recognised
southern Firth of Thames Ramsar site). As one of the project steering group team Catherine was closely
involved in Phases II and III of the project; most recently in the development of a Restoration Action
plan for the Firth of Thames Ramsar site and surrounds. Catherine also leads an EW project mapping
the extent of vegetated habitats in fourteen of the Region’s estuaries, and was also involved in the
development of criteria for prioritisation of the Region’s estuaries in terms of ecological value.
Catherine is also a trustee of the National Wetlands Trust with an interest in coastal and estuarine
wetlands.
Dr. Vernon Pickett, Coastal Scientist. Research work carried out has mainly focussed around sandy
beach and estuarine environments. Work carried out or involved in during 2008 has included input
into sedimentation and mangrove expansion investigations in the southern Firth of Thames as part of a
project run out of NIWA, analysis of sedimentation and sediment accumulation rates in the Firth of
Thames and Whaingaroa harbours as part of the Regional Estuaries Monitoring Programme (REMP),
implementation of the west coast tide gauge project as part as part of the Coastal Hazard programme,
Tararu tidegauge longitudinal study, development of Council’s beach profile database in NIWA’s
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BPAT programme, initiation of funded research at the University of Waikato characterising sandy
beach responses to storm and climate forcing using a high resolution beach database, storm hindcasting and wave modelling to identify potential modal beaches for monitoring, Tsunami modelling for
Mercury Bay and Kuaotunu Peninsula, and ongoing development of 2 dimensional hydrodynamic
modelling for three estuaries including Whangamata, Whitianga and Whaingaroa.
Ms. Debra Stokes, Coastal Ecologist. Research interests include the environmental impacts resulting
from, and recovery of benthic systems following, mangrove removal in estuaries. Amongst other
things, during her time with EW, Debra finalised a prioritisation of the Region’s estuaries in terms of
ecological value, and also completed a study of the recovery of the benthic community following
unauthorised mangrove removal in Whangamata Estuary.
Mr. Nathan Singleton, Environmental Officer, Coastal Ecology. In 2008 Nathan worked on EW’s
Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme, a long-term state-of-environment monitoring programme in
the Region. As part of this, the Region’s west coast estuaries were sampled for sediment contaminants,
and benthic habitat mapping was commenced as a trial in Otahu Harbour on the east coast of the
Coromandel.
Dr. Malene Felsing, Coastal Ecologist. In 2008, Malene contributed to a project prioritising the Region’s
estuaries in terms of ecological values, and worked with NIWA and other Regional Councils on the
initial phases of an EnviroLink funded project aimed at coming up with criteria for the prioritisation of
coastal ecosystems within New Zealand. She also worked on EW’s proposed Aquaculture Plan
Change, the aim of which is to allow the farming of species other than shellfish (currently only shellfish
farming is allowed in the Region).
Geomarine Research
www.geomarine.org.nz
In 2008, Bruce Hayward, Hugh Grenfell, and Ashwaq Sabaa continued their foraminiferal research at
their laboratory near Tamaki Campus, Auckland. Recent MSc graduate John Kay joined us for most of
the year. Jill Kenny also joined the team to work on contracts related to earth science conservation and
a Lottery-funded project to identify and map the best areas of karst around New Zealand so their
protection can be promoted.
DEEP SEA FORAMINIFERAL ECOLOGY
The text and figures for our forthcoming monograph on the deep-sea foraminifera of the New Zealand
EEZ (with Helen Neil, NIWA) was completed. We are currently working on the plates that figure over
300 species.
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
We took reconnaissance transect samples and cores in West Haven Inlet (Nelson) and Tautuku Estuary
(Catlins) to start our investigation of the foraminiferal faunas to see whether ocean acidification is yet
impacting on New Zealand estuarine systems.
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SEA-LEVEL RISE
Cores and transect samples were taken in Waikawa Harbour (Catlins) and West Haven Inlet (Nelson)
to work up the salt marsh foraminiferal history of the last 500-600 years of sea level change around
New Zealand. Our studies (with Roland Gehrels, Plymouth) indicate accelerated rise in sea level since
the late 19th century, based on studies at Pounawea (Catlins) and Mokomoko Inlet (Bluff).
TECTONIC INSTABILITY
CAUSES OF EXTINCTION IN THE DEEP SEA
We have documented the Cenozoic history of elongate deep-sea benthic foraminifera in ODP cores
from the North Atlantic, Weddell Sea, Kerguelen Plateau, Exmouth Plateau, North and Equatorial
Pacific seeking clues to the cause of their global extinction during the mid-Pleistocene Climate
Transition. We wrote up our work in five cores on the unique history of foraminiferal immigration and
extinction over the last 5 million years in the deep Mediterranean Sea. Post-Doc Katie Johnston began
studies on the impact of the Middle Miocene rapid warming on these deep-sea benthics in four cores
along a transect across the Pacific.
OSTRACOD STUDIES
Margaret Morley wrote up her studies on the ecological distribution of ostracods in different salinities
around Big Lagoon, Marlborough, and is furthering her work on intertidal zonation of ostracods in
coralline algal pools on both coasts of Auckland.
PhD
Liesbeth Van Kerckhoven (Auckland University) Causes of extinction in the deep-sea – impacts of the
Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
Brigida Figueira (Auckland University) Foraminiferal record of Late Holocene sea-level rise around
New Zealand.
MSc
Andrew Kolodziej (Victoria University) Foraminiferal record of sea-surface temperature during the
Middle Pleistocene, west of the South Island.
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Golder Associates
The Ecology Group at Golder Associates (NZ) Ltd (Golder) continued to work on a diverse range of
marine-based projects during 2008. This work comprised primarily environmental monitoring and
assessment, and marine biosecurity research.
Golder’s team of marine scientists remained unchanged from 2007 with Dr. Dan McClary, Emily Jones
and Sandra Hinni continuing work in the Auckland office and Claire Phipps returning from maternity
leave in June, while the South Island team members included Dr. Mike Stuart and Coralie Dignan in
Dunedin. This team had ongoing support from other coastal and aquatic scientists within Golder in
New Zealand including Paul Kennedy and Ivan Holland as well as close collaboration with Golder
Associates marine scientists in Australia, in particular Elena Lazzarotto in Melbourne.
Our environmental and monitoring work included projects based in New Zealand and in international
locations. Earlier in the year, Dan and Emily undertook work for the development of a nickel laterite
mine on Mindoro Island in the Republic of the Philippines. This work involved contributions toward
Social and Environmental Impact Assessments (SEIAs) using Equator Principles as required by the
International Finance Corporation. Dan ventured to Mindoro Island in May to initiate and supervise
marine ecology surveys being undertaken as part of the SEIA process, which included training local
support crews in methods for sampling soft bottom benthic ecology, coral reef structure and health,
and reef fish population dynamics as well as seagrass community analysis, bioaccumulation and
ecotoxicological assessments.
Golder’s marine scientists also undertook SEIA work in Spencer Gulf, South Australia for a proposed
multi-use port facility for Centrex Metals Ltd. The team, including Dan, Emily, Sandra and Elena,
conducted marine resources assessments of the intertidal and subtidal zones at and adjacent to the
proposed development site, including studies of infaunal, epifaunal and seagrass communities.
Information was used for the preparation of an SEIA for the purposes of obtaining planning approvals.
Closer to home, Paul, Dan, Sandra and Emily continued environmental monitoring work in relation to
the deepening of Rangitoto Channel by the Ports of Auckland to allow larger cargo vessels to access the
port. Other local work was undertaken by the marine team for various resource consent applications
relating to stormwater discharges, and coastal and urban development activities. Claire and Emily also
assisted the Bay of Islands Canterbury Charitable Trust in meeting their resource consent conditions for
the sinking of the former New Zealand Navy frigate Canterbury as a dive wreck and artificial reef.
This followed on from Claire’s investigation into the efficacy of hull wrapping as a means of
eradicating fouling marine species from large vessels, which involved wrapping the hull of the
Canterbury in silage plastic.
Further work in the field of marine biosecurity saw Golder’s marine scientists expand their range of
potential marine pest control technologies, particularly with the use of microwave treatments and pest
containment systems. Dan and Sandra continued to experiment with the use of microwave technology
for decontamination of sea containers, which included the development of a conceptual design for
commercial use. This work was undertaken with the assistance of John Holdem who provided and
operated the microwave equipment. Sandra presented a poster of this work at the 2008 NZMSS
conference in Christchurch. Dan, Sandra and John also investigated whether microwave technology
could be used for the eradication of infaunal organisms as a response tool for marine invasive species in
the intertidal environment. Commercial-grade microwave generators were tested and the results
suggest that, at its present stage of development, microwave technology may be most suitable for
eradication of shallow infaunal organisms living no deeper than 3 cm from the surface.
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In addition, Mike and Coralie developed and tested a subtidal containment and chemical treatment
delivery system for use as an incursion response tool for introduced marine pests on subtidal
substrates. The development, manufacture and testing of a prototype containment system produced a
fully operational system capable of delivering chemical treatments for use in response to marine pest
incursions. The system can be effectively deployed from land or vessel to subtidal marine soft
sediment substrate and is capable of containing and re-circulating chemical treatments over a 5 x 5 m
area to depths of 20 m. Emily also completed a three-year investigation into possible control techniques
for the invasive marine crab Charybdis japonica. While the trial control programme did not eradicate
the crab from the study area, short-term reductions in the catch rate of C. japonica were observed.
Overall, the project highlighted to need to respond to pest incursions while the target population is
limited in abundance and distribution.
Other marine biosecurity work included the completion of biosecurity risk assessments for fouling on
international vessel (cruise ships and fishing vessels) and on vessels traveling to the sub-Antarctic
Islands, Chatham Islands and Fiordland. The outcomes of these projects indicated that two thirds of
international passenger vessels arriving in New Zealand contained biofouling and that non-indigenous
species generally arrived on international passenger vessels as a few species on several vessels, rather
than as several species on a few vessels. Hull regions most likely to contain non-indigenous species
included niches and crevices on the hull or areas without antifouling paint. Forty NIMS species were
identified on vessels traveling to sub-Antarctic and Chatham Islands and Fiordland, including 14
species not known to have established in New Zealand and 17 species already known to have
established in New Zealand. The occurrence of NIMS on domestic vessels sampled in the study
indicates that secondary transport is likely to be an important mechanism by which NIMS may spread
to these areas from mainland New Zealand.
Golder’s marine science team continues on into 2009 with many of these projects still underway as well
as several marine environmental assessment programmes on the horizon in both New Zealand and
overseas.
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Greater Wellington Regional Council
Web address: www.gw..govt.nz
Environment Management Division (primary contact: Juliet Milne)
Porirua Harbour has been the main focus of Greater Wellington Regional Council's coastal
investigations in 2008. In late January, four long-term inter-tidal monitoring sites were selected and the
first round of sampling conducted (benthic fauna and flora, sediment chemistry). Sediment plates were
also placed at strategic locations within the harbour to collect information on sedimentation rates over
time. Sedimentation, along with nutrient enrichment and – at the southern arm of the harbour and in
the subtidal basins – contaminant accumulation, are key issues for the harbour.
Later in the year, the five long-term sub-tidal sites in Porirua Harbour were sampled for the third time
since the sites were established with NIWA’s assistance in 2004. Samples were collected for analysis of
both benthic fauna and sediment chemistry (heavy metal, particle size and organic carbon analysis). A
report documenting the findings of the 2008 survey is expected in mid 2009.
Other investigations undertaken in 2008 included ecological assessments of Whareama Estuary and
Castlepoint Beach in the eastern Wairarapa.
The Wellington Harbour marine sediment quality investigation mentioned in the 2007 NZMSS review
has now been documented in a report. The investigation revealed that there are elevated
concentrations of stormwater-derived contaminants in surface sediments, with the highest
concentrations found in inner Lambton Basin and Evans Bay.
Our 2007 NZMSS contribution also commented on our involvement with NIWA's side-scan sonar
survey of the entire Wellington Harbour sea floor. The project provides detailed information on the
bathymetry, sediments and ecology of the seafloor, including sediment deposits from the Hutt River
and a very high resolution scan of the navigation channels into the harbour.
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Industrial Research Limited (IRL)
www.irl.cri.nz
CARBOHYDRATE CHEMISTRY - GLYCOACTIVES
Industrial Research Ltd’s FRST programme on seaweed glycotherapeutics finished in June 2008. Dr
Ruth Falshaw has moved to Scion, Rotorua where she is editor of New Zealand Forestry Journal and
maintains an interest in seaweed research as an editor for Botanica Marina. Dr Tracey Bell is
researching glycosaminoglycans from shellfish. Dr Susie Carnachan continues with on-going research
to explore biologically active products from New Zealand macroalgae. Our group has extensive
experience in structural analysis of polysaccharides from seaweeds and other natural products.
INTEGRATED BIOACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
For almost 30 years Dr. Vyssotski has been involved in research and development of methods for lipid
analysis, structure elucidation and chemical modification. His research interest is in the field of
bioactive lipids – isolation, identification and modification, including novel lipids and unusual fatty
acids of marine organisms. Dr. Vyssotski has led a number of basic research and commercial projects
related to bioactive lipids of marine and terrestrial origin, including use of fatty acid analysis for rapid
identification of marine microorganisms; very-long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of marine
organisms; and unusual, low polarity phospholipids. Dr. Andrew MacKenzie has 14 years experience
in the extraction, modification and analysis of lipids. Recent research has involved phospholipids from
a variety of sources, including marine organisms. Analysis of phospholipids using 31P NMR has been
established at IRL, and is available at a fee for service basis. In 2008 Dr. MacKenzie conducted a
comparative study of lipids of Japanese and New Zealand scallops, at the laboratory of Prof. Yutaka
Itabashi (Hokkaido University, Japan) via RSNZ-JSPS exchange programme. Dr. Eduard Nekrasov is
an expert in glycolipids, his current projects involve studies of galactoglycerolipids and
glycosphingolipids of marine and terrestrial plants. Recently, we were joined by a former graduate
student of Dr.Vyssotski, Kirill Lagutin, who is currently involved in synthetic modifications of lipids.
Dawn Scott is a research assistant experienced in areas of extraction, fractionation, and enzymatic
modification of marine and terrestrial lipids. IRL Lipid Group continues co-operation with a former
IRL employee currently working at the Institute of Marine Biology, Vladivostok, Russia, Dr. Vasily
Svetashev, who is an expert in investigation of structure, distribution and role of lipids and fatty acids
in marine organisms.
ENERGY AND MATERIALS - WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION
Over the past four years Alister Gardiner, Robert Stuart, Lan Le Ngoc and Alan Caughley, in
partnership with NIWA and Power Projects Limited, has been working in a FRST programme to
develop a marine energy conversion technology suitable to New Zealand maritime conditions.
Within the FRST programme the research of a floating self reacting point-absorber design has been
developed that utilises a direct-drive energy conversion approach. A proof of concept device was
constructed and deployed in coastal locations during 2008, gathering useful experimental data about
the potential performance of a commercial scale device. This information is being used in the further
development of a numerical model being developed to describe and optimise the device energy
conversion capability.
To further enhance the design a control system has also been researched to provide both and subwavelength impedance matching.
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The use of a point-absorber design with adaptive impedance matching has been identified as a design
concept with a number of advantages; including reducing the capital (construction) cost and improving
the energy capture of the device under varying wave conditions.
Ongoing research is anticipated within a new FRST contract and through co-funding from external
investment, which will support the construction of an ocean scale device.
VISITORS
Prof. Yutaka Itabashi (Hokkaido University, Japan); via RSNZ-JSPS exchange programme, May 2008.
Focus of this research was: Analysis, distribution and utilization of functional lipids from New Zealand
marine organisms
ME
Terence Yang
An electrical induction machine drive for a wave energy converter, Massey University, October 2006
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Massey University (Auckland and Palmerston North)
http://cmrg.massey.ac.nz
http://wildlife/research/common_dolphin/common_dolphin.asp
www.massey.ac.nz/~dhbrunton
Auckland
COLLEGE OF SCIENCES
INSTITUTE OF NATURAL SCIENCES: COASTAL-MARINE RESEARCH GROUP
Palmerston North
NEW ZEALAND WILDLIFE CENTRE
INSTITUTE OF VETERINARY, ANIMAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Massey University is primarily involved in marine sciences through staff and post graduate research in
interests. However, undergraduate modules in marine biology begin in 2010 as part of the taught
undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences (offered on the Auckland campus).
Assoc Prof. David Raubenheimer (Auckland campus)
Field-based studies of nutritional ecology of marine fauna
Principal projects:
• The relationship between nutritional ecology and life history of the marine herbivorous fish Odax
pullus along a latitudinal gradient.
• Macronutrient selection in herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous marine fishes.
• Nutritional ecology of marine amphipods.
Assoc Prof. Dianne Brunton (Auckland campus)
The ecology and conservation of little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor), North Island, New Zealand
Principal projects:
• The feeding and breeding ecology of little blue penguins on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.
• The significance of parasites loads in little blue penguins on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.
Dr Karen Stockin (Auckland campus)
The New Zealand Common Dolphin Project (NZCDP)
Field and lab-based research focussed on New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.).
Principal projects:
• Taxonomic identity of New Zealand Delphinus.
• Biology and life history of common dolphin in New Zealand waters.
• Anthropogenic threats to New Zealand common dolphins, namely by-catch, tourism, pollution.
• Behaviour and ecology of common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland.
• The reproductive biology of beaked whales
• Anatomy of beaked whale pectoral flippers
Dr Rosemary Barraclough (Auckland campus)
In association with Stefanie Ismar and Assoc Prof Mark Hauber (University of Auckland) is
investigating blood parasitism in marine birds of the Kermadec Islands. Species under investigation
include the black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis), Tasmin booby (Sula tasmani), Red-tailed
Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), Kermadec petrel (Pterodroma neglecta), wedge-tailed shearwaters
(Puffinus pacifics).
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Wendi Roe (Palmerston North campus)
A senior veterinary pathologist at Massey University, Palmerston North, Wendi is primarily interested
in disease and pathology of New Zealand marine mammals. Key species include Hector’s dolphins,
common dolphin and New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri).
PhD
Jürgen Kolb
The role of Piscicolidae (Annelida: Hirudinea) in the marine ecosystems of Antarctica and New
Zealand.
Emmanuelle Martinez
Tourism impacts on Hector’s dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) at Akaroa harbour, Banks
Peninsula, New Zealand.
Laureline Meynier
Feeding ecology of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).
Vincenzo Petrella
Acoustic repertoire of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.
Wendi Roe
Investigation of markers of traumatic brain injury and drowning in pinnipeds, with particular
emphasis on the NZ sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).
Wendy Schrader
Dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) off Kaikoura, New Zealand.
MSc
Laura Donaldson
The distribution of fatty acids and presence of environmental contaminants in the blubber of the New
Zeland sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).
Nicolas De La Brosse
Role of mother-offspring pairs in foraging common dolphins (Delphinus sp) in the Hauraki Gulf, New
Zealand
Jodi Smith
Tourism impacts of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Moreton Island, Queensland,
Australia.
Monique Jansen van Rensburg
Parasitology of little blue penguins (Eudyptula minor) on Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand.
Anne-Sophie Boyer
Microbial infection of Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) eggs and early embryo death.
MVS
Kelly Buckle
Brucella in Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori)
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Ministry of Fisheries (MFish)
www.fish.govt.nz
The Ministry of Fisheries has a dynamic team of 12 full time scientists, 3 science officers and 3 part-time
contractors who are responsible for:
• coordinating and convening research planning working groups to identify fisheries research
needs and define research objectives;
• overseeing contracted research projects and providing quality assurance of such research;
• coordinating and convening stock assessment working groups to provide estimates of biomass
and sustainable yields for fish stocks;
• coordinating and convening aquatic environment working groups to assess the effects of fishing
on the aquatic environment, including biodiversity and bycatch species;
• coordinating and convening the biodiversity research advisory group to plan and to evaluate
biodiversity research;
• overseeing some aspects of research on aquaculture and enhancement projects;
• providing scientific input to Fisheries Plans, fisheries standards and other Ministry initiatives;
• providing scientific advice to the Ministry;
• providing science input to FAO technical processes and international fisheries management
organisations, including CCAMLR, CCSBT, WCPFC, and SPRFMO; and
• administering and providing quality assurance for an annual research budget of about
$20,000,000 to support the above activities
In addition, the Ministry has a number of research programmes in place to generate high quality
information on biodiversity. These programmes are intended to improve our ability to:
• protect the richness and health of the marine biodiversity of New Zealand and the Ross Sea
region;
• ascertain the role of different organisms and habitats in maintaining the health and sustainability
of our aquatic environment; and
• contribute to required information to set environmental standards under the Strategy to Manage
the Environmental Effects of Fishing (SMEEF)
Highlights of the 2008 year include:
• collaborative development of a new Harvest Strategy Standard to ensure that fish stocks are
harvested at sustainable levels with special measures to rebuild them at the fastest practical rate
if they become depleted;
• awarding two MFish/NIWA scholarships in Quantitative Fisheries Science to Vidette McGregor
and Kristin Mcleod to undertake MSc’s at the Universities of Victoria and Massey, respectively;
• retrieval of the first batch of data from the satellite tagging programme for swordfish and bluefin
tuna which will eventually be used in stock assessments for these species;
• contributions to the development of Challenger finfish and Highly Migratory Species Fisheries
Plans;
• substantial advancement in the negotiations for the formation of the South Pacific Regional
Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), with scientific contributions including
preparation of a benthic assessment framework incorporating definitions of vulnerable benthic
marine ecosystems (VMEs), protocols for evaluating evidence of VMEs in bottom trawl bycatches, analysis of the New Zealand bottom trawl and longline effort footprint on the high seas,
and development of a Bottom Fishery Impact Assessment incorporating a multi-tiered approach
to protect areas on the high seas containing VMEs from the impacts of bottom trawling;
• implementing bird mitigation measures at the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
(WCPFC);
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• IPY-CAML: The International Polar Year Census of Antarctic Marine Life voyage was
successfully completed in Feb-Mar 2008 achieving good press coverage and worldwide media
interest. One of several similar projects carried out around the Southern Ocean for IPY, analyses
from the voyage are now generating results that are already being taken up and used as inputs to
the annual meetings held by CCAMLR and synoptic workshops from IPY projects planned later
in 2009;
• ongoing Ministry of Fisheries efforts to include environmental considerations into management
decisions;
• active cooperation between the aquaculture industry, research providers and MFish scientists
and managers resulting in effective implementation, completion and review of a large number of
Fisheries Resource Impact Assessment (FRIA) research projects;
• MFish Biodiversity Research Programme: This programme funds projects that have arisen from
Theme 3 (Coastal and Marine Biodiversity) of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2000.
Following a full review of progress on the NZBS after the first 5 years since inception, MFish has
developed and begun to implement a 5 year research plan to address 7 strategic directions
outlined in a comprehensive Medium Term Research Plan. The research commissioned under
the modestly funded programme is designed to create synergies between MFish Aquatic
Environment Research (effects of fishing) and projects under other funding streams outside the
Ministry. To date, the programme has generated a plethora of papers, ID Guides and scientific
output to improve understanding about the role of biodiversity and the goods and services it
delivers in our marine ecosystems. Engagement includes CRIs, Fishing Industry, Universities,
and other Government Agencies.
• Phase 1 of the Bay of Islands Oceans Survey 20/20 Programme has been completed. This used
various types of sonar to make detailed maps of depth and substrate type for all of the Bay of
Islands and the 50-200m contour from Spirits bay to the Poor Knights Islands. This will allow a
biodiversity survey to proceed in 2009 that will provide invaluable baseline information for a
number of purposes, e.g., Marine Protected Area Planning and Regional Council management of
the coastal zone. The aim of this project is to make this information available to the general
public by approximately the middle of 2010.
CHIEF SCIENTIST
Pamela Mace was appointed as the Chief Scientist of the Ministry in 2005. She has more than 30 years
of fisheries science and management experience, including many years working in Canada and the
United States, and in international forums. Pamela’s main areas of expertise are fish stock assessments,
the development and implementation of fisheries harvest strategies, ecosystem approaches to fisheries,
and the development of criteria for defining species at risk.
STOCK ASSESSMENT
Kevin Sullivan is the Science Manager for Stock Assessment within the MFish Science Team. Kevin’s
responsibilities include the following research areas: deepwater species, hoki, middle depth species,
and rock lobster, including stock assessment, research planning and research management processes.
Kevin has for many years been the New Zealand representative on the Scientific Committee of
CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) and chaired the
meeting in October 2008.
Stephen Brouwer joined the Science Team in 2006. He is a Principal Scientist in the Stock Assessment
Team and has both domestic and international responsibilities. Domestically he is Chair of the Southern
Inshore and HMS Stock Assessment Working Groups and is involved in Fisheries Plans, stock
assessments and research planning for highly migratory species and southern inshore fisheries.
Internationally he is one of the MFish representatives at the Western and Central Pacific Fishing
Commission (WCPFC).
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Marc Griffiths is a Principal Scientist in the Stock Assessment team. He is involved with research
planning for inshore finfish and is Chair of the Northern Inshore Fisheries Working Group.
Neville Smith joined the Science Team in 1998 fresh from being an observer. Now a Principal Scientist,
he currently convenes the Antarctic Fishery and Recreational Fisheries Working Groups, coordinates
Science Team input on a wide variety of international fisheries issues, manages the three Science
Officers and is studying part-time for an MBA.
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
Martin Cryer joined the MFish Science Team as the Science Manager for Aquatic Environment and
Biodiversity in 2005. After 15 years at MAF Fisheries and NIWA working on shellfisheries, recreational
fisheries, and the effects of fishing, he is now responsible for managing research and science advice on
biodiversity and the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment. He currently convenes the Aquatic
Environment Working Group and specialises in benthic effects of fishing, but also has support roles in
shellfish stock assessments and recreational fisheries research.
Julie Hills is a molecular ecologist and Senior Scientist in the Aquatic Environment and Stock
Assessment Teams. She is responsible for managing research and science advice on the positive and
negative effects of fisheries enhancement, on the impacts of aquaculture on fisheries and on the impacts
of fishing on genetic population structure within various fish populations. She is also manager of the
shellfish stock assessment and research working groups. Julie is also providing science advice into paua
fisheries plans and risks associated with transferring marine organisms around New Zealand.
Mary Livingston is a Principal Scientist in the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Team. Mary
chairs the Ministry of Fisheries Biodiversity Advisory Group and manages the Ministry’s projects and
research planning for biodiversity. She is also involved with projects on the effects of fishing on the
environment, particularly on bycatch, deepwater habitats, and ecosystem issues. She continues her
involvement with the Oceans Survey 20/20 programme, which includes post-voyage analysis of New
Zealand’s International Polar Year-Census of Antarctic marine Life project (IPY-CAML) as well as the
ongoing Chatham - Challenger project to map seabed habitats and biodiversity in those two areas.
Mary also represents the Science Group on the Interdepartmental Climate Change Adaptation Group
(ICCA) and the NZ Royal Society Biodiversity Committee, and has ongoing involvement with stock
assessment working groups for hoki and middle depth species.
Richard Ford joined the MFish Science team as a Principal Scientist in the Aquatic Environment and
Biodiversity Team in 2008. Rich was previously working as a lecturer for the University of Auckland at
Leigh Marine Laboratory conducting research in benthic community ecology. Rich now oversees the
scientific aspects of University-Ministry and Regional Council - Ministry interactions. In addition he
has a support role in shellfish fisheries, biodiversity and aquatic environment processes as well as
contributing to the Bay of Islands component of the Oceans Survey 20/20 programme.
Eric Mellina is a Principal Scientist in the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Team, having joined
the Ministry of Fisheries in September 2008. His areas of responsibilities include fisheries interactions
with protected species, as well as issues related to freshwater eels, land-use practices and their effects
on marine ecosystems, customary fisheries, and other research conducted by local customary fisheries
managers. Eric is also serving as an adjunct professor with the University of Northern British Columbia
in Canada.
Rob Mattlin is a part-time contractor with the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Team. He deals
with the effects of fishing on marine mammals and all related marine mammal issues.
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Ben Sharp was a Senior Scientist in the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Team until March 2006.
He is currently living in Vanuatu and is a contracted to the Ministry Science Team to provide advice on
Antarctic ecosystem science, impact assessment and ecological risk assessment, and Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs).
Nathan Walker is a Senior Scientist who joined the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Team in
February 2007. He has previously worked for Trophia Ltd as a fisheries scientist and for WWF-New
Zealand as Sustainable Fisheries Programme Leader and as Marine Team Leader. Nathan is currently
working on fisheries interactions with protected species, which includes overseeing MFish research into
estimating bycatch levels and rates, the development of environmental standards, involvement in the
testing of bycatch mitigation techniques and occasionally chairing the Aquatic Environment Working
Group when it is considering protected species research. Nathan also participates in both the Seabird
Mitigation Technical Advisory Group and the Seabird Stakeholder Advisory Group.
SPECIAL PROJECTS SCIENTIST
Andrew Penney joined the Science Team as Special Projects Scientist in December 2006. He spent 19
years as a fisheries scientist in South Africa, and 8 years providing marine and coastal research and
management consultancy services to fishing and marine mining industries, during which time he was
also Chair of the Scientific Committee of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin
Tuna (CCSBT). He chairs the Adaptive Management Programme fisheries assessment working group
and is involved in scientific observer planning, science-management integration relating to
implementation of fisheries plans, international bottom fishery impact assessments and represents New
Zealand’s scientific interests at the proposed SPRFMO and chairs the SPRFMO science working group.
SCIENCE OFFICERS
Te Puoho Katene joined the Ministry of Fisheries in July 2007 after completing a joint BSc, majoring in
Marine Biology and Ecology and Biodiversity, and BA in Maori Studies at Victoria University. TP
worked with IT to construct a searchable Research Report database to make information more readily
available via the internet. TP is also involved in customary research planning and providing support to
the customary research tender rounds and subsequent projects. Other key tasks include contributing to
the Eel, Shellfish and Inshore Science Working Group process, contributing to the North West Inshore
Finfishplan (in particular assisting and facilitating customary meetings) and administering the Ministry
of Fisheries science working group website.
Tiffany Bock joined the Ministry of Fisheries in September 2008 after completion of an MSc in Marine
Biology at Victoria University. Tiffany is involved in providing technical support for several aspects of
the Science Team’s work, including the Antarctic, Deepwater, Middle Depths and Biodiversity Working
Groups. She is also working on projects with observer services and exploratory studies on tagging
technologies. Other key tasks include tracking science publications and coordinating the annual
Ministry of Fisheries Plenary document.
James Dare joined the science team in November 2008 following previous employment at NIWA
Hamilton, and the completion of an MSc at the Leigh Marine Laboratory in early 2008. James assists
with a variety of scientific working groups with topics ranging from hoki stock assessment, to
minimising the effect of fishing on the aquatic environment. Recently James spent four days in
Fiordland providing technical support for a recreational blue cod survey, which is being conducted in
conjunction with the Guardians of Fiordland. Other important tasks include helping to manage the
recreational catch survey technical workshop, and improving key aspects of the plenary report.
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Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa
www.tepapa.govt.nz/
Te Papa holds major, nationally important collections in marine fishes, invertebrates, marine mammals,
seabirds, macroalgae and marine reptiles. At present these areas are covered by collection managers
and/or curators. A major strategic issue for Te Papa is the very minimal staff to cover the large number
and wide range of collections. There are key gaps, especially in echinoderms, cnidarians, copepods and
polychaetes. The collections are arranged systematically, allowing any researcher to find and do
research on specimens. Our goal is to have every specimen catalogued, imaged and recorded in a
database system that assigns each a unique number and is accessible via the internet. The collections,
together with their associated data, provide an ever-expanding knowledge base that underpins Te
Papa’s research, exhibition, publication and information programmes. In addition, the marine group
actively participates with other organisations, individuals and universities in research projects as
diverse as taxonomy, evolution and molecular ecology.
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT
Simon Whittaker (Head of Collections Management & Team Leader Zoology) is the key liaison
between the Natural Environment Team and Mainzeal, who have been contracted to undertake the
construction work on the new Spirit Collection Facility. Technical staff, Joanna Wright, Matthew
Chaplin, Kent Chamberlain, Helen Mechen, Giles Speeden, Aurore Chassanite, and Nathan
Whittaker have relocated the mollusca, bird and entomology spirit collections into their new storage
area. Two-thirds of the fish collection has now also been reshelved, with only marine invertebrate,
reptile and the remaining fish collections yet to be unboxed and reshelved in June-August 09. The
technical staff are also databasing all of the mollusc and marine invertebrate spirit collections and
location coding all specimens. All tanks have been replaced with new HSNO compliant stainless steel
tanks, and all 20L polypails have been replaced with HSNO compliant polypails.
INVERTEBRATE GROUP
Rick Webber continues to organise and identify Crustacea in the wet collections for the current
databasing project, prior to their being re-shelved in the new Spirit Collection Facility. He is currently
working on a project on slipper lobsters of New Zealand and is collaborating with Prof. Emeritus Colin
McLay of Canterbury University on a report on hermit crabs collected by the NORFANZ Expedition of
2003 and with Dr Shane Ahyong on a new nephropid lobster from the Eastern Pacific.
Dr Wilma Blom of Auckland Museum has concluded her contract to identify invertebrates from deep
sea hard substrates, collected by Observers. Wilma along with Rick Webber and Thomas Schultz has
submitted a short paper to Tuhinga on the Observer coral collections. Museum Associate Elliot Dawson
continues his work on deep sea crabs of New Zealand and Australia. Dr Graham Bird of Waikanae
published a paper in late 2008 on Tanaidacea of New Zealand (Zootaxa 1877) based mainly on material
in Te Papa’s collections.
Bruce Marshall continues research on systematics and biogeography of Mollusca of the New Zealand
EEZ. Revisions of Pectinoidea and Nuculoidea (Bivalvia), and Coralliophilinae (Gastropoda:
Muricidae) are nearly ready for submission. Revisions of Lottiidae, Scissurellidae (Gastropoda) and
Nuculoidea (Bivalvia), and a paper describing a new giant mussel from shallow submarine volcanoes
on the Kermadec Ridge are proceeding. Papers were published during the year on molluscan
biodiversity in the New Zealand region during the Cenozoic, genetic analysis of a new freshwater
mussel species from the north-western South Island (with Mark Fenwick), and techniques for
collecting, storing, and examining small molluscan specimens.
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VERTEBRATE GROUP
Anton van Helden (collection Manager - Marine Mammals), has continued investigating new records
of cetaceans from the New Zealand region. The exhibition Whales/Tohora was open for five months at
Te Papa and is now touring internationally . New discoveries continue to be made with fresh stranding
of beaked whales, a rare spectacled porpoise and pygmy right whales. The Pygmy right whale
dissection involved a team of international scientists work from which is still ongoing, but involves
descriptions of locomotor muscles, laryngeal anatomy and facial anatomy. Studies of the anatomy of
the head of Gray's beaked whale and other less commonly stranding beaked whales is ongoing.
Records of all cetacean strandings in New Zealand have been recorded and updated on to the New
Zealand Whale Stranding Database (owned by the Department of Conservation), which is reported on
to the International Whaling Commission. Specimens of rare and unusual specimens have continued to
be collected by Te Papa.
The fish team, Clive Roberts, Andrew Stewart and Carl Struthers, continued FRST-funded systematic
investigations on EEZ fishes. New coastal and deep-water fish species have been discovered within the
NZ EEZ, through fieldwork and donation from networks and the subsequent research by taxonomic
specialists: Hiro Motomura (Kagoshima University Museum, Japan) visited the collection in January to
work on scorpionfishes with Carl (five potential new species); Chris Kenaley (University of
Washington, USA) visited in September to work on stomiiform fishes (nine new to the EEZ and six new
to science); Clinton Duffy (DOC Auckland) continues work on squalid dogfishes; and Peter Smith
(NIWA, Wellington) continues DNA analyses of taxonomically problematic fishes. Museum Associate
Peter McMillan continued research on NZ rattails and prepared a paper with Tomio Iwamoto
(California Academy of Sciences, USA) describing two new species. Fish collecting was carried out by
Andrew in the Ross Sea (RV Tangaroa IPY-CAML voyage) and Carl at Tuvalu (DOC-NZAid
programme). We welcomed three contract staff to the fish team: Vincent Zintzen (Researcher Marsden
Fishes), Romain Crec’hriou (Research Technician) and Lisa Moore (Collection Data Officer).
Deconstruction, redevelopment and rehousing of the wet collections continued all year, including
inventory, packing and moving fishes in jars, drums and tanks. As a consequence, direct access and
new loans have been limited. Nevertheless, a basic level of operation has been maintained.
PROJECTS & COMPLIANCE (NE MANAGEMENT)
Chris Paulin continued his research project to investigate the form and function of traditional Mäori
fishing hooks made of wood, stone, bone and shell with particular studies of hei matau worn as
decorative items. Chris was Project Manager for the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni ),
defrosting and examination on 28- 30 April at Te Papa’s Tory St facility. Interest in the colossal squid
was huge and while the general public weren’t able to access the confined space of the thawing and
dissection laboratory, they were able to watch the thaw and examination through live webcam
available from Te Papa’s and Discovery Channel’s websites. The level of national and international
interest has astounded everyone. This was the most watched online event in New Zealand’s history
with over 250,000 unique website visitors.
BOTANY
Jenn Dalen (Collection Manager - Marine Algae) continues incorporating collections generated from
various marine algae biodiversity projects, primarily those carried out by NIWA (Wellington)
researchers - Wendy Nelson, Tracy Farr, Kate Neill and collaborators. Taxonomic studies on the
Rhodymeniales also continue, with a focus on documenting new records for the New Zealand region.
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New Zealand Rock Lobster Fisheries
The NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council Ltd (NZ RLIC)
www.nzrocklobster.co.nz
The NZ RLIC is the principal contractor to the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) for the provision of rock
lobster fisheries stock monitoring and stock assessment research services. The company shareholders
comprise the regional commercial stakeholder organisations (CSOs) for each of the nine rock lobster
fishery management areas operating within the New Zealand Quota Management System (QMS). In
addition to the principal research contract, the NZ RLIC Ltd coordinates and facilitates the delivery of a
range of industry-generated and industry-funded research services in support of CSO initiatives.
The NZ RLIC has an extensive array of contractual relationships with skilled service providers in New
Zealand and overseas which enable delivery of the research services provided under contract to MFish.
The main objectives of the principal contract are determined annually by a research planning process
overseen by MFish. The core objectives are consistent with a medium term research plan for lobster
fisheries developed by the National Rock Lobster Management Group (NRLMG), a multi-sector
cooperative user group providing rock lobster fisheries advice to the Minister of Fisheries.
Stock Monitoring
The current stock monitoring work programme for the NZ RLIC Ltd and contracted providers
comprises
• observer catch sampling in four management areas and vessel Logbook programmes in three
management areas to collect length frequency and other biological data; and
• a tag release and recapture programme to measure the growth of lobsters for use in a lengthbased population model.
Observers completed 124 samples days in 2008/09 and measured 55, 000 lobsters, recording details of
size, sex, maturity, location, depth and condition. The vessel Logbook programme has over 70
participant commercial fishermen delivering similar information from 3,900 fishing events, 14,000
potlifts, and 67,000 lobsters. 3000 lobsters were tagged and released in 2008 and recaptures were
reported from all management areas covered by the tagging programme.
The NZ RLIC operates a web-based tag and release “track and trace” system that enables more timely
reporting of tag recapture data by commercial and non-commercial extractive users. The system can be
accessed at www.tagtracker.trophia.co.nz
Stock Assessment
The stock assessment science team* is principally engaged in
• updating the standardised CPUE analysis from all management areas and report on the
operation of current decision rules;
• estimating biomass and sustainable yields for nominated rock lobster stocks; and
• evaluating new management procedures for rock lobster fisheries.
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Two management procedures developed in 2007/08
informed the TAC/TACC decisions for the Otago
and Southland rock lobster fisheries implemented in
April 2008 and 2009. A new management procedure
incorporating a harvest control rule was accepted for
use by the Minister of Fisheries in 2009 and guided
the TAC/TACC decision for CRA 4. The CRA 5
industry has voluntarily adopted a procedure
intended to adjust commercial catch limits in order
to maintain stock abundance above statutory
reference targets.
*The principal stock assessment scientists are:
Paul Breen
Fisheries stock assessment
Marine mammal population dynamics
Temperate reef ecology
Carcinology and haliotology
Vivian Haist
Fisheries modeling
Terese Kendrick
Fisheries analyst and technical support
Paul Starr
Fisheries data management
Design of fisheries data collection programmes
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National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Christchurch
MARINE HYDRODYNAMICS GROUP
The group continued their research into coastal sea level prediction, tsunami inundation and general
coastal circulation using the finite-element unstructured-grid hydrodynamic model RiCOM.
Development of the model continued as a collaboration between Philip Gillibrand, Emily Lane and
David Plew with the model author Roy Walters. Studies into potential tsunami impacts in the
Northland region and Cook Strait have been undertaken in the past year, with assistance from Jade
Arnold and Jen Dumas. The hydrodynamic model has been fully integrated into the operational
environmental forecast system EcoConnect to provide daily predictions of storm surge around NZ.
Phil Gillibrand and Alison Kohout continued an investigation into the wind- and wave-driven
exchange of water between coastal bays and the continental shelf, using Golden Bay as a study site.
David Plew, and with assistance from Matt Enright, Jade Arnold and Jen Dumas, carried out further
modelling of tidal currents at locations around New Zealand to assess potential for tidal power
generation. David and Matt also ran a series of experiments investigating sediment resuspension in
riverine and estuary environments.
James Goff departed the group this year to take up a professorial chair at the University of New South
Wales, where he will continue his research into tsunamis.
Roy Walters visited from Canada during January – March 2008, to further collaboration and model
development.
MARINE SYSTEMS AND AQUACULTURE GROUP
Christchurch staff involved in the 12-year Coasts and Oceans Objective Based Investment (OBI)
programme and the four-year Sustainable Aquaculture Project have made significant progress on
outcome delivery. The first 3.5 years of the OBI was reviewed this year by the Governing Board and a
panel of overseas experts and received very high marks.
In the OBI, progress continues in a time series of sampling in Hauraki Gulf with a focus on the Firth of
Thames biophysical mooring and associated hydrographic sampling by John Zeldis. Recent results
marked 3 years of nearly unbroken data series, and a much longer record (since 1998) with about 80%
data recovery. Other long series of oxygen, currents, light, temperature and salinity are also being
acquired, along with the recent addition of optical nitrate sensors. In an allied project, Mark Gall has
installed a bio-optical mooring (C-Smart) in the outer Firth of Thames which is returning telemetred
data on upper ocean optical signals. In association with staff at Greta Point (Ali Macdiarmid, Jill
Schwarz), John Zeldis has implemented climatologies of remotely sensed ocean colour data to assess
upwelling dynamics on the northeastern North Island continental shelf. In other remote sensing work,
Jill Schwarz, Matt Pinkerton and John Zeldis have used ocean colour data to analyse the behaviour of
river plumes in Canterbury Bight.
A focus on land-ocean interactions in coastal zones by John Zeldis has led to important findings on the
relative contributions of catchment and oceanic nutrient fluxes to Firth of Thames and Nelson Bays.
This is now extending into studies comparing catchment runoff and ocean exchange dynamics with the
propensity of these systems to emit or absorb greenhouse gases.
Data from the Golden Bay Met Buoy, which is delivering ocean state data for the mouth of the bay by
telemetry to the Tasman District Council website, are now being incorporated into current modelling
studies undertaken by the Marine Hydrodynamics Group.
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The Sustainable Aquaculture Project led by Barb Hayden has made significant progress. Analysis of
long-term data (John Zeldis, Clive Howard-Williams, Chris Carter and Dave Schiel (UoC)) has
confirmed that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) affects oceanic conditions in central New
Zealand and Pelorus River flow, both of which supply nutrients to Pelorus Sound. Together, these
climatic effects strongly influence the abundance of phytoplankton and organic matter underpinning
mussel food supply, which in turn affects mussel yield. The analysis identified the key environmental
factors on which to base predictions of crop yield. Key mussel farmers are now using the results of this
project, together with NIWA’s monthly Climate Outlooks, to more accurately project crop harvests for
their factories and adjust farm stocking densities.
Craig Stevens, David Plew, Matt Enright, Stéphane Popinet and Mark Hadfield, in association with
Roger Noakes (UoC) and Jens Petersen (NERI, Denmark), continued research into the interaction
between oceanic flows and aquaculture structures, an embryonic field of science which is of
fundamental importance to open-water aquaculture. Through laboratory and farm scale investigations,
their work has led to the development of high-resolution modelling to predict farm-induced
disturbance of flow associated with wind, tides, seasonal stratification, river plumes, waves and nearshore topography.
John Zeldis, Hilke Giles, Kai Vopel and Niel Broekhuizen conducted research into the effects of
resuspension events on the remineralisation of cultured finfish faeces in coastal sediments.
Resuspension is an important physical process that is often overlooked when assessing effects of
aquaculture activities but results show that it has a significant effect on major biogeochemical reaction
processes in sediments. Using a Bayesian network analysis and nutrient mass-balance analyses, reliable
monitoring parameters for finfish farms have been identified and a model to predict finfish farm
impacts under a range of environmental and husbandry scenarios has been developed The model will
allow us to consider potential environmental outcomes of new finfish and multi-species culture
proposals under a range of environmental and husbandry scenarios.
Barb Hayden and Chris Woods completed a field assessment of the successional development of
fouling communities during normal mussel cropping cycles on two commercial farms in Pelorus
Sound. The resulting data will be used in ecosystem pathway modelling to determine the ecosystem
impacts of fouling organisms associated with mussel farming to possibly improve crop yields and
farming sustainability.
Because predicting shellfish growth is one of the milestones of the Sustainable Aquaculture Project,
Jeffrey Ren has developed shellfish dynamic energy budget (DEB) and ecosystem models for
estimating the effects of shellfish cultivation on food web dynamics, nutrient cycling, and potential
culture production in sheltered coastal waters, as well as predicting shellfish growth under different
culture scenarios with variability of environmental variables. The models now provide predictive tools
for managing shellfish aquaculture within a coastal embayment that estimates relationships between
the stock level and the growth rate of shellfish, and the potentially achievable harvest and stocking
density in relation to environmental variability.
Understanding the environmental effect on mussel energetics and predicting its growth rate are
essential for planning and managing mussel aquaculture industry. A year-long mussel growth
experiment was conducted to collect necessary information for investigating mussel growth in response
to environmental variability along the river-ocean axis of Pelorus Sound through the Sustainable
Aquaculture Project (Mark Gall, Barb Hayden and John Zeldis). Jeffrey Ren has analysed the data by
means of dynamic energy budget (DEB) modelling approach. Preliminary results have shown that
phytoplankton cell carbon is the most appropriate indicator for mussel growth following by cell
volume. However, it was also found that not all phytoplankton species contributed to the mussel
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energetics, because some species with high biomass contributed little to mussel growth. Jeffrey Ren is
continuing to indentify these phytoplankton species which cannot be utilised and those can be easily
assimilated by mussels. This information is essential for improvement of our existing DEB models to
predict mussel growth with much higher confident level.
A project studying the restoration of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary / Ihutai after diversion of the
Christchurch City wastewater stream to the ocean outfall in Pegasus Bay in late 2009 continued with
intensive pre-diversion sampling of the estuary and its rivers. The work is bolstered by numerous
student projects across four universities, ranging from undergraduate to PhD level, and the
involvement of a number of NIWA staff. Work this year has focussed on biogeochemical fluxes into
and out of the sediments (including oxygen, nutrients and denitrification rates) and on macro-algal
growth responses to various nutrient levels expected after the diversion takes place. The NIWA team is
led by John Zeldis.
A three year international FRST-funded project on Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is near
completion (Jeanie Stenton-Dozey, Jeffrey Ren and Phil Heath). The project’s aim, in collaboration
with researchers in Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute and Shandong Mariculture Institute of
China, was to develop multi-species culture on New Zealand marine farms to advance economic
diversity and growth in the aquaculture industry based on balanced trophic interconnections between
the farmed species. The waste of one species becomes food for another thus reducing environmental
impact.
Species combinations were based on supplementing existing farmed species: salmon with mussels,
seaweeds, sea cucumbers, and mussels with seaweeds and sea cucumbers. The kelp Ecklonia radiata,
successfully cultured at the NIWA Mahanga Bay facility (Sheryl Miller, Kate Neil and Phil Heath),
grew well at exposed sites with strong currents. The growth rate of mussels (Perna canaliculus) was 12%
more within 100 m of the salmon cages. The most effective way to include sea cucumbers within an
IMTA site is by ranching below cages or mussel lines where they are natural bioremediators of benthic
deposits. Mark-and-recapture experiments (Niki Davey) have shown that sea cucumbers are attracted
to the waste from farms and this was supported by feeding experiments using diets of mussel and
salmon faeces (Jeanie Stenton-Dozey). Sea cucumber seed supply for ranching is feasible through the
successful culture and ongrowing of sea cucumbers at the NIWA Mahanga Bay site in collaboration
with Professor Zhaoxing Qiu (Shandong Mariculture Institute of China) (Kevin Green and Phil Heath).
NIWA presently has about 1000 juveniles that are 14 months old.
One important milestone for this project is the development of a numerical IMTA model to help plan
and manage IMTA operations. Jeffrey Ren has completed the development of the IMTA model. For
calibration and validation of the IMTA model, field studies have been conducted to measure seasonal
variability of biophysical parameters, together with mussel and seaweed growth around a mussel and
salmon farm. This included mapping nutrients, particulate organic and inorganic matters,
biodeposition footprints, and phytoplankton dynamics. Validation of the model was conducted for
both salmon and mussel farming sites. Through continual refinement the model will ultimately serve as
a management tool to help design IMTA sites to maximise system productivity and minimise
environmental impact under a wide range of environmental conditions.
Seabird research at NIWA has centred around an examination of the possible effects of fishing activities
on population trends in several key species. Paul Sagar, David Thompson and Leigh Torres continued
their examination of the demography and foraging of white-capped albatrosses from the Auckland
Islands. This 4-year study, funded through the Conservation Services Levy by DoC, aims to determine
survival rates and breeding performances, as well as the spatio-temporal overlap between foraging
birds and fisheries activities. The latter uses geo-locator loggers, satellite telemetry and GPS loggers to
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examine the movements of birds over various scales and time. In addition, two other research projects
are in the process of gathering population and at-sea distribution data on other seabirds that occur in
fisheries bycatch. A 5-year project to determine the population size and trend and foraging areas of
white-chinned petrels and grey petrels breeding at the Antipodes Islands is now in its third year. This
year, a 3-year study of the population size, adult survival, breeding frequency and foraging areas of
Salvin’s albatrosses breeding on the Snares Western Chain and Bounty Islands was initiated.
Paul, David and Leigh are also continuing the long-term study of Buller's albatrosses at The Snares
Islands. This project began in 1992 and annual visits to study colonies since then have provided
detailed information about survival and recruitment rates, breeding success and frequency, and
foraging areas. Population data from this study are being used by Chris Francis to develop a
population model that can incorporate the direct effects of fishing mortality on population viability of
seabirds compared to other sources of mortality or trophic effects of fishing. Geo-locator loggers were
deployed on 38 breeding birds during April 2008 and retrieval of these during April 2009 should
provide the first information about the foraging areas and migration routes of these albatrosses
throughout a 12-month period. In addition, GPS loggers were used to obtain detailed information
about the foraging movements of Buller’s albatrosses during the chick guard stage. The locations of 11
birds were recorded once every 3 minutes and provide sufficient data to examine the behaviour of the
birds in relation to contemporaneous fishing activities in the area.
Martin Unwin (in association with Nick Davies) has analysed recent data for swordfish caught in the
New Zealand longline fishery as part of a Ministry of Fisheries contract. This work builds on two
previous MFish studies in 2005 and 2006, updating these earlier analyses with complete data for the
2005-2007 fishing seasons. The project uses the new data to derive standardised catch-per-unit-effort
(CPUE) indices for swordfish, which New Zealand is obliged to provide to international agencies, such
as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
MARINE BIOSECURITY AND BIODIVERSITY GROUP
The FRST-funded Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity OBI is a joint programme involving NIWA, Te
Papa and Cawthron Institute, and is lead by Wendy Nelson (Wellington) and Graeme Inglis
(Christchurch). It is continuing to address biodiversity and biosecurity issues for a wide range of
ecosystems covering five general themes:
• measuring and maintaining biodiversity,
• marine taxonomy and care of the NIWA invertebrate collection,
• tools for marine pest risk assessments,
• surveillance and monitoring for marine pests, and
• management and mitigation of marine pests.
NIWA’s Christchurch Marine Biosecurity Group (Graeme Inglis, Barb Hayden, Kate Willis, Oli
Floerl, Chris Woods, Olivia Johnston, Lisa Peacock, Marie Kospartov, Kimberley Seaward, Kate
Schimanski, Anneke van den Brink and Don Morrisey) continued work on a wide range of projects.
A new 3-year programme of nationwide targeted summer/winter surveillances for marine nonindigenous species was commissioned by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF-BNZ). Targeting 12
primary and 16 secondary non-indigenous marine species, these surveillances centre upon: Whangarei
Harbour, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga Harbour, Wellington Harbour, Nelson Harbour, Picton
Harbour, Lyttelton Harbour, Otago Harbour and Bluff Harbour. Involving a number of staff from
various NIWA centres being utilised to conduct the nationwide surveillances, the Christchurch
surveillance team concentrated on conducting Lyttelton, Otago and Bluff Harbour surveillances
(Graeme Inglis, Don Morrisey, Chris Woods, Kate Willis, Lisa Peacock, Marie Kospartov, Kimberley
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Seaward, Kate Schimanski, Anneke van den Brink, John Carter, Dan Cairney, Mike Page, Sheryl
Miller, Lindsay Hawke, Oliver Floerl, Roberta D’Archino, Neil Blair, Niki Davey, Eric Stevens,
Andrew Willsman, Ralph Dickson and Matt Enright).
Following the detection of the non-indigenous Mediterranean Fanworm Sabella spallanzanii in the Port
of Lyttelton in March 2008 during a targeted surveillance, MAF-BNZ implemented an Interim
Measures response in August. This response involved a coordinated delimitation and removal effort
between NIWA, Diving Services NZ Ltd and MAF-BNZ within the Port of Lyttelton, resulting in the
removal of 105 specimens of S. spallanzanii, which were positively identified by the Marine Invasive
Taxonomic Service (MITS). A second delimitation and removal effort in November resulted in the
detection and removal of a further 15 specimens (Graeme Inglis, Geoff Read, Chris Woods, Kate
Willis, Lisa Peacock, Marie Kospartov, Kimberley Seaward, Kate Schimanski, Anneke van den
Brink, John Carter, Dan Cairney, Shane Ahyong, Sheryl Miller, Lindsay Hawke, Serena Cox and
Steve Mercer).
Final Rapid Response Manuals, and an overall general procedures manual, were developed for the
Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) on five marine pests that are
currently listed on the emergency response trigger list of the Australian Intergovernmental
Consultative Committee on Introduced Marine Pest Emergencies. The manuals provide detailed
information and guidance for emergency responses to incursions of these pests: the Northern Pacific
seastar (Asterias amurensis), Wakame or Asian seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida), European shore crab
(Carcinus maenas), the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis) and the black striped mussel (Mytilopsis sallei)
(Graeme Inglis and Kimberley Seaward).
An interim report presenting progress made in updating the state of knowledge of non-indigenous and
cryptogenic marine species in New Zealand was submitted to MAF-BNZ. Ten years ago, Cranfield et al.
(1998) published a consolidated account of the non-indigenous and cryptogenic species that had been
recorded from New Zealand marine environments. Since that time, the number of non-indigenous and
cryptogenic marine species recorded in New Zealand has more than tripled as a result of surveys
funded by MAF-BNZ, other biodiversity-related research and reports made by members of the public.
This interim report compiles records for a total of 590 non-indigenous and cryptogenic marine species
from New Zealand waters. Preliminary information on their taxonomy and biosecurity status were
reported, these were represented by 16 phyla, dominated by the phyla Arthropoda, Porifera, Annelida
and Bryozoa. The final report will add to the interim report with relevant criteria, global and national
distributions and potential vectors of introduction and spread around New Zealand for all nonindigenous species (Graeme Inglis, Kimberley Seaward, Marie Kospartov, Anneke van den Brink,
Shane Ahyong and Roberta D’Archino).
A final report was presented to MAF-BNZ based on research carried out between 2004 and 2007, when
NIWA sampled fouling assemblages on 182 international yachts in a range of NZ ports and marinas.
The report examines the risk of hull fouling on international yachts as an introduction vector of nonindigenous marine species to New Zealand (Oli Floerl, Matt Smith, Graeme Inglis, Niki Davey,
Kimberley Seaward, Olivia Johnston, Isla Fitridge (departed 2007), Nicola Rush and Crispin
Middleton).
A second MAF-BNZ project assessed the relative risks of biofouling on different classes of international
vessel. Standardized data on the distribution, identity and abundance of fouling organisms (native and
non-native) were assembled from separate MAF-BNZ projects that sampled merchant vessels, private
yachts, and cruise liners that entered New Zealand between 2005 and 2007. Companion data collected
on the maintenance and travel history of each of the more than 400 vessels are being modelled to
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identify useful predictors of the presence and abundance of non-native species on the vessels (Graeme
Inglis, Martin Unwin and Oli Floerl).
Work continued on the production of final reports for MAF-BNZ from Port baseline surveys of native
and non-native marine organisms conducted at 11 ports and marinas around New Zealand (Graeme
Inglis, Marie Kospartov, Kimberley Seaward, Kate Schimanski, Anneke van den Brink and Lisa
Peacock).
A draft report on domestic vessel movements within New Zealand was submitted to MAF-BNZ. This
report evaluated domestic vessel pathways for different vessel categories from 24 ports and marinas
surveyed during earlier port baseline surveys, mapping flow strengths and seasonal patterns in vessel
movements (Barb Hayden, Martin Unwin, Helen Roulston, Lisa Peacock, Oliver Floerl and Marie
Kospartov).
A final report on the assessment of population management trial options for the non-indigenous
clubbed tunicate Styela clava was presented to MAF-BNZ. For three locations (Tutukaka Marina, Port of
Lyttelton and Magazine Bay Marina), this report detailed: 1) distribution and density of S. clava; 2)
identified human-mediated vectors with the potential to spread S. clava; 3) identified and determined
the risk of S. clava spreading to Highly Valued Areas; 4) prioritised key sites within each location for
efficacy trials of control measures, and; 5) a population management programme for each location
(Nick Gust (departed 2007), Graeme Inglis, Oliver Floerl and Lisa Peacock).
A delimitation survey for S. clava in Marsden Cove Marina, discovered during one of the routine
targeted surveillances, was conducted for the Northland Regional Council. The final report for this
delimitation survey documented the extent and density of this new incursion (Graeme Inglis, Crispin
Middleton, Lisa Peacock, Matt Smith and Marie Jordan).
A project was initiated to develop capability in marine response technologies by identifying and
developing novel and innovative marine response tools. The work is focussing on treatment
technologies for application to marine pest species on natural substrates, including soft and hard
sediments, intertidal and sub tidal environments, and on large and small spatial scales (Kate Willis,
Graeme Inglis, Barb Hayden and Chris Woods).
Graeme Inglis and Oli Floerl presented a 4-day training course in Turkey on the design and
implementation of surveys for introduced marine pests. The training was delivered as part of the
Globallast Partnerships Project (Globallast), which is a 4-year joint initiative of the Global Environment
Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) that is designed to assist developing countries implement the International
Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. NIWA’s contribution to
this programme has been to develop and deliver training on surveys for marine pests and, more
generally, to help raise global awareness of marine pest issues and their management. The 43
participants on the course came from 18 countries around the Mediterranean basin and included a mix
of scientists, environmental managers and senior maritime agency staff (Graeme Inglis and Oliver
Floerl).
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National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Greta Point
BIOTECHNOLOGY GROUP
Hoe Chang continues studies on the taxonomy, pigment composition, toxicological properties, and
cultures of toxic microalgal species. He has collaborated with colleagues to combine molecular genetics
with cell morphology, toxin chemistry, toxicology and pigment HPLC to discriminate closely related,
harmful algal species. Hoe has started a new project on the phytoplankton ecology of the International
Polar Year samples and has served as a member of the editorial board of Plankton and Benthos.
Vicky Webb, Anna Kilimnik, Sally Anderson, Debbie Hulston, and Matt Voyles are focused on
identifying diseases of New Zealand aquacultured fin fish and implementing innovative fish disease
management tools. Els Maas and Matt Voyles are investigating the diversity of marine bacteria in the
sediments and water from around New Zealand and the Ross Sea Antarctica. The research focuses on
the role bacteria play in the degradation of organic matter and the involvement of marine bacteria in
biogeochemical cycles in the oceans. Peter Smith and Margaret McVeagh are working on the
population genetics of fishes and invertebrates. The Biotech group are collaborating with the Dirk
Steinke from the University of Guelph in the Barcode of Life programme on the bar coding of marine
fishes and macro-invertebrates from around New Zealand and in the Ross Sea. The COI markers are
being used to identify fillets and suspect specimens in marine fisheries.
The group's capabilities include, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular taxonomy, population
genetics, bioassay development both cell based and enzyme based; the isolation and characterisation of
microbes including fish disease causal organisms, extremophiles; and profiling microbial populations
from environmental samples.
PhD
Rebecca Cowie jointly supervised by Drs Els Maas and Ken Ryan, Victoria University.
Sea ice microbial diversity and community structure in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
COASTAL GROUP
This Wellington based group is involved in a wide range of research projects, including marine benthic,
inshore, pelagic, and shellfish ecology and fisheries, oyster ecology and stock assessment, the
estimation of age and growth in shellfish and finfish, rock lobster recruitment and shark reproductive
ecology, as well as the effects of fishing, and the relationships between fisheries, ecosystems, and the
physical environment.
Jeff Forman leads the project that continues to monitor the rates of puerulus settlement along the major
rock lobster fishing coasts of New Zealand. Jeff also plays an important role in assessing the rates of
Bonamia infection in the Foveaux Strait oyster stocks, is involved in trophic relationship studies, and
maintains the meta database for Ministry of Fisheries projects.
Malcolm Francis focuses on the study of inshore and pelagic fisheries and ecology, with emphasis on
sharks and other cartilaginous species. Malcolm and Michael Manning continued their collaboration
with Clinton Duffy (Department of Conservation) investigating the migrations and diving behaviour of
great white sharks. They carried out a successful tagging expedition to Stewart Island, tagging nine
sharks with popup satellite tags to bring the total deployed to 24. All tags which were retained more
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than a week eventually popped up and transmitted data from subtropical and tropical locations,
including Kermadec Islands, Norfolk Island, Tonga, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Great Barrier
Reef. The tags transmit data on depth, temperature and location to satellites, enabling us to reconstruct
their journeys and analyse their dives, which often exceed 700 m depth. Five porbeagle sharks were
also tagged in conjunction with John Holdsworth (Blue Water Marine Research) and have transmitted
120–240 days of useful data each. Malcolm has also been conducting an experiment to estimate the
home range of juvenile rig (spotted dogfish) in Porirua and Pauatahanui estuaries, near Wellington, by
internally tagging rig with acoustic transmitters, and embedding 26 acoustic receivers in the seabed in
an array that monitors the entire estuaries. Malcolm and NIWA colleagues have prepared two reports
on the Kermadec Islands (on fisheries and biodiversity) for the Pew Environment Group. Malcolm also
teamed up with an Irish colleague, Michael Gallagher, to re-examine the age and growth of the
Antarctic starry skate, Amblyraja georgiana, an important bycatch in the Ross Sea toothfish fishery. Their
new interpretation suggests that these skates are much slower growing and longer lived than
previously thought.
Lynda Griggs Lynda continues to work on pelagic fisheries, including bycatch in tuna fisheries and the
provision of data to international agencies. Lynda also works with longline fishery observers and
observer data, and provides sea surface temperature forecasts to tuna fishers. She has been involved
with the transfer and loading of observer data from various fisheries onto the (relatively new) central
observer database. Lynda has also recently been involved with the preparation of an identification
guide for pelagic fish species in conjunction with Peter McMillan, and with Malcolm Francis (and
others), has been preparing summaries of fishing activity, catches, and biodiversity in the Kermadec
region.
Steve Mercer continues his role as NIWA’s chief diving officer and plays a critical role in training
NIWA and other NZ scientists for ice diving as well as overseeing New Zealand’s Antarctic diving
operations. Steve has recently obtained approval for NIWA to conduct their diver training programme
in accordance with the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) guidelines, and at the
completion of training, we are now able to issue a Scientific Diver qualification which has international
acceptability. Steve also plays an active role on NIWA’s Health and Safety committee.
Keith Michael continues his case study of drivers of oyster production in Foveaux Strait. This includes
research on the interactions of environmental drivers, benthic assemblages, oyster biology and ecology,
microcell parasites (especially Bonamia exitiosa), and the response of the oyster fishery to fishing. As
well as stock assessment and bonamia surveys, a number of other key research projects are underway.
These include the development and evaluation of new dredge designs and fishing procedures, research
to partition the fishery into spatial-management areas with high and low oyster production, and the
development of oyster enhancement and bonamia mitigation strategies. This research is being
undertaken through a number of collaborative projects with MFish, FRST, Seafood Innovations, and the
fishing industry. Keith has contributed to the Oyster Fishery Management Plan approved in May 2009
and is a member of the management plan group as a science advisor. Other research projects that Keith
has been involved with include developing fisheries for surf clams, geoducs (with Pete Notman), and
deepwater crabs (with Reyn Naylor). Keith has also supported Kelly May in developing the capability
and strategies to allow hapu/iwi groups to implement customary management of their Rohe.
Reyn Naylor with support from Pete Notman and Owen Anderson has responsibility for stock
assessment surveys of paua and kina populations around New Zealand. Reyn most recently completed
a series of paua abundance surveys along the Fiordland coast. Over the last year, he has also been
involved with surveys of kaimoana around Wellington’s south coast, and with Keith Michael, was
involved in the preparation of a proposal to develop the deepwater crab fishery in New Zealand.
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Pete Notman is actively involved in a wide range of diving projects, which last year included some
time under the Antarctic sea ice. He spends much of his time preparing and updating Arc GIS NABIS
maps of species diversity, and last year, in collaboration with Keith Michael, also prepared a proposal
for the sustainable development of a Geoduc fishery. He is also Greta Point’s Regional Small Boat
Manager, maintaining the fleet and controlling operations.
Caoimhghin Ó Maolagáin continued his fish ageing work and contributed to age and growth studies
of jack mackerels (with Paul Taylor), smooth oreo dory (with Chris Dick and Peter McMillan), trevally
(with Jeremy McKenzie) and several rattail species (with Darren Stevens). He was also involved with
hoki otoliths in a collaborative effort with Australian researchers using laser ablation techniques to
assess stock discrimination and the age of juveniles (with Helen Neil). A newly acquired precision
sectioning saw from Denmark with digital control brings the otolith lab to the cutting edge of fisheries
research.
DEEPWATER FISHERIES GROUP
Staff in the deepwater group are involved in a wide variety of research across NIWA, but their focus is
primarily research on deepwater commercial fishes and fisheries, specifically for orange roughy, oreos
and black cardinalfish. Work on these species involves assessing stock size using acoustic and trawl
techniques, analysing commercial catch and effort data and researching their biology. There is an
increasing emphasis on examining broader ecological and environmental aspects of the fish, their
fisheries, on impacts of fishing in the high seas as well as in Ross Seas region, and the by-catch species,
and also including the general ecology of seamounts.
Matthew Dunn is the Group Manager. The focus of his work continues to be orange roughy stock
assessments for MFish with Owen Anderson, Andy McKenzie, and Sophie Mormede, including
analyses of commercial fisheries catch per unit effort data, descriptive analyses of the fisheries, analysis
of biological data, and stock assessment modelling. This stock assessment research in 2008 was focused
on the orange roughy stock on the east and south Chatham Rise, and led to revised assumptions of
stock structure, and new estimates of recruitment and stock status. As a result of this research, the
Ministry of Fisheries substantially reduced the commercial catch quota for this stock. Matt also
continued to lead research into the feeding interrelationships of middle depth fish species on the
Chatham Rise, with the final analyses of diet now completed for more than half of the 25 species
studied (with M.Sc. student Amelia Connell, and NIWA staff Jeff Forman, Brent Wood, Peter Horn and
Darren Stevens).
Malcolm Clark has continued work on orange roughy around New Zealand, with a particular focus on
fisheries outside the EEZ. With Matt Dunn, Sira Ballara, Steve Parker (NIWA) and Andrew Penney
(MFish) he has worked on fisheries summaries and identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems
relevant to the developing South Pacific RFMO. Malcolm also heads a FRST-funded programme on the
ecology and effects of fishing on seamounts in the New Zealand region. NIWA staff involved in this
include Ashley Rowden, Mireille Consalvey, Michelle Kelly, Dennis Gordon, Rob Stewart, Brent Wood,
Kevin MacKay, Richard O’Driscoll, Jennifer Devine, Kareen Schabel Peter Smith, and Di Tracey. This
programme has compiled information on the physical and biological characteristics of seamounts, and
the effects of fishing on seamount habitat and fauna. In 2008 this included related work with MFish
analysing a 2006 survey of Chatham Rise seamounts to monitor changes over time (with Rob Stewart,
Suze Baird, and David Bowden). Malcolm is also a principle investigator of CenSeam (a global census
of marine life on seamounts), along with Ashley Rowden and Karen Stocks (San Diego SuperComputer
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Center), with Mireille Consalvey as project coordinator. Since 2005 CenSeam has been actively
promoting and supporting international collaboration and coordination of seamount. Malcolm has
maintained an active presence at international meetings related to seamounts, deepwater fisheries
research and management, and over the last year has presented papers at several overseas conferences
and workshops.
Di Tracey has continued to work on biological aspects of ageing and age validation of orange roughy,
black cardinalfish, and ribaldo for stock assessment. This includes the use of radiocarbon and
radioisotope methods for age validation and involves international collaborators. Coral research has
intensified for Di, and along with Helen Neil she convened the 4th International Deepsea Coral
Symposium, held in Wellington December 1-5 2008 and hosted by NIWA. To coincide with this
Symposium Di & Helen worked with Te Papa to launch “Corals – hidden beauties of the deep”, a
display of deepsea corals. Post the Symposium, Di, Sadie Mills and Kareen Schnabel organised a
coral identification workshop that was held at NIWA. Research continues on the distribution of
habitat-forming scleractinian or stony corals in the New Zealand region with Ashley Rowden, Kevin
Mackay, and John Leathwick, on stony coral age validation with Helen Neil and Peter Marriott, and on
protected and proposed to be protected corals as part of a DoC government observer project . A Coral
Guide for observers and researchers was completed as part of the DoC project. Di has participated in
various projects to identify benthic invertebrate samples from commercuial and research surveys. Work
on trawl impacts on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME’) has resulted in two additional Guides for
the Ross and High seas (SPRFMO) regions that Di has prepared with Steven Parker and other NIWA
staff. Seamount ecology work for Di also includes work with Malcolm and Ashley on fish compositions
and biodiversity surveys. In March 2008 Di participated in the Macquarie Ridge seamount survey on
Tangaroa
Owen Anderson has focused on deep water fisheries projects, largely with Matt Dunn and Andy
McKenzie. His work included projects to estimate non-target catches in commercial fisheries, and to
describe the fisheries, biology, and standardised CPUE analyses for orange roughy and oreos. Owen
also analysed fisheries conversion factor data, reviewing and updating the official factors used to
convert landed weights of processed fish to greenweights. He leads NIWA work to produce marine
species distribution maps for the Ministry of Fisheries NABIS website. Owen has been involved as a
diver in various shellfish projects, especially surveys of paua stocks, and for invasive species. Owen has
continued to develop an expertise in echinoderm taxonomy, and worked in the invertebrate collection
identifying echinoid and crinoid specimens collected on MFish funded voyages such as the recent
Oceans Survey 2020 and IPY CAML surveys. He has produced identification sheets for echinoderms for
the Benthic Invertebrate Guide (with Di Tracey). In 2009 he published his first primary paper
describing a new echinoid species and presented his research on another group of echinoids at the
International Echinodern Conference in Hobart.
Peter McMillan, along with Ian Doonan, Andy Mckenzie, Alan Hart, and Ralph Coburn, completed
stock assessments of the recently developed Bounty Plateau smooth oreo fishery and the longestablished west Chatham Rise black oreo fishery. Peter participated in the IPY survey of the Ross Sea
early in the year and also worked on a number of Ministry of Fisheries projects, but his main focus later
in the year was on producing two field identification guides for commonly-caught New Zealand fishes.
The first of these, aimed mainly at observers, and fisheries biologists dealt with about 249 species
caught by trawling, and the second covered 97 species caught by surface fishing methods (surface longline, purse seine).
Paul Grimes is carrying out histological gonad studies on hoki and Antarctic toothfish. Samples from
the December subantarctic surveys are being used to estimate the spawning percentage of hoki using a
range of indicators of previous spawning. For Antarctic Toothfish similar techniques are being used in
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an attempt to estimate age at first maturity. Paul is also looking at using a combination of macroscopic
and microscopic techniques to estimate size at maturity of four rattail species.
Alan Hart has focused on ageing of deepwater fishes, and image analysis for biodiversity studies of
benthic invertebrates. Alan developed an identification guide for the invertebrates seen in benthic
video surveys on the Chatham Rise, which is now being used for larger-scale benthic biodiversity
surveys. He also worked on ageing several previously unaged deepwater species, and was the principle
otolith reader in a project to age smooth oreo. Alan continued to work on the analysis of acoustic data
collected during the oreo and orange roughy surveys on the Chatham Rise, and which is used to
estimate biomass for stock assessment. Alan also completed two research surveys on board Tangaroa,
one in the subantarctic, primarily to measure the abundance and distribution of southern blue whiting,
and one on the Chatham Rise, to study the fishes and invertebrates found in the mesopelagic layers.
Brent Wood continues to provide database and Geographic Information System (GIS) expertise to
support deepwater fisheries, biodiversity, and other NIWA projects. He has a primary interest is the
use of Open Source (free) software GIS and database tools, and within NIWA takes a lead role in
specifying and building computer systems and analysis methods. Brents work over the last year has
focused on fisheries research in Oman, including the development of database and server systems, as
well as working on the research trawl surveys. Other recent projects include devising and
implementing a new approach to analysing and plotting commercial benthic fisheries data (with Suze
Baird), and developing new tools for data driven mapping of data. Brent also completed the Tangaroa
survey in the Antarctic, as part of the International Polar Year.
Peter “Chazz” Marriott Peter does a wide variety of work. He has used his photographic skills to
support a wide range of projects both within and outside of the deepwater group. and he has continued
to lead the fish imagery component of the new finfish identification guide (with Peter McMillan).
Continued to oversee and run the micromill and trained people in its use, both from NIWA and as a
training course for staff from James Cook University, Australia. He participated in two trips to
Antarctica one as a fisheries biologist/photographer on the BioRoss survey, the other as a
diver/videographer on a near shorebased benthic ecology survey and analysed video samples after the
trip. He also participated in a fisheries survey in Oman. He is currently focusing on on the analysis of
video and stills imagery from the DTIS (Deep Water Towed Imaging System) for both the Oceans 20/20
biodiversty surveys and the BioRoss surveys.
Mireille Consalvey is the co-ordinator of the international Census of Marine Life project CenSeam (a
global census of marine life on seamounts) to which NIWA plays host to the secretariat (also
comprising Malcolm Clark and Ashley Rowden (NIWA) and Karen Stocks from the San Diego
Supercomputer Center, USA). CenSeam started in 2005 and will run to October 2010. The programme is
working towards challenging the reigning seamount paradigms, and developing an overall greater
understanding of seamounts and their similarities and dissimilarities to other deep-sea habitats.
Mireille is also also involved in the MFISH/FRST Seamounts Programme - participating in several
voyages as a biologist and the education and outreach coordinator (see the CenSeam website
http://censeam.niwa.co.nz/outreach/censeam_cruises) as well as post-voyage research.
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MARINE BIODIVERSITY GROUP
The NIWA Marine Biodiversity Wellington Group are systematics experts in marine macroalgae and in
a variety of invertebrate taxa. Their original researches on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the New
Zealand biota are supported through funding from FRST and the Ministry of Fisheries, as is the
ongoing development of the NIWA Invertebrate Collection. The Group also provide taxonomic services
within NIWA and for various external agencies. The Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service (MITS),
which provides identifications of all taxa collected by Biosecurity New Zealand marine surveys, has
been particularly busy during the year.
The NIWA Invertebrate Collection (NIC) at Greta Point, Wellington, provides one of the largest New
Zealand repositories for marine invertebrate diversity and contains specimens of nearly all phyla from
the southwest Pacific region and the Ross Sea. Kareen Schnabel (Collection Manager), Sadie Mills
(Curatorial Assistant), Dean Stotter (Marine Science Technician) and Caroline Chin (Marine Ecology
and Biodiversity Technician) maintain the registration database, collection curation, host visitors and
oversee the sample acquisition through research programs by NIWA, MFish and other institutions (e.g.
Ocean Survey 20/20 voyages to the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau (2007) and to the Ross Sea
(2008)). The expansion of both the general collection and the type room has been completed and
upgrading the facility and improving accessibility is ongoing. In 2007 and 2008, the NIC has hosted
nearly 50 national and international scientific visitors, resulting in more than 40 publications. It also
engaged in outreach and teaching activities such as tours to the collection, museum displays and the
regional annual Kid’s Conferences. In December 2008, the NIC was also involved with hosting the 4th
International Deep-Sea Coral Symposium and a coral identification workshop in Wellington.
The Macroalgal Team of Wendy Nelson, Tracy Farr, Kate Neill and Roberta D’Archino run or
contribute to several algal research projects as further explained below. The team have strong
collaborative links with Judy Broom (University of Otago, Biochemistry Department) who provides
expertise in molecular biology and phylogenetic analyses, and also with Jenn Dalen at the herbarium of
the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Kate, Roberta and Wendy contribute algal expertise to the
Port and Harbour Surveys and Surveillance programmes.
Marine Biodiversity Group changes in the past year include former stalwarts of the MITS service,
Andrew Hosie and Laith Jawad, making career moves taking them to the Western Australian Museum
and the Ministry of Fisheries, Oman, respectively, while earlier Isopoda expert Niel Bruce returned to
Australia to join the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville. Niel has continued contact with
NIWA and is finalising his taxonomic projects on the NZ fauna. Also, in 2008 Michelle Carter
successfully completed her Bryozoa research which has been supported by NIWA, won the best talk
prize at the NZMSS conference, and gained her doctorate for the thesis “The functional morphology of
avicularia in cheilostome bryozoans”. She has returned to the UK, having already completed several
papers with Dennis Gordon.
Shane Ahyong is the Manager of the Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity Wellington Group and
Manager of the MITS biosecurity work. His research continues on the phylogeny and systematics of the
decapod and stomatopod Crustacea, and invasive species. Current projects include phylogenetics of
various selected decapod and stomatopod groups using morphological and molecular data, and
taxonomic revisions of New Zealand stomatopods and decapods, particularly from deep water.
Collaboration with several overseas labs is ongoing, from which one output has been publication of a
book on mantis shrimps of Taiwan.
Janet Bradford-Grieve remains on campus in an emeritus position. She is working on a cladistic
analysis of the Calanidae and Calanoida (Copepoda), based on morphological characters. She is co-
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ordinating with US colleagues in incorporating genetic information into these analyses. She is also
contributing to ongoing work on a trophic model of the Ross Sea.
Serena Cox manages the MITS database (in Specify) and the MITS collection, with support from
Caroline Chin. She oversees daily running of the service, sample registration, loan dispatch and client
updates. In addition she is training in anemone parataxonomy.
Roberta D’Archino is a phycologist with strong field and diving experience, recently appointed to the
Biodiversity group. She has been focusing on post-doctoral work on the systematics of the red algal
family Kallymeniaceae.
Tracy Farr has been leading a research programme on the coralline algae of northern New Zealand
which has just been completed with the production of a guide to common species. Tracy is also a key
member of the OBI algal taxonomy programme.
Dennis Gordon continues work on the systematics and phylogeny of Cretaceous to Recent Bryozoa.
Applications of this research extend to identifying invasive and nuisance bryozoan species, those from
areas of seafloor impacted by dredging and trawling or which are newly sampled such as seamounts
and hot vents, and new fossil taxa and stratigraphic range records. Much time was devoted to
preparing final drafts and illustrations for chapters in the three-volume Inventory of New Zealand
Biodiversity, with volume 1 appearing in May 2009. He is involved with several international
biodiversity activities - Catalogue of Life (team member), Species 2000 Asia-Oceania (acting chair),
World Register of Marine Species (Steering Committee), and Ocean Biogeographic Information System
(Editorial/Science Committee).
Niamh Kilgallen commenced work on the systematic of Amphipoda as a two year postdoctoral
researcher. She has particular expertise in the lysiannassoid amphipods, which she is using as the entry
point to the New Zealand amphipod fanua.
Michelle Kelly (Auckland campus) is Project Leader for Marine Invertebrate Taxonomy in the FRSTfunded Biodiversity and Biosecurity programme at NIWA. She is currently carrying out research on
three NIWA biodiversity Memoirs with various colleagues around the world – on the Cladorhizidae
(Order Poecilosclerida), or “carnivorous sponges” with Jean Vacelet of Marseille, and on the euretid
and aulocalycid Hexactinellida, or glass sponges with Henry Reiswig. She has also commenced the
drafting of a general field guide to the sponges of northern New Zealand called “Simply sponges” in
response to the call for such a guide that will cross the spectrum from the identification of sponges in
the field from images and specimens, to use by school children and taxonomists. A major work carried
out in 2008 has been the identification of over 400 sponges from the marine lakes of Palau and
Indonesia collected by the Coral Reef Research Foundation in 2007 during a regional biodiversity
survey. These will be compared to the sponges of Raja Amputs in Iryan Jaya in 2009.
Anne-Nina Lörz has taxonomy and ecology of Southern Ocean and New Zealand amphipods as her
main research interest. She has described several new species via morphological and molecular tools.
Anne is working on the relationship of the Antarctic and New Zealand amphipod family Epimeriidae
with a main focus on molecular biogeography. Together with Oliver Coleman from the
Naturkundemuseum in Berlin Anne identified amphipods collected during the Ocean Survey 20/20
voyages and the International Polar Year Ross Sea expedition. Currently Anne is improving her skills of
electronic inking for new species descriptions.
Sadie Mills has extended her invertebrate identification skills by undertaking parataxonomy training
in the New Zealand Ophiuroidea fauna with Tim O’Hara at Melbourne’s Museum Victoria and, besides
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her NIC curation work, has since provided identifications for several major New Zealand EEZ projects,
including Oceans Survey 20/20. Sadie recently published a paper from her MSc thesis work on seagrass
macrofauna ecology along with Katrin Berkenbusch.
Kate Neill is leading a study on the macroalgae of soft sediment environments assisted by Roberta
D’Archino, Wendy Nelson and Tracy Farr. In addition to a range of macroalgal projects (in
biodiversity, biosecurity, and aquaculture), Kate is also contributing to a number of projects through
her identification of Asteroidea echinoderms.
Wendy Nelson is leads the Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity OBI, and also works closely with the
macroalgal team. Wendy’s current work includes research on the systematics and life-histories of New
Zealand seaweeds. In particular she is focusing on the systematics of the Bangiales, Gigartinales and
Dictyotales, as well as the macroalgae of the Balleny Islands.
Geoff Read continues work on the biology and taxonomy of Polychaeta, and provides polychaete
identification for research on vent, seep, and seamount habitats, Ocean Survey 20/20 projects, port and
ship hull fauna biosecurity, and other NIWA coastal research activities. Significant polychaete events
for Geoff in 2008 included discovery of a population of the rare and hitherto enigmatic intertidal
spionid Spio aequalis, and encountering the first New Zealand specimen of the notorious alien Sabella
spallanzanii. Geoff moderates the international Annelida list and maintains a web-site for annelid
research information.
Kareen Schnabel is the Collection Manager of the NIWA Invertebrate Collection (see above). She has
also been responsible for coordinating curation and cataloguing of biological samples on various NIWA
biodiversity voyages between 2006 and 2008 (e.g. the IPY-CAML voyage to the Ross Sea in JanuaryMarch 2008). Besides these tasks, her research interest is in the taxonomy, phylogeny and
phylogeography of southwest Pacific Anomura with special focus on squat lobsters (families
Galatheidae and Chirostylidae). Collaborations with international and national scientists are ongoing
and have resulted in a number of popular articles and scientific papers such as the catalogue of squat
lobsters of the world.
MARINE ECOLOGY GROUP
This Wellington based group focuses on the ecology of a wide variety of benthic and pelagic habitats
and species including reef fishes, shallow, deepwater and Antarctic benthic species, seamount and vent
fauna, mesozooplankton, sea birds and marine mammals. This research is supported through a
combination of funding from the Ministry of Fisheries, the Department of Conservation, FRST Antarctic
NZ, regional councils and international funding sources.
Jenny Beaumont is a benthic ecologist and at present principally works on the ecology of rocky reefs
and seamounts and in large scale ecosystem mapping projects. She has worked extensively underwater
on benthic species around the Antarctic peninnsula and in western Scotland and supervised NIWA’s
Antarctic diving operations in November/December 2008.
David Bowden is a benthic ecologist working on species distributions in a range of habitats including
methane seeps, the Chatham Rise, Challenger Plateau, and the Ross Sea. He has played an important
role over the last year in developing NIWA’s capacity to acquire, manage and analyse seabed images of
continental shelf and deep sea habitats.
217
Julie Brown is the DeltaPlus mass spectrometer technician responsible for the C & N stable isotope
analysis of a wide range of mainly solid organic samples. Along with sample processing, other work
includes data management and instrument maintenance.
Sarah Bury’s main interests are phytoplankton ecology, primary production, carbon and nitrogen
fluxes in the ocean, and the application of stable isotope techniques to environmental studies. Sarah is
currently involved in several coastal ecosystem food web studies using C and N stable isotopes to trace
nutrient flow through the systems. Sarah runs and manages the Deltaplus continuous flow stable
isotope mass spectrometer facility at Greta Point. The Deltaplus analyses carbon and nitrogen content
and stable isotope ratios in solid and liquid samples and is central to environmental process work
within NIWA.
Vonda Cummings works on benthic community ecology and shellfish population ecology especially
with her colleagues from NIWA’s Hamilton campus. Work in the past year has included investigating
settlement cues and dispersal of post-settlement macrofauna in response to disturbance, determining
suitable methodology for community-based shellfish reseeding projects, and developing NIWA’s Ross
Sea (Antarctica) shallow water coastal research.
Mark Fenwick recently joined the group from a position at Te Papa. Mark’s principal work is in the
quantitative analysis of images of marine benthic fauna and the sorting and curation of museum
specimens.
Jane Halliday contines to work closely with her NIWA Hamilton based colleagues. Predominately this
work is to quantify human induced changes on estuarine systems, using benthic soft-sediment
macrofauna as indicators of ecosystem health.
Alison MacDiarmid has been working on research initiatives examining historical changes in NZ’s
marine ecosystem over the last 1000 years as well as projects on mapping New Zealand’s marine
environmental values and another developing a risk assessment model examining anthropogenic
impacts on New Zealand’s coastal ecosystem. Her rock lobster research now takes place within the
context of a broader project examining the functional ecology of north-east New Zealand rocky reefs.
Catherine Stevens is part way through a two year post-doctoral fellowship working on
mesozooplankton from New Zealand and Antarctic waters. Her appointment represents a first step
toward re-establishing active mesozooplankton ecological research and expertise at NIWA after the
retirement of Janet Grieve. Mesozooplankton parataxonomy forms a large part of her work.
Identification of mesozooplankton species and determination of abundance and biomass in the Ross
Sea and on the Chatham Rise will provide valuable biodiversity data and feed into predictive, trophic
models. Recently she has set up a continous plankton recorder (CPR) project with collaboration from
the fishing industry that will collect samples between mainland NZ and the Ross Sea.
Rob Stewart works on a wide variety of projects including organising and taking part in biological
sampling aspects of ocean voyages and the analysis of benthic images from deepwater cameras
primarily used on seamounts. Other tasks include management of the Greta Point aquarium facility
and helping Cat Stevens to set up a continuous plankton recorder project.
David Thompson is primarily involved in research on the foraging and population biology of seabirds,
and the use of stable isotope techniques in ecology. Early in 2008 he was joined by Leigh Torres, a post
doctoral fellow, and a specialist in spatial analysis who is working on integrating the foraging patterns
of tagged seabirds with oceanographic and fisheries data. Leigh also has a background in marine
mammal behavioural and spatial ecology.
218
Ashely Rowden undertakes research on benthic assemblages on seamounts, vents and seeps and other
habitats. He is a co-lead PI on the CenSeam project which is part of the international Census of Marine
Life programme.
MARINE PHYSICS GROUP
Steve Chiswell studies ocean circulation around New Zealand using satellite data in combination with
moored observations and ship-board hydrography. He is interested in characterising variability in the
currents surrounding New Zealand, especially in comparing model and real worlds. He is also
examining the generation and propagation of internal tides. He is also interested in larval dispersal at a
variety of timescales from days to months.
Tim Divett has recently joined the Marine Physics Group at NIWA Greta Point to work on a PhD on
tidal stream marine energy. He has previously worked at University of Otago, Cawthron and OPUS.
The project is looking at ways to optimize arrangements of tidal turbines to maximize power while
minimizing environmental impact and is supervised by Craig Stevens (NIWA Marine Physics) and
Ross Vennell at Otago. He will develop computer model solutions to predict the most effective
arrangements of turbines. He is likely to look at application of his work to the highly complex Cook
Strait environment.
Brett Grant is responsible for acquiring and analysing ocean surface current data using the Acoustic
Current Doppler Profiler mounted on the hull of the RV Tangaroa. In addition to this he also maintains
the Marine Physics intranet site as well as manipulating other products for the group such as satellite
ocean data.
Mark Hadfield spends much of his time setting up and running marine hydrodynamic models. Mark is
working on smaller-scale models (for Chatham Rise, Pelorus Sound, Golden Bay, and more recently
Cook Strait) where coupling of biology and hydrodynamics is relevant. Mark has also been involved in
several projects where the aim was to synthesise existing data for the New Zealand marine
environment. He has provided data sets for NIWA's marine classification project and has advised
biological oceanographers on site conditions for several experiments. On-going multi-scale models are
being used to look at the Southland Current and its interaction with the on-shelf circulation along the
Otago coastline with an eye to investigating the hydrodynamic impact on larval dispersal in this region.
Tim Haskell of IRL has a long history of working with various NIWA groups on sea-ice mechanics. He
is instrumental in the development and maintenance of polar field camps and sampling techniques in
various locations around McMurdo Sound. The Marine Physics Group at NIWA has been heavily
involved with his K131 Event over the past 5 or so years where we have sampled ice-ocean interaction
in and around the southern McMurdo Sound region.
Sean Kennan brings his tropical physical oceanographic research experience to mid-latitudes. He is
presently analysing satellite data (in particular ocean colour) to help underpin our understanding of
processes in NZ waters in an attempt to link the physical oceanographic conditions to the observed
biological response. His research involves the collection and analysis of ship-based observations, and
then combining them with the satellite output to investigate ecosystem behaviour in oceanic eddies and
fronts.
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Joanne O’Callaghan continued her post-doctoral fellowship over this period by application of
numerical modelling to better understand the small scale processes involved in the generation and
evolution of turbulent plumes in the environment. This work is essential for development of reliable
numerical models for the near shore and estuarine region, where processes and many scales compete to
determine the flow field and its subsequent impact on dispersal (both of biota and sediments).
Stephane Popinet develops numerical (computer approaches) to solving flow fields. He has developed
a package Gerris (gfs.sourceforge.net ), an Open-Source fluid flow solver that can adapt in space and
time to the evolving flow. This is being used for a variety of applications including: ship mechanics,
ocean dynamics (both large and small scale), airflow around buildings, wind turbines etc. Recent work
includes investigation of wind flow over the Wellington region, addition of ocean biological tracers,
and nonlinear shallow water flows for flood inundation and tsunami studies. He maintains strong
links with French researchers.
Graham Rickard continues to be involved in the development of ocean models for climate, process
studies, and ocean-biology interactions, and development of an operational baroclinic ocean model for
NZ. Recent work has focussed on the validation of models of laboratory scale processes (here internal
solitary wave breaking) with an eye to future estuarine and coastal scale modelling incorporating
nonhydrostatic flows. Investigation of global models and how they represent the circulation in the Ross
Sea Sector of the Southern Ocean is also being pursued.
Sarah Searson is a recent arrival to the Marine Physics Group, and has enthusiastically supported the
sea going efforts in the short time she’s been with us. As an example, at the time of writing Sarah is
deploying expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) from a container ship heading for the western
seaboard of the USA as part of on-going international projects monitoring the oceanic environment.
Craig Stevens studies small scale processes with emphasis on “entity-scale” mechanics in boundarylayers. This includes such diverse topics as bio-physical coupling in ocean surface layer mixing, underice boundary-layers, intertidal biomechanics, marine energy and aquaculture. The work has a strong
observational focus but links to modelling and laboratory work feature also. He has been PI or AI on
four Marsden fund projects and is currently leading a FRST-funded tidal energy optimisation project.
He also seeks to promote the underpinning role of marine physics for understanding ocean, climate
and
other
related
processes
both
within
and
external
to
NIWA
(e.g.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ngts/2009/02/19/salty_water).
Craig Stewart has recently taken over role of coordinator of the oceanographic mooring programme ,
involving mooring design for a wide range of field operations. He is also responsible for the Baring
Head Waverider operations. When not in the field, he is involved with collation and analysis of data
from the observational programs.
Philip Sutton is researching the role of the ocean in the climate around New Zealand, in particular
variability in the temperature and inflow of warm, subtropical water. He has studied the East Auckland
Current region for a number of years, but is presently focussed west to address the Tasman Front, West
Auckland Current and Tasman Sea interior. This work is being addressed through research voyages
and the USA (Scripps Institution of Oceanography), Australia (CSIRO), New Zealand (NIWA) Tasman
Box repeat XBT surveys. Philip also provides physical oceanographic expertise to the interdisciplinary
ocean ecosystems programme with a past focus on the Subtropical Front over Chatham Rise but which
is now looking “upstream” to the west coast dynamics. Philip is New Zealand’s representative for
Argo, the global profiling float initiative (http://www.argo.ucsd.edu), and is a member of the Argo
Science team.
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Matt Walkington is NIWA's Oceanic CTD Coordinator. He coordinates and takes the lead role in
aspects of NIWA's research operations that focus directly on high-accuracy conductivity, temperature,
depth (CTD) and allied oceanographic observations, as obtained with NIWA's Seabird 911plus CTDs
(www.seabird.com) and associated instrumentation. He has strong links with the SeaBird organisation
(the prime CTD instrument developer and de facto setter of oceanographic standards) and visited them
most recently in May 2006. A continuing research interest is the development of a regional oceanic
climatology (OCAANZ).
Mike Williams’ research is split between the McMurdo Sound region of Antarctica and the New
Zealand subantarctic. In McMurdo Sound he is currently working with colleagues from IRL, the
University of Otago, and Victoria University of Wellington on the circulation and ice-water interaction
in McMurdo Sound including during the winter 2009. In the subantarctic he is analysing data from two
recent cruises to measure the transport and variability in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current as it
crosses the Macquarie Ridge, joint work with CSIRO and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems
Cooperative Research Centre.
Sebastien Delaux is doing a PhD on the stickiness of seaweed eggs, and their ability (or otherwise) to
find safe haven in the coastal turbulent waters. The work uses laboratory experiments to mimic the insitu stirring, as well as novel extensions to a fluid dynamic code (Gerris) in order to follow individual
eggs as they migrate through the water.
Natalie Robinson is continuing her PhD studies into sea ice-ocean interactions near an Antarctic Ice
Shelf. Her project focusses on processes that span the spatial scale from fine-scale vertical mixing to
region-wide geostrophic flows. Analysis of new data will be complemented by 1-dimensional
modelling of the turbulent boundary layer. She is supervised by Ross Vennell and Pat Langhorne
(University of Otago) and Mike Williams (NIWA).
Paul Young is working on his MSc at Otago under the supervision of Pat Langhorne and Vernon Squire
(Otago) and Craig Stevens (NIWA Marine Physics). He is developing ideas on how multiple waveenergy devices can be tethered together to enhance power output and simplify mooring infrastructure.
MIDDLE DEPTH FISHERIES AND ACOUSTICS GROUP
Staff in this combined group are involved in a wide range of research projects across NIWA, with the
focus primarily on research relevant to the stock assessment of middle depth species (hoki, hake, ling,
southern blue whiting, toothfish, gemfish, and warehou), and the development and implementation of
acoustic and camera technology to estimate abundance of orange roughy, hoki, southern blue whiting,
oreos, oysters, scampi, and other species. Projects involve assessing stock abundance using acoustic,
trawl survey, and camera techniques, analysing commercial catch and effort data, and researching fish
biology. There is an increasing emphasis on broader ecological and environmental aspects of the fish
and their fisheries.
A major initiative for this group in 2007/08 was its involvement in the planning and implementation of
a major fisheries project for the Oman government. This work involved a series of five 6-week fisheries
resource surveys in Oman waters from August 2007 to September 2008. The final report describing this
work was presented to the Oman Ministry of Fisheries Wealth in February 2009.
Rosie Hurst is the Science Leader for Middle Depth Fisheries and Acoustics. Rosie stepped down from
her role as Regional Manager for the Wellington campus during 2008 to refocus her attentions on
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science. Rosie has a breadth of experience in a range of middle depth fisheries and leads the strategic
development and research planning for the group. She has particular interests in the impact of climate
on fisheries and trawl survey methodology. In 2008, Rosie started a research programme using cameras
to study trawl gear performance and fish behaviour.
Richard O’Driscoll is the group manager. He was again involved in a wide range of programmes using
acoustics and trawling to estimate fish abundance in 2008. The highlight was his participation in the
CAML-IPY voyage to the Ross Sea in Feb-Mar 2008, where he led the objective to study mesopelagic
fish. Richard also led an acoustic survey of hoki in Cook Strait and trawl surveys of hoki and other
middle depth species in the Sub-Antarctic and on the Chatham Rise. He has continued to work
collaboratively with the fishing industry to analyse collect acoustic data from commercial vessels, and
was co-author of a report on this subject prepared by the International Council for the Exploration of
the Sea (ICES). Richard is the convenor of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine
Living Resources (CCAMLR) subgroup on acoustic survey and analysis methods and a member of the
ICES Fisheries Acoustics, Science, and Technology Working Group.
Aden Abdi left NIWA in December 2008 to move with his family to Australia, after 3 years as a
member of our electronics technical group. Aden’s major role was in the maintenance of NIWA’s
acoustics, camera, MOCNESS, and wetlab data capture systems, and he participated in research
voyages in Oman and New Zealand in 2008. He was a valuable team member who will be missed.
Neil Bagley was the project leader for the Oman project and participated in three of the five surveys in
Oman, leading two of these. Although the Oman project took up the majority of his time in 2008, Neil
continued to lead the Sub-Antarctic trawl survey project and was again responsible for preparing skate
tagging kits for vessels fishing in the Ross Sea toothfish fishery. Neil also coordinates NIWA’s trawl
gear requirements.
Sira Ballara has carried out a range of analyses associated with stock assessment. This work includes
description and analysis of catch effort and biological data for the hoki fishery, and analysing bycatch
and discards in squid and scampi fisheries. Sira wrote some of the R code to carry out the analysis of
data from Oman.
Peter de Joux joined joined the group in November 2008 as an electronics technician, replacing Wilbert
Knol who left in January. Peter is a native Wellingtonian who started his working life as a telephone
technician with the New Zealand Post Office. He was then employed in a variety of electronics roles,
including 10 years working with gaming machines for IGT New Zealand Ltd, where he rose to the
position of Training and Technical Services Manager. More recently, Peter completed two complete
seasons in Antarctica as the technician at Scott Base. He came back from the ice in October 2008 and we
look forward to putting his skills and experience to good use supporting NIWA’s fisheries electronic
and acoustic systems.
Jennifer Devine led the analysis of mesopelagic data from Oman and participated in the first Oman
survey. She was also involved in a survey of mesopelagic resources on the Chatham Rise in May-June,
where she successfully collected data on acoustic target strength of live myctophids in a tank onboard
Tangaroa. Jennifer was the project leader for the gemfish assessment, and has continued to develop her
skills in R and acoustics.
Adam Dunford has taken on the role of Assistant Group Manager and is responsible for the electronics
technical team. Adam provides support for users of NIWA’s acoustic systems and was involved in the
mobilisation/demobilisation and data management for a number of surveys in 2008. He is also leading
NIWA’s developing acoustic research programme for freshwater fish in lakes, including smelt in Lake
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Rotoiti (Rotorua), and perch in the Karori Reservoir (Wellington). In December 2007, Adam obtained
the first ever acoustic measurements from live tethered hoki during an experiment in Cook Strait.
Stéphane Gauthier was another Oman stalwart, leading the objective to assess pelagic fish resources,
and running training workshops for Omani staff. He participated in three surveys in Oman, as well as
in an acoustic survey of hoki in Cook Strait. Stéphane leads an innovative project with Fish and Game
New Zealand to assess salmonids in South Island lakes and he also led the work on perch in the Karori
Reservoir.
Peter Horn carries out the stock assessments for ling and hake, and leads the projects involved with
commercial catch sampling and age estimation from hoki, hake, and ling fisheries. He continues to be
heavily involved in fish ageing, reading gemfish, toothfish, hoki, ling, lookdown dory and sea perch
otoliths, and publishing a paper on sea perch ageing in 2008. Peter participated in one of the Oman
surveys and has recently become involved in analysing data from a recently completed study on
feeding relationships on the Chatham Rise.
Gavin Macaulay works on a range of projects associated with fisheries acoustics. He was responsible
for the installation of a new suite of multifrequency echosounders on Tangaroa in May 2008, with the
system used successfully on the subsequent mesopelagic survey on the Chatham Rise. Gavin also
supervised the planning, installation, and implementation of acoustic equipment for major surveys in
Oman and the Ross Sea and participated in these voyages. Gavin’s is a recognised international expert
in acoustic target strength (TS) research, continuing collaborative work with Australian colleagues on
orange roughy, and also modelling TS of Antarctic and mesopelagic species.
Ben Lennard joined the group in April 2007 and has established himself as a competent member of the
acoustics technical team. Ben has worked on a number of projects associated with wetlab, camera, and
acoustic systems in 2008 and completed his first sea trips, for hoki on the Chatham Rise and in Cook
Strait, and scampi in the Auckland Islands. Ben also designed and built a system to synchronise all
acoustic equipment on Tangaroa.
Warrick Lyon joined the group in November 2008, having transferred from the Inshore Fisheries
Group. Warrick has quickly developed expertise in trawl survey methodology, participating in surveys
for inshore and middle depth species in New Zealand and in Oman. Warrick has taken on
responsibility of coordinating and maintaining trawl gear for inshore surveys, and is working with
Rosie Hurst using cameras to study trawl gear performance and fish behaviour.
Dan MacGibbon is also new to the group, having started as a Fisheries Technician in December 2007
following completion of his MSc at Victoria University. Dan has a wide background in biology and
statistics, including previous experience as a commercial fisherman. These skills have already been put
to good use with participation in trawl surveys on the Chatham Rise, east coast South Island, and in
Oman. Dan also contributed to the analysis of trawl data from Oman, and has assisted with a range of
other biological projects.
Richard Nelson is the principal electronic technician in the group. He has a leadership role in the
acoustic workshop, and is responsible for the development of acoustic, camera, and wet-lab equipment.
In 2007/08, he helped with the installation of the new echosounder system on Tangaroa, built and tested
a new oyster/inshore camera system, and provided mobile wetlab systems for use on the chartered
vessel in Oman. He participated in one of the Oman surveys, the acoustic surveys for hoki in Cook
Strait and on a seabed mapping voyage.
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Darren Stevens participated in three Oman surveys, leading one of these. He spent considerable time
developing identification guides for Oman fish species which provided an essential wetlab reference.
Darren also participated in the CAML-IPY voyage to the Ross Sea, where he was responsible for
cephalopod identification and preservation. A highlight was the capture of juvenile colossal squid. He
continues to lead the important Chatham Rise middle depth trawl survey, and has role in a multi-year
feeding study to examine trophic interactions on the Chatham Rise.
OCEAN-ATMOSPHERE GROUP
Evelyn Armstrong studies phytoplankton from waters east of New Zealand. Some species have been
isolated and cultured in the laboratory so that nutrient and photophysiological experiments can be
performed.
Kim Currie is interested in the air-sea exchange of carbon dioxide, and marine carbonate chemistry.
She is particularly interested in the spatial and temporal variation of oceanic CO2 uptake in the SW
Pacific. A time series transect has been established into subantarctic waters east of New Zealand to
study temporal changes of CO2 uptake, spatial variation is also investigated. Kim collaborates with
biologists, physicists and modellers in determining the factors affecting the marine carbon cycle.
Mike Harvey co-ordinates the FRST funded programme of research “Drivers and Mitigation of Global
Change” at NIWA, which investigates anthropogenic and natural processes governing the CO2 and
trace gas composition of atmosphere. In addition, Mike currently serves on the Royal Society of New
Zealand
International
Geosphere-Biosphere
Programme
(Global
Change)
committee
www.rsnz.org/advisory/igbp and is a member of the New Zealand National SOLAS (Surface Ocean
Lower Atmosphere Study) committee. He has interests in factors regulating the emission of climate
relevant biogenic gases including dimethylsulfide in the south-west Pacific and Southern Ocean. Two
major lines of investigation are
• quantifying the source of sulphur to the atmosphere through the gas exchange across the sea-air
interface and
• investigating the atmospheric fate of DMS to determine potential climatic impact. This work is a
part of the regional “Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Studies” (SOLAS) plan.
As part of an international collaborative effort, Mike led the “SOLAS Air-Sea Gas Experiment” (SAGE)
from RV Tangaroa in Mar/Apr 2004. In this experiment, the physical processes governing gas exchange
and the effects of iron fertilisation were studied in a windy Southern Ocean environment with a focus
on the exchange of CO2, DMS and other gases at a number of measurement scales. On the atmospheric
side, the fate of DMS in the atmosphere has being investigated through a number of field studies, most
recently the Precursors to Particles (P2P) 2006 campaign www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EN07041.htm
seeking to understand biogenic sources of aerosol in the coastal marine environment (led by Jill Cainey,
Bureau of Meteorology, Australia). This year, Mike contributed to a “research front” reviewing current
understanding of sulphur cycle feedbacks on climate www.publish.csiro.au/nid/190/issue/3787.htm.
Peter Hill is an electronics and software engineer working on oceanographic and atmospheric
instrumentation. His projects have included instruments and systems for gas analysis, ocean
microstructure probes and vehicles, underwater optical measurements and deep sea imaging. Last year
he developed DTIS, the Deep Towed Imaging System, a towed vehicle with video and still cameras for
use down to 6000 meters depth.
Cliff Law is leader of the NIWA Ocean-Atmosphere group, with research interests in the role of
nutrients in determining ocean productivity and the production and cycling of trace gases in the
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surface ocean. He has recently led research voyages examining nitrogen supply and productivity in the
oligotrophic Tasman Sea, and marine methane sources that have focussed on methane seeps on the
New Zealand shelf and the surface ocean “methane paradox”. Recent fieldwork determining coastal
trace gas emissions have been carried out in Pelorus Sound and the Firth of Thames. In terms of
instrumentation he has recently acquired a Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer (MIMS), for dissolved
gas and denitrification rate measurement. In addition to several gas chromatograph systems he also
oversees a tracer facility that uses sulphur hexafluoride to label and track water bodies for the study of
atmosphere-ocean exchange, vertical mixing, and dispersal, and which enables mesoscale ocean
manipulation experiments. Cliff is a member of the NZ National SOLAS (Surface Ocean Lower
Atmosphere Study) Committee and International SOLAS Steering Committee, has ongoing research
collaborations with SOLAS scientists in the US, Australia, Canada and UK, and has recently been
involved in development of an Assessment Framework for Ocean Fertilisation under the auspices of
the London Convention.
Andrew Marriner is a research technician in the Ocean Atmosphere group. He works on measuring
trace gases by gas chromatography and sulphur aerosols by ion chromatography, and oversees the new
Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer (MIMS) facility for denitrification rates and dissolved gas
measurement.
Murray J Smith studies the physical processes that govern the exchange of momentum, heat and gases
between the ocean and atmosphere. A particular emphasis is on the turbulence generated by waves and
wave breaking. The modulation of fluxes of climatically important gases over the ocean is being
measured as part of the SOLAS program. His recent work has included leading a pilot study of trace
gas exchange in coastal waters in Pelorus Sound, in which he characterised the physical driving
processes and made direct measurements of air-water exchange of CO2. This work combines
micrometeorological techniques with subsurface dynamics (turbulence and currents). He is also
working on the use of marine energy, both wave and tidal, for the generation of electricity. Wave
studies have also involved the evaluation of ship wake waves in environmentally sensitive areas.
David Weller has acquired a range of skills and knowledge in the last 10 years across a wide spectrum
of disciplines (marine biology, fisheries, ecology, physiology, biomedical science, microbiology and
molecular biology). He is researching the ecological interactions between marine phytoplankton and
microbes, and whether this interaction produces the excess methane found in the surface ocean. It is
envisaged that his work will include isolation and culture of a range of phytoplankton species, GC
measurements of CH4, bacterial cultures and detection of methanogens by PCR and chemical isotopic
work. He is working with Cliff Law and Els Maas at NIWA and Russell Frew at the Department of
Chemistry, University of Otago where he's registered for a Ph.D.
OCEAN GEOLOGY GROUP
In 2008, the Ocean Geology comprised 17 permanent technicians and scientists who undertake both
science research for the "Public Good" of New Zealand, and commercial consultancy. A 2 year NIWA
post-doctorate fellow in seismic hazards, a PhD student from University of Canterbury and a multibeam back-scatter technician, funded via Capability Funds, were also members of the team for most of
2008. Andrew Goh and Miles Dunkin from the GIS group left NIWA in 2007, replaced by Micah
Kemp and Simon Bardsley, respectively. Micah also left and was replaced by Anne-Laure Verdier.
Before and while Claire Castellazzi was on maternity leave at the end of 2008, Susi Woelz was
employed as our geophysics processing technician. In July 2008, Ian Wright also left NIWA to take up a
professorship and joint Geology/Geophysics chair position at the National Oceanographic Centre in
225
Southampton, UK, after over 20 years working at NIWA and predecessor institutions. He was replaced
by Richard Wysoczanski in January 2009.
Current research science projects continue to focus on the style and spatial distribution of active
submarine faults, and fault development within the wider Pacific-Australia Plate boundary
deformation zone; late Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations; back-arc rifting and rift magmatism; high
resolution stratigraphic analysis of sediment dispersal along the continental shelf and margin and
down deep-sea channel systems; catastrophic failure and collapse of the continental margin;
characterising near-field earthquake and tsunami sources; and submarine volcanism. The group also
works on modern and recently past oceanographic systems, with the aim of quantifying the rates and
processes of carbon productivity and sequestration in the Southern Ocean, over seasonal to millennial
timescales.
The group remains at the forefront of acquiring modern digital and geological data to characterise
seafloor morphology, composition and history, and hence endeavour to better understand the
interactive geological, biological, climatic and oceanographic processes that affect the New Zealand
surrounding seafloor. More recently, we have integrated mapping studies with benthic biological
research to undertake habitat mapping projects at a variety of scales and resolutions, and have played
active roles in recent Ocean Survey 20/20 projects, funded by LINZ, MFish, DoC and NIWA. Marine
geologists at NIWA run collaborative projects with other CRI's, most New Zealand Universities, and
earth science research groups from the USA, UK and several European countries.
We also undertake a significant range of commercial consultancy projects including New Zealand
continental shelf delimitation (UNCLOS), hydrographic surveys within New Zealand and Ross Sea
(Antarctica) waters, submarine cable route investigations, offshore resource evaluations (including
precious hydrothermal minerals, iron-sands and phosphorites), offshore pipeline investigations, and
habitat mapping for environmental management and impact assessments as well as site surveys for
petroleum and offshore minerals exploration industries.
Dylan Amyes joined the Ocean Geology group as an Electronics technician in October 2007 after an 11
year stint in the NZ Army where he was a Sergeant, working as an electronics instructor and workshop
supervisor. His main roles in NIWA are to facilitate and maintain electronics support for NIWA’s
research vessels (RV Tangaroa and Kaharoa), including scientific navigation, geophysical systems and
multi-beam echosounders. One of his main roles in 2008 was the commissioning and installation of the
new EM300 mulit-beam echo-sounder and hull-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler for
Tangaroa.
Simon Bardsley joined the Ocean Geology group as an Ocean GIS technicianin in November 2007. He
has completed degrees in Geography and Geology (BSc in 2001 and MSc in 2004) at the University of
Canterbury, specialising in GIS-spatial analysis and remote sensing, followed by 3 years working for
Environment Canterbury as a GIS Analyst. He is undertaking GIS work for a range of commercial and
research applications, including digitising the sediment distributions around New Zealand from
NIWA’s Coastal and Oceanic chart series and producing provisional digitised bathymetric charts from
NIWA’s Lake Series. Other projects include reviewing approaches available for the use of NIWA
multibeam swath data in the generation of habitat classification maps as part of an MFish project to
assess the effects of fishing on soft sediment habitats and fauna, and satellite imagery
interpretation/classification and feature extraction as part of the FRST-funded RiskScape project. Simon
replaced Miles Dunkin, who left NIWA in July 2007.
Philip Barnes undertakes research on stratigraphy, fault structure, rates of active tectonics, and
earthquake potential in many areas of coastal New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty, eastern North
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Island, Eastern Marlborough, Cook Strait, north Canterbury, and Fiordland regions. The research
involves the acquisition and interpretation of seismic reflection profiles, multibeam bathymetric data,
and seafloor samples, in order to understand the sedimentary responses to major changes in sea level
and climate, as well as earth deformation processes in the Pacific-Australia plate boundary forearc,
backarc, and strike-slip tectonic zones. Sedimentary sequences are studied in detail to provide the
temporal framework for determination of tectonic deformation rates and processes. Recent initiatives
have included work with German and NZ colleagues on the tectonic controls on gas hydrate locations
along the east coast North Island, new interpretations of fault structure and seismic hazard in Cook
Strait, and slip rates and structure of the southern Alpine Fault off the Fiordland coast. Phil’s research
involves national and international collaboration, has linkages with other NIWA, GNS, and New
Zealand university programmes, and contributes to better understanding of global processes and
regional coastal hazards. Phil is a Principal Scientist at NIWA.
Helen Bostock is a paleoceanographer and sedimentologist who arrived from Canberra where she was
working on coastal sedimentary systems at Geoscience Australia in 2007. Her main research interests
are in ocean circulation changes and the sedimentary response to sea level fluctuations and climate
change. Helen’s research involves stable isotope analyses on foraminifera from marine cores, grain-size
and mineralogy of sediments in cores and surface samples, combined with multibeam bathymetric data
and seismic profiles. She was involved in the acquisition of new cores from Macquarie Ridge in April
2008 to understand changes in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Helen is also helping develop
research in NIWA on the potential effects of ocean acidification in the NZ region.
Claire Castellazzi is in charge of NIWA’s marine geophysical data, processing and archiving facility.
She has skills in seismic reflection data acquisition and processing, and has implemented SeisVision
software for presenting geophysical data.
Peter Gerring specialises in habitat mapping utilising sidescan sonar acquisition and processing, video
and still camera, and various types of sampling. He participates in numerous surveys both in coastal
waters and offshore on R/V Tangaroa, involving operating a wide variety of instruments including
multibeam sonar data collection and processing. Pete also assists in GIS projects and has upgraded his
skills in seismic reflection acquisition and specialises in the maintenance of the seismic air guns.
Geoffroy Lamarche is focussing his research work on the active geological deformation that affects the
continental shelf and margin around New Zealand, and in particular in the Bay of Plenty, the East Cape
Region, the Wanganui Basin and Cook Strait. The research endeavours to better understand the
mechanisms of faulting, including fault interactions and fault growth and to identify earthquake
sources and hazard in a variety of tectonic environments, whether extensional, transtensional or
contractional. Another aspect of his research is the study of submarine slope instabilities on a variety of
scales, including that of gigantic submarine avalanches that affect the East Cape region. The aims are to
constrain the timing of the slope failures, quantify the geometrical (volumes, areas) and rheological
properties of the remobilised masses, and evaluate the many factors (rheology, geometry, sea-level
fluctuation, presence of gas, etc) that facilitate mass movements in the submarine environment. The
research involves the acquisition and interpretation of seismic reflection profiles, multibeam
bathymetric images, and seafloor samples. Geoffroy leads the marine seismic processing facilities,
which has developed methods for processing sequences that optimise resolution reflectors within the
first 2 km beneath the seafloor. Geoffroy also has a keen interest in the processing of back-scatter data
from multi-beam surveys for habitat mapping. Geoffroy Lamarche leads international collaborative
research projects with the research groups of Géosciences Azur (Nice), Géosciences Rennes (Rennes),
and IFREMER (Brest), all in France, and with the UK National Oceanic Centre, Southampton. In 2007,
he took on the roles of Science Leader and Principal Scientist, leading the FRST-funded Consequences of
Earth-Ocean Change programme.
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Kevin Mackay is the Marine Data Manager, responsible for managing digital bathymetric and station
data using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Relational DataBase Management Systems
(RDBMS). Current projects include: the development of systems and processes for the processing,
analysis and storing of all data collected during Ocean Survey 20/20; and the integration of geological,
biological and physical marine data into a single frame-work named MINZ (Marine Information New
Zealand). He continues to provide support to marine geology and geophysics research, and commercial
projects by undertaking GIS analysis and computer processing of swath multi-beam bathymetry and
backscatter strength data, with emphasis on seafloor mapping, terrain modelling and imagery sensing.
He also leads and/or participates in swath multi-beam and geological data acquisition for research
(FRST) and commercial projects. Kevin has been actively involved in New Zealand’s United Nations
Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) project, including the final submission in New York in 2008
and work with GNS Science helping the Philippines Government with their submission.
John Mitchell is project leader for the seabed resources and charting objective. He leads and
participates in research and commercial voyages, concentrating on multibeam data collection and
processing, hydrographic surveys and United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
surveys. He was Voyage and Project Leader for the Western Ross Sea hydrographic voyages during
2001, 2004, 2006 and 2008 and continues to lead large, multi-disciplinary consultancy projects for
government agencies and external commercial clients, including Ocean Survey 20/20 Bay of Islands
Phase 1 multi-beam surveying and desk-top reporting.
Joshu Mountjoy is a PhD candidate from the University of Canterbury, based at NIWA. He is working
on understanding the dynamics of submarine landsliding in the Cook Strait region using a variety of
geophysical and geological data-sets. Supervision for Joshu’s PhD is provided by Phil Barnes (NIWA)
and Jarg Pettinga (Canterbury). In 2007 and 2008, Joshu received the NZ Geophysics Society prize for
the best oral presenatations by a student at consecutive national geosciences conferences.
Helen Neil is currently investigating seasonal to millennial changes in oceanographic conditions and
production. The nature and timing of abrupt climate change at mid-high southern latitudes is poorly
understood. A regional focus on the southern and western water masses of New Zealand aims to
elucidate the transmission of climate signals at high latitudes. Modern oceanographic records are
compared to analogues of environmental change derived from long-lived macro-fauna, bottom
sediment characteristics, and assemblages in surface net tows, sediment traps and sediment cores
records. Other research interests are derivation of climate millennial records from speleothems (with
Paul Williams, University of Auckland and Jonathon Nott, James Cook University) and deep-dwelling
bamboo corals, including coral ageing for use assessments of seamount ecology (with Di Tracey,
NIWA, Juan Sanchez, Universidad de los Andes, Ron Thresher CSIRO and Allen Andrews, MSML).
Work on the use of bomb radiocarbon to validate otolith ages and stable isotopes to investigate life
histories of New Zealand’s deep-dwelling fisheries is continuing in conjunction with Di Tracey, Peter
Marriott, Peter Horn, Peter McMillan, Alan Hart (NIWA) and Rodger Sparks (GNS Science). This
combination of modern and past records will facilitate future prediction of global processes and change
in the New Zealand region. Recent research focus has been on the sedimentary, oceanographic and
climatic systems of the west coast South Island, and in 2005, she co-led with Dr Geoffroy Lamarche the
consortium of New Zealand scientists that funded a French-New Zealand research program on tectonic
and climatic controls on sediment budgets, which culminated with the visit of R/V Marion Dufresne to
NZ waters. Helen runs and manages the Micromill (for small volume sample collection) and the Kiel
(small-volume) carbonate system for derivation of stable (O and C) isotopes central to
paleoceanographic and fisheries-related research work within NIWA. Over the last couple of years,
Helen has developed new research on the west coast South Island, collecting cores with the R/V Marion
du Fresne and Tangaroa and mapping the deep-sea canyons off this coast. She was also the co-convenor
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of the highly successful 4th International Deep-sea Corals Symposium held in Wellington in December
2008.
Scott Nodder is involved in research investigating oceanic sediment and elemental (C, N, P, Si) fluxes
using floating and moored sediment traps. This work is in conjunction with benthic biological and
sedimentological studies that are designed to understand the relationships between benthic and pelagic
processes and the impact of such processes on the cycling of carbon in the oceans around New Zealand.
Study areas include the Southern Ocean, west coast South Island, Subtropical Front (Chatham Rise),
Hauraki Gulf, Firth of Thames and northeast coast of New Zealand. Strong and ongoing research links
have been established with other NIWA oceanographic scientists, GNS Science (Chris Hollis, Mark
Stirling), NZ universities (in particular with Conrad Pilditch, Waikato, and Keith Probert, Otago), and
with overseas researchers (e.g., Gerard Duineveld, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Jean-Noel
Proust, CNRS-Géoscience-Rennes, and Liz Sikes, Rutgers University, USA). Other research interests are
Ocean Survey 20/20 benthic biodiversity and habitat mapping, Cook Strait cold seeps and methane
(with Cliff Law and Els Maas, NIWA), Taranaki-Wanganui shelf sedimentology, fault structure and
neotectonics, marine particulate matter and remineralisation processes, nutrient fluxes, continental
shelf sediment transport, and the oceanic carbon cycle.
Lisa Northcote provides technical support for scientists such as Helen Neil, Scott Nodder and Alan
Orpin as well as field support for scientists in other groups. She has adopted a leading role within the
NIWA marine geology laboratory undertaking standard grain-size and chemical analyses as well as
stable isotope sample preparation, and sediment trap and macrofaunal analysis. Lisa has built up a
significant knowledge of modern foraminiferal taxonomy and assemblage characterisation and is
currently analysing fauna from South Island West Coast, Hawke Bay, Chatham Rise, and Campbell
Plateau. The establishment of seasonal to interannual variability in ocean temperatures and
productivity from living foraminiferal assemblages will allow the derivation of modern analogues for
past environmental changes in subtropical and subantarctic waters.
Alan Orpin is a marine geologist working on the marine component of the transfer of sediment from
mountains to the deep sea as a part of the international MARGINS programme [margin sedimentary
processes]. Primarily he is investigating the accumulation of post-glacial terrigenous sediment on the
East Coast margin (in collaboration with other NZ researchers, Skidaway Institute of Marine Science,
East Carolina University and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, USA). The group is also trying to
establish links between the late Holocene terrestrial record of climate and landscape change with
offshore sediment dispersal using sediment core proxies from the marine and lacustrine environments.
Other high-sediment yield regions of the NZ margin of interest include the Westland margin, where
initial fieldwork has been undertaken with Helen Neil and Scott Nodder (NIWA). He is also involved
in the development of mapping tools for benthic habitats with workers from the Geological Survey of
Canada (Atlantic) and sedimentation patterns in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia with collaborators
from James Cook University, Australia. Alan has also been involved in projects to identify cold seeps
sites from marine geophysics and geological information collected from marine geophysical and
geological surveys.
Arne Pallentin is the main GIS technician for the New Zealand United Nations Convention on Law of
the Sea (UNCLOS) project, working in cooperation with MFAT, LINZ and GNS Science. He is
responsible for the analysis of bathymetric data, geodetic calculations and charting. He also provides
support for research in the Ocean Geology and other groups, as well as commercial consultancy
projects, facilitating GIS analysis for a wide range of applications ranging from biodiversity to tsunami
research.
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Nicholas Pondard completed his NIWA post-doctorate in 2008, working on a 2-year project,
investigating and quantifying the potential seismic hazard presented by newly identified active faults
in Cook Strait. This work feeds in directly to the “Its Our Fault” project, funded by EQC, with scientists
from NIWA and GNS Science. Nicholas has returned to France to look for other work in research
and/or industry.
Anne-Laure Verdier provides support to marine geology, hydrographic and benthic habitat research
and consultancy projects by undertaking GIS analyses, with emphasis on seafloor mapping, terrain
modelling and imagery sensing. She joined NIWA in early 2008, replacing Micah Kemp, after a
previous 2 years where Anne-Laure worked at developing our capabilities in multi-beam back-scatter
data processing, via NIWA’s Capability Fund. She has a hydrographic surveying background and has
participated in swath multibeam and geological data acquisition surveys for publicly funded research
and commercial projects, including the Wellington Harbour and Ocean Survey Bay of Islands mapping
projects in 2008.
Steve Wilcox is an electronics engineer responsible for the commissioning, installation and
maintenance of NIWA’s marine geotechnical systems, in particular the Simrad EM300 and EM3000
swath mapping systems; CMAX and Coda sidescan systems; and NIWA's high-resolution seismic
reflection systems (boomer and multi-channel airgun sources). Steve is in charge of commissioning and
maintaining our new seismic reflection digital streamer and data acquisition systems.
Richard Wysoczanski joined NIWA in January 2009, replacing Ian Wright, and continues NIWA’s
research work on submarine volcanism to the north of New Zealand, including working on NIWA’s
recently successful Deep-Sea Mining FRST-programme (focussing on the Kermadec arc). Collaboration
will continue to be an important component of the research including work with GNS Science, Victoria
University and University of Auckland, and scientists from UK and Japan. Richard comes to NIWA
after extensive experiences completing his PhD in 1994 at Victoria University of Wellington, fulfilling
post-doctoral and full-time positions at the Australian National Institution, Smithsonian Institute and
JAMSTEC (Japan), as a visiting scientist at Carnegie Institute of Washington, as Chief Scientist on a
Japanese submersible voyage to the Havre Trough and most recently as Laboratory Manager at the
state-of-the-art geochemistry lab at Victoria University. Richard was the convenor of the local
organising committee for the highly successful Geosciences ’08 Conference held in Wellington.
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National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Hamilton
MARINE BENTHIC ECOLOGY
Dr. Simon Thrush: soft sediment community ecology with interest in spatial and temporal variability.
Simon is working in Italy this year having gained European funding for a project on connectivity in
rock reef systems
Dr. Judi Hewitt: soft sediment biodiversity with interest in habitat-species interactions. Judi is working
on regional and local controls of biodiversity and effects on ecosystem functionality
Dr. Drew Lohrer: functioning of soft-sediment habitats (macrofauna-microphyte-nutrient flux
relationships); impacts of urban storm water contaminants on estuarine sandflats; ecology of coastal
Ross Sea ecosystems; mechanisms and consequences of non-indigenous species invasions.
Dr. Carolyn Lundquist: research focuses primarily on ecological connectivity, with projects ranging
from modelling and field studies of larval and post-settlement dispersal in estuaries and coasts; to the
influence of connectivity in marine protected area design; to modelling the influence of connectivity on
disturbance/recovery processes; to trophic models to examine connectivity between hard and soft
sediment communities, and between Ross Sea ice macrofauna, pelagic fauna, and benthic fauna. She is
on the Board of Directors of the Australasian section of the Society for Conservation Biology, and is on
the conference committee for the upcoming (May 2009) International Marine Conservation Congress in
Washington, DC.
Dr. Michael Townsend: research interests include the impacts of benthic biodiversity on ecosystem
functioning (nutrient cycling and energy flow in benthic ecosystems); the impacts of contamination
(metal) stressors on benthic organism health, movement and function; multiple stressors and time-lapse
imagery and the impacts of invasive species on behaviour and functioning of natives.
Luca Chiaroni: is a marine ecology technician. His interests include subtidal soft sediment ecology;
bioturbation; ecosystem function and habitat mapping. In 2008 he has been involved in some
collaborative work on bioturbation and ecosystem function with Oceanlab-University of Aberdeen and
he is also a scientific diver and provides technical support for our Antarctic teams.
Sarah Hailes: is a technician in the benthic ecology group. Her interests include soft sediment
community ecology and functioning, impacts of anthropogenic processes, stable isotopes, bivalve postsettlement dispersal and taxonomy.
Scott Edhouse: is a marine ecology technician. His roles include being a dive leader and instructor and
a boat skipper. Scott is interested in sub-tidal benthic ecology.
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VISITORS
Akio Tamaki (Nagasaki University, Japan): Effects of terrigenous sedimentation on sandflat bivalve
populations. Comparative and complementary approaches to soft-sediment benthic community
dynamics in marine embayments and shallow waters.
Heather Hunt (University of New Brunswick, St John): Heather is on sabbatical from January to April
2009. She is collaborated on a study of post-settlement dispersal of juvenile bivalves in Whangarei
Harbour.
Nova Mieszkowska (MBA, Plymouth, UK): visited NIWA on a British Council funded project
examining the influence of climate change on species distribution and potential range shifts of rocky
intertidal flora and fauna.
PhD
Hazel Needham
Hazel is supervised by Conrad Pilditch (UoW), Drew Lohrer and Simon Thrush and is investigating the
impact of the mud crab Helice crassa on benthic environments for her PhD thesis.
Phillip Ross: Phil is supervised by Conrad Pilditch (UoW), Ian Hogg (UoW) and Carolyn Lundquist
(NIWA). His PhD project is: Connectivity amongst New Zealand estuaries: Using the common cockle
(Austrovenus stutchburyi) as a model to examine inter-estuary dispersal and predict larval transport, and
he is projected to finish in early 2010.
MSc
Julia Simpson: Julia is an Msc student at the UoW and is supervised by Dr. Conrad Pilditch (UoW) and
Dr. Drew Lohrer (NIWA). Her thesis is on the effects of heavy metal contamination on bivalve
bioturbation: Implications for sediment transport. She will submit in March 2009.
Clarisse Niemand: Clarisse is co-supervised by Conrad Pilditch and Carolyn Lundquist for her MSc at
UoW on: The application of elemental fingerprinting techniques to identify the origin and transport
history of estuarine bivalve recruits.). She will submit in March 2009.
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National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Mahanga Bay
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH FACILITY, MAHANGA BAY
The NIWA facility at Mahanga Bay focuses on cooler water aquaculture (complementing NIWA’s
warm water facility at Bream Bay) across the whole spectrum of potential cultured species from microand macro-algae, through bivalve and crustacean shellfish and echinoderms to finfish. Research
encompasses basic studies of new species, development of farming techniques, development of water
treatment technologies and investigation of ways to improve the efficiency of established commercial
aquaculture systems.
Philip Heath, as the Group Manager at Mahanga Bay, maintains an advisory role in most of the
projects at the aquaculture facility. His personal research focus remained on the development of
recirculation technology, particularly for paua aquaculture. Phil’s expertise in this technology has
involved him in work with two NZ paua farms using recirculation, and with similar developments
overseas. Phil’s research has focussed on developing the technology for polyculture systems to optimise
the use of water for both onshore and offshore marine farms, with particular emphasis on integrating
co-culture of seaweed culture into mainstream on-shore and marine aquaculture. Over the last 2 years
Phil has also led a small research project to test the potential for butterfish aquaculture. Phil has also
been involved in projects producing aquaculture development strategies in New Zealand and overseas.
Bob Hickman: On 30th January 2009 Bob Hickman retired from NIWA after 39 years, 8 months and 9
days of aquaculture research with FRD, MAF and NIWA. Bob cam to New Zealand from the UK,
having completed his degree at Bangor University in North Wales, started his career in New Zealand in
1969 as an FRD scientist on a salary of $2084 per year! Bob’s research interests always focused on
shellfish. His main passion being native or bluff oysters, but it was his discovery of mussel spat
attached to seaweed on 90 mile beach that has probably had the greatest impact on the New Zealand
Aquaculture Industry, which now relies on the annual harvest of this resource for much of its
production. Bob also ran the commercial Paua seed production system at Mahanga Bay and was
instrumental in projects to rear turbot and butterfish along. Bob has been highly active in New Zealand
science community and has been secretary and president of the New Zealand marine Sciences society.
Bob’s exceptional writing and editorial ability has enlivened many reports and popular articles and
these skills will be particularly missed. We wish Bob all the best for his retirement and thank him for
his many years of hard work for NIWA.
Graeme Moss has been involved in the selective breeding programme, aiming to improve paua
broodstock for the aquaculture industry. He has been involved in the production of over 50 paua
family lines which are being ongrown at two sites and growth rates monitored. He is also working on
improving paua husbandry techniques, investigating the effects of temperature, flow rates and water
movement on juveniles, with some help from German students Bruno Schumi and Martina
Beisswenger. Graeme is continuing with paua broodstock diet trials and is developing egg/larval
quality assessment protocols for paua. Graeme’s boatmaster skills have been utilized in the novel
antifouling compounds programme, the kingfish programme, and during the collection of butterfish.
Phil James has been involved in wrapping up both the kina roe enhancement project and the lobster
on-growing project at Mahanga Bay. The former was followed up with a Seafoods Innovation Ltd
funded project investigating roe enhancement of kina by site translocation. The latter resulted in an ongoing collaboration with Jacob University in Bremen investigating demand feeding in crustacean. Phil
has continued his involvement with NIWA’s kingfish project, rearing juveniles in sea-cages and on-
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shore tanks at Mahanga Bay to compare with those being reared at the Bream Bay facility and has also
been involved in the capture of broodstock for NIWA’s grouper project.
Sheryl Miller moved to NIWA’s Mahanga Bay complex at the beginning of 2009. She has shifted her
focus slightly, and is now researching ecophysiological aspects of paua (HVAP091). Specifically she is
investigating the effect of oxygen concentration and water flow rates on paua growth. She is also part of
the team documenting macroalagae associated with soft sediment habitats, primarily in Otago and
Kaipara harbours. She continues to be involved with the NIWA marine biosecurity program which
includes consultation with stakeholders, reporting to Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ), organizing
and conducting field work throughout New Zealand (RFP10623). In addition she is leading a research
project in partnership with Moeraki runanga (Otago) investigating the contribution of Maori
knowledge to mitigation of two invasive aquatic species; Undaria pinnatifida and Mimulus guttatus
(C01X0604). Sheryl is also the current president of the New Zealand Marine Society.
Neill Barr, who replaced John Illingworth when he retired in June, has brought a new range of skills to
the job of senior hatchery technician responsible for the management and day to day running of the
Mahanga Bay facility. This has been most evident in extensive renovation of the electrical infrastructure
to meet upgraded requirements for both electrical and health and safety standards. Neill also has a
background in ecophysiology in seaweeds and has recently completed a PhD in Marine and
Environmental Science at the University of Auckland.
Sarah Allen continues to maintain NIWA’s micro-algal culture collection, which has seen an increase of
over 20 locally isolated cultures, some with biotechnology application potential. Sarah was involved in
a variety of macro-algae research projects, particularly development of spore settlement and of rope
culture on-growing techniques for a range of red and brown macro-algae with aquaculture potential.
Jonathan Wright has continued to provide technical support for general hatchery maintenance and for
the renovation and upgrading of facilities. Johnny is involved in Mahanga Bay’s kingfish rearing trials,
comparing the growth curves of juveniles from the cooler waters of Wellington Harbour to the warmer
Bream Bay conditions. Johnny has been heavily involved in acquiring and maintaining Grouper brood
stock as a part of the investigation into the commercial potential of Grouper. He is also undertaking an
MSc in marine biology at Victoria University, with its focus on CO2 degassing processes in seawater
systems.
Kevin Green, has been assisting researchers with technical support and husbandry for many of the
various projects based at Mahanga Bay, including paua family and broodstock development, toxicity
tests on flounder, sea cucumber juvenile feeding and growth trials, and developing husbandry
techniques for butterfish in culture systems.
Cedric Simon is about to complete his PhD (University of Auckland) on the nutritional aspects of the
aquaculture of juvenile spiny lobsters, Jasus edwardsii. Following on from his work with Phil James on
developing a cost-effective sea-cage rearing system for culturing juvenile lobsters, Cedric has been
investigating aspects of the digestive physiology of juvenile spiny lobster when fed artificial versus
natural diets. This research has shown that digestive difficulties in processing formulated feeds may
explain the bottlenecks encountered in developing more effective juvenile spiny lobster diets.
Subsequent research has focused on identifying digestible and utilisable carbohydrate sources for
inclusion in new artificial diets for spiny lobsters. He presented results from some of this work at
NZMSS conferences, the 8th International Conference and Workshop on Lobster Biology and
Management, and in five published journal papers.
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National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd - Nelson
Ron Blackwell has continued to be involved in a variety of inshore projects. These have included
running a blue cod potting survey in Port Underwood and Cook Strait, and running a tagging
programme for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds. He has been involved in catch sampling and
associated ageing programmes for the Tasman Bay and east coast North Island snapper stocks and
other inshore species including trevally and jack mackerel. He has also been involved with the east
coast North Island trawl survey, and with background research and data analysis of the fisheries
conversion factors required to calculate the landed greenweight for fish species that are processed
commercially at sea.
Anna Bradley has been involved in many of the port surveillance field trips. She has also been working
on the identification of ascidians from the Ocean 20/20 Challenger/Chatham Plateau as well as from the
IPY (International Polar Year) trip to Antarctica.
Stephen Brown has finished his PhD on dredge oysters in Tasman Bay. He has also been involved in
port surveys.
Dan Cairney has participated in surveillance surveys of marine pests, swath mapping in Bay of Islands,
Fiordland diversity dive survey, transects and monitoring sites, aerial Hectors dolphin spotting on
marine farm consent areas, and sponge farming in Pelorus Sound.
Megan Carter has been involved with port surveillance work, aerial surveys of Hectors dolphins in
Clifford Bay and Pegasus Bay, field work in Fiordland, and preparing otoliths.
Russell Cole has worked on statistical tests of interval hypotheses for the Inference Tools programme.
He has also co-supervised PhD students with Dr. Jeff Shima at Victoria University of Wellington
investigating coastal reef fishes, and carried out experiments investigating links among topographic
complexity, macroalgae, and fishes, for the Ecosystem Services programme. He has reviewed Fisheries
Resource Impact Assessments for marine farms, and helped compare benthic ecology of fished and
unfished areas at Separation Point.
Niki Davey has continued to work on holothurian taxonomy, managed reef ecology fieldwork, led
recreational fishing surveys for MFish, and participated in biosecurity work.
Stu Hanchet is Group Manager for the fisheries and hydrology teams. He has continued to be heavily
involved with Antarctic fisheries and ecosystem related work. He was chief scientist on the 2008 NZ
IPY-CAML voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica and will lead the post-voyage analysis project for the
next three years. He has led and managed a variety of Antarctic fisheries, inshore, and middle depths
projects and continues to manage the fisheries and hydrology group within the Nelson office. He also
attended several international CCAMLR (Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources) meetings on ecosystem modelling and fish stock assessment as a New Zealand delegate.
Sean Handley has been involved with oysters (Pacific oysters and Tasman Bay dredge oysters), sponge
aquaculture, Fiordland marine reserve and china shop surveys, biosecurity (seasquirts and port
surveillance), fishing impacts at Separation Pt., GIS analysis, and in his spare time is Group Manager of
the ecology and aquaculture group.
Don Morrisey’s major activities for the last year were running the targeted surveillance programme for
non-indigenous marine species at 9 ports around the country (for MAF Biosecurity NZ), research on the
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biology and management of the introduced ascidian Eudistoma elongatum in Northland (for MAF
Biosecurity NZ), and development of a Bayesian belief network model of the effects of sediment runoff
on Mahurangi Harbour (for ARC).
Mike Page has worked on the chemical ecology of Mycale henscheli, and its responses to biological and
environmental variables, reproductive biology and ecology of the invasive ascidian Eudistoma
elongatum, Fiordland biodiversity; and taxonomy and biogeography of Fiordland ascidians, and an
investigation of potential deepwater fisheries resources in the Kingdom of Tonga
Steve Parker has transferred from Wellington and continues to work on several middle-depth fisheriesrelated projects.
Michael Stevenson has aged tarakihi and southern blue whiting otoliths, participated in the SubAntarctic trawl survey, and written a characterisation of the 2008 Antarctic toothfish fishery in the Ross
Sea. He is Project Leader for the 2009 west coast South Island trawl survey and has completed data
analysis to determine abundance of rattails from the IPY Antarctic survey and flatfish species from the
east coast of the South Island.
Colin Sutton has been involved with fisheries research surveys off the coast of Oman over the past
year. He has also been working on the ageing of ribaldo and greenback flounder, along with several
database management contracts for the Ministry of Fisheries.
Trevor Willis has been working on benthic infauna off the Otago coast, environmental effects of marine
energy, and biodiversity surveys in Fiordland. He attended an FAO meeting in Rome in July, and
presented a seminar at the University of Newcastle, UK. He continues collaborative work in fish
ecology with colleagues in Italy, the UK, and Colombia.
Towards the end of the year Steve Parker transferred from Wellington to work with the fish team in
Nelson. Although his main focus has been on inshore fisheries research, he has also been involved in a
wide range of other activities including Antarctic toothfish reproduction, fish reaction to trawling, and
research and management of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in international fora.
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University of Auckland
Biological Sciences:
www.sbs.auckland.ac.nz
Chemistry:
www.che.auckland.ac.nz
Geography, Geology and Environmental Science:
www.sgges.auckland.ac.nz
Leigh Marine Laboratory:
www.marine.auckland.ac.nz
Physics:
www.phy.auckland.ac.nz
Statistics:
www.stat.auckland.ac.nz
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Associate-Professor Kendall Clements continued his research on triplefins and herbivorous fishes. His
Marsden program on ecological speciation in triplefin fishes concluded in 2008, and four papers from
graduate work supported by this funding were published in 2008. Fieldwork continued on his Marsden
program on latitudinal gradients in butterfish herbivory. A paper on genome size of the giant bacterial
symbionts of surgeonfishes was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA as
part of ongoing collaboration with Dr Esther Angert’s laboratory at Cornell University. He gave a
plenary address at the Comparative Nutrition Society meeting in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Dr Rochelle Constantine conducted aerial surveys and created a GIS of Bryde’s whale sightings in the
Hauraki Gulf from Whangarei Heads to the Firth of Thames to understand the level of overlap with
these year-round residents of the Gulf and vessel traffic. Around two Bryde’s whales per year are killed
by vessel strike in the Hauraki Gulf and we presented the first assessment of whale mortality in the
region to the International Whaling Commission and the International Maritime Organisation. It
appears that the inner Gulf is the area of greatest concern and next year we will commence work
attaching d-tags to Bryde’s whales to understand their acoustic environment and sub-surface
behaviour. This work will be funded by the Auckland Regional Council with support from the
Department of Conservation. The South Pacific Whale Research Consortium’s work on humpback
whales saw the IUCN list the Oceania population as Endangered; one of only two populations to gain
this status. The research work by the consortium is critical to the recovery of these whales and is
resulting in some interesting findings. Our research on bottlenose dolphins in the Bay of Islands and
the effects of tourism is ongoing and an MSc student has just initiated a project on spatial differences in
habitat use by the bottlenose dolphins. This continues a 15 year research project. Finally, we curate the
second largest cetacean tissue archive in the world with over 40 of the 77 species of cetaceans in the
world now sampled in NZ waters. This archive provides a wealth of information about the population
genetics and molecular ecology of NZs cetaceans. This archive was used in an excellent MSc thesis by
our Fullbright scholar, Becca Hamner on the Hector’s dolphins around the South Island.
Dr Shane Lavery (joint appointment with Leigh Marine Laboratory) focusses on the application of
molecular techniques to the understanding of theoretical and applied issues in ecology, evolution and
biodiversity of marine fauna.
Associate-Professor David Raubenheimer resigned to take up a post at the Albany campus of Massey
University.
Dr Mary Sewell’s research continues in a wide variety of areas of marine invertebrate reproduction
with research on Antarctic meroplankton, maternal investment in echinoderm eggs, reproduction in
local species, and the impacts of climate change.
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Dr Mike Taylor continues his work on microbe-sponge interactions.
Professor Rufus Wells continues his research on basic and applied aspects of the ecophysiology of
marine fishes and invertebrates.
CHEMISTRY
Dr Brent Copp continued studies investigating bioactive compounds isolated from New Zealand
marine invertebrates. Much of the focus in 2008 was on synthesis of libraries of analogues of
compounds isolated in previous years by the Group. In particular, attention was directed towards new
antitumour and antimalarial compounds, many of which are currently undergoing further biological
evaluation in the US and Europe. Our highlight in 2008 was being awarded the Arthur E. Schwarting
Award by the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) for best paper published in Journal of
Natural Products during 2007.
LEIGH MARINE LABORATORY
Associate-Professor Mark Costello’s highlights included the launch of the World Register of Marine
Species at www.marinespecies.org, preparation of publications on: 30-years of habitat change in Goat
Island marine reserve, the transfer of sea lice from farmed to wild fish and the cost of sea lice to world
aquaculture industry, a commentary on how to motivate publication of datasets, and how to include
marine habitat classifications in online data systems.
Dr Richard Ford resigned to take up a post with the Ministry of Fisheries in Wellington.
Dr Neill Herbert obtained his PhD from the University of Auckland in 2001 and finally joined the staff
in Feb 2008 following a string of post-doctoral positions in Denmark and Scotland. His area of interest
is within the field of fish physiology and behaviour with particular application to aquaculture (e.g.
growth performance) and environmental stressors (e.g. hypoxia).
Professor John Montgomery (joint appointment with Biological Sciences) progressed the bioacoustics
activities at Leigh with a number of publications led by Craig Radford. The stand out was the urchin
paper which generated considerable international interest. Sensory systems continued to be a focus
with a number of lateral line based studies and publications both on nocturnal predators and on active
hydrodynamic imaging. Currently we have a initiated a number of studies to investigate the fate of
larvae spawned in the Leigh Marine Reserve.
Dr Alwyn Rees has been working on nitrogen metabolism in marine algae.
Dr Richard Taylor is currently working on seaweed-grazer interactions on subtidal rocky reefs, with a
particular interest in the role of small crustaceans. He is collaborating with Mark Morrison of NIWA
Auckland on the impacts of tourism at the Poor Knights Islands and factors structuring reef
assemblages at broad scales, and with Judi Hewitt of NIWA Hamilton on the productivity of benthic
invertebrates.
PHYSICS
Associate-Professor Chris Tindle continues his work on marine acoustics.
STATISTICS
238
Associate-Professor Marti Anderson resigned to take up a post at the Albany campus of Massey
University.
Associate-Professor Russell Millar continued his research in the areas of Bayesian inference, fisheries
modeling, biodiversity, and biometry.
PhD
Grant Ballard Adelie penguins: parental investment and relationship to sea ice variability and colony
size.
Susanna Chan Bioactive natural products.
Denham Cook Hypoxia avoidance behaviour in fish.
Adam Cowles Productivity of invertebrates in coastal habitats.
Gabriela de Tezanos Pinto Genetics of bottlenose dolphins.
Berit Finkennest Allometry of development.
Rhys Finlayson Marine antitumour agents.
Amy Fowler Ecology of the invasive swimming crab Charybdis japonica.
Debbie Freeman
(completed).
The effects of rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) on east coast marine communities
Atsuko Fukunaga Effects of multiple stressors on estuarine faunal communities and their functions.
Shariman Ghazali Fish bioacoustics on the New Zealand coast.
Tanja Grkovic Marine natural products (completed).
Lydia Guo Bioactive natural products.
Dorothea Heimeier Comparative genomic diversity in dolphin societies.
Zoë Hilton Physiological adaptation in New Zealand triplefin fishes.
Martin Hingston Connectivity of marine benthic populations.
Stephanie Ismar Influence of food-quality on breeding success in the gannet.
Yilin Jia Predictive models for multivariate ecological data.
Jethro Johnson Nutritional ecology of the marine herbivorous fish Odax pullus along a latitudinal
gradient.
Mick Kearney Aquaculture potential of New Zealand eels.
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Cary Lam Synthesis of fluorescent analogues of the cytotoxic marine alkaloid discorhabdin C.
Liz Laman-Tripp Life history variance of the marine herbivorous fish Odax pullus along a latitudinal
gradient.
Todd Landers Bioacoustics of Westland petrels (Procellaria westlandica).
Agnes Le Port Do mating migrations predict population structure in short-tailed stingrays?
Meredith Lowe Juvenile fish usage of estuarine and coastal habitats.
Megan Marcotte Eagle ray navigation.
Emma Newcombe Connectivity in a marine food web.
Carlos Olavarria Barrera Molecular ecology of South Pacific humpback whales.
Mark Oremus Genetic investigation of dolphin social organisation.
Candace Rose-Taylor Remote sensing of the benthos.
Kirsty Russell Behaviour and ecology of Hector’s dolphins.
Justine Saunders Ecology of kelp holdfast fauna.
Tim Sippel Movement of striped marlin.
Matt Slater Polyculture of sea cucumbers with bivalves.
Jenni Stanley Directional response by pelagic crabs to underwater sound.
Natalie Usmar Ontogenetic habitat shifts in snapper.
Kim Walshe A critique of NZ Fisheries ITQ Management System.
Shane Windsor Hydrodynamic trail following (completed).
Nicola Wiseman Population ecology of Bryde’s whales.
Gui (Alice) Yue Feeding and sediment biology of the Greenshell mussel Perna caniliculus.
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MSc
Stephanie Behrens Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) in the Hauraki Gulf and the effects of vessel
traffic.
Elliot Brown Effects of sustained exercise in kingfish.
Christophe Clegeur Bivalve larval identification.
Cécile Croq Phenotypic variation in the common triplefin fish, Forsterygion lapillum.
James Dare Remaining unseen in the pelagic world (completed).
Emily Duder Phosphorus metabolism in New Zealand seaweeds.
Matt Dyck Preparing nursery algal feeds for paua aquaculture.
Sera Gibson Chemical defence mechanisms of marine vertebrates.
Rebecca Hamner Population structure, gene flow and dispersal of Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus
hectori hectori) around the South Island of New Zealand (completed).
Dianne Hicks Oxygen transport in temperate teleost fishes.
Jenna Martin Linking maternal characteristics with egg quality in a batch spawning teleost.
Ian McLeod The green lipped mussel Perna caniliculus in soft sediment systems.
Amanda Meier Nutrient balancing in the gammarid amphipod Aora typica (completed).
Stephen Moore Growth and oxygen physiology of juvenile blackfoot abalone (Haliotis iris) in differing
culture conditions.
Kyle Morgan Biogenic sediment controls on ebb-tidal delta stability (completed).
Kaushik Ram Cerebellum and retinal slip in teleost fishes (completed).
Tim Riding The role of hydrodynamic receptors in intertidal orientation of estuarine rays.
Claire Ryken Molecular methods for diet determination in a marine amphipod (completed).
Andrea Seymour Induction of seaweed chemical defenses.
Adam Smith Statistical validation of near-shore New Zealand Marine Environment Classification
(MEC).
Katrina Subedar Homing ability of New Zealand triplefin fishes.
Lavinia Suberg Antarctic meroplankton (completed).
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Sophie Taptikis Induction of seaweed chemical defences.
Mark Wheldon Identifying significant temporal treatment effects in event related potential matrices:
controlling familywise error across multivariate comparisons.
Peter Williams Diets of estuarine fishes.
Nicholas Wong Styela clava reproduction.
RESEARCH FELLOWS
Dr Matthew Pawley is studying impacts of urbanisation on marine coastal communities.
Craig Radford Are marine ecosystems structured by sounds?
Xueiqang Lu Spiking sediments with heavy metals for use in ecological field experiments.
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University of Canterbury - School of Biological Sciences
The School offers marine undergraduate courses. Marine Biology (Biol 212) includes the biology of marine
organisms with an emphasis on marine invertebrates, biodiversity and marine habitats. This course
includes a 5 day field course at the Edward Percival Field Station in Kaikoura. The third year marine
ecology course, Marine Ecosystems (Biol 374) also has a field trip to Kaikoura. We offer Certificates of
proficiency, post-graduate diplomas, MSc and PhD degrees. Graduate-level courses are offered in
Aquaculture and Fisheries, The Seafood Sector, Marine Biology, Ecophysiology, Zoophysiology,
Experimental Marine Ecology, Applied Ecology and Environmental Science.
The Marine Ecology Research Group in association with the supervision of D R Schiel continues with
their work on coastal processes. The four main lines of research are:
• a FRST-funded programmes on Ecosystem-based management of New Zealand's coastal and
oceanic waters and the Coasts and Oceans OBI (in conjunction with NIWA);
• a FRST-funded project on critical coastal habitats of native fish and integration of early life
stages, natal history and riparian-pelagic coupling;
• a Marsden-funded project on scale-dependent bio-physical interactions in the dispersive phase of
benthic marine propagules in turbulent coastal waters, and
• the Andrew Mellon Foundation-funded project on dynamics of nearshore marine ecosystems.
Other activities of the group included organizing the very successful Joint NZMSS and AMSA
Conference in July. This involved all members of the group, who donated their time and effort to help
ensure the conference was scientifically worthwhile and fun.
Paul South continues his work in running the field programmes in nearshore processes. In 2008 he
focused on carrying out research on the invasive Undaria pinnatifida and how it gains traction into
native communities. He is responsible for the regular diversity surveys and implementing and
monitoring field experiments at many coastal sites of the South Island.
Kerry O’Connell continues her work in organising the field and lab projects across the entire
programme. Last year she was closely involved with working to identify source and sink populations
of inanga, Galaxias maculatus, by quantifying spawning habitat in South Island rivers. She is enjoying
developing relationships with end-user partners and the public through research and public education.
She also very ably helped organise the successful NZMSS/AMSA conference in July.
Becky Scott is assisting with various research projects in the field and laboratory. She is hoping to
continue her interest in marine science with a postgraduate degree.
VISITORS
Mathilde Cagnon was an exchange student from France who worked on the riparian-pelagic coupling
project. She tested the intensity and extent of predation by slugs and mice on inanga, Galaxias maculatus,
eggs. Her study tied in with other studies in the Marine Ecology Research Group on early life stages
and their interactions with habitat.
The Aquatic Physiology and Biochemistry Research Group are developing programmes in association
with the seafood industry, genetics of aquaculture species and the effects of stress, including marine toxins,
on marine organisms. This group also includes research programmes in the Antarctic.
STAFF AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH
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Dr Paul Broady is working on algae, surveying
intertidal rocks, sediments and seaweeds.
marine cyanobacteria in local habitats including
Dr Annette Brockerhoff (Post-Doctoral Fellow) is undertaking research on marine bioinvasions and
marine biosecurity including the impacts of exotic species; decapod crustacean biology, marine
crustacean parasites and mating systems.
Prof. Bill Davison is continuing with research on cardiovascular physiology of Antarctic fish, including
animals infected with X-cell gill disease. Effects of temperature on Antarctic invertebrates.
Ass. Prof. Malcolm Forster and his students are continuing with research on the cardiovascular system of
hagfish and marine teleosts and the effects of stress on marine organisms. He also works on food quality of
fishes.
Dr Steven Gieseg has research interests in fish macrophage biochemistry and is assessing the effects of
excessive exercise and environmental effects such as temperature on fish antioxidant systems. He is also
attempting to biochemically characterise X-cell disease in the gills of Antarctic fish.
Dr Chris Glover is an ecotoxicologist, his main interests are with fish but he is also doing physiological
research on crabs and other crustaceans.
Dr Mike Hickford (post-doctoral fellow) is co- principal investigator on the FRST funded riparianpelagic coupling project. This project is working to identify source and sink populations of inanga,
Galaxias maculatus, by quantifying spawning habitat in South Island rivers. Riparian habitat destruction
may have produced a bottleneck in the life history of inanga and may prevent individuals in degraded
rivers from contributing to future generations. Experimental habitat restorations on the West Coast and
in Canterbury are being used to create and modify management practices with the aim of maximising
egg production in streams. This project depends on close relationships with end-user partners
particularly the Department of Conservation, Environment Canterbury and the Christchurch City
Council. Mike was the chair of the organising committee for the Joint NZMSS and AMSA Conference in
Christchurch and was elected a NZMSS council member in July.
Ass. Prof. Islay Marsden is continuing research on estuarine ecology, the physiological ecology of
crustacea and bivalve aquaculture. This research includes a comparison of the effects of temperature,
salinity and aerial exposure on the growth and energetics of cockles and tuatuas. She is also working on the
ecotoxicology of marine organisms from soft sediments and the effects of toxic algal blooms on bivalve
populations. She is also collaborating on projects involving restoration of salt marshes, sea grass beds and
shellfish beds (cockles).
Ass. Prof. Colin McLay is an adjunct professor in the School and is continuing work on the biodiversity of
NZ marine Crustacea. His recent projects include - introduced crab species from the NZ EEZ, including
the Kermadec Islands; introduced crabs; behavioural and evolutionary ecology of crabs.
Dr John Pirker is employed in the School as a Senior Tutor. He has research interests in marine
ecology, restoration and protection of shellfish beds and marine reserves.
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Dr Tammy Steeves recently joined the staff and has interests in conservation and evolutionary genetics.
Dr David Taylor is a post-doctoral fellow and co-PI on the nearshore bio-physical processes project.
He works closely with Dr Craig Stevens of NIWA and Dr Roger Nokes of the Fluid Dynamics lab at the
UC School of Engineering. His work has identified great differences in the physical behaviours of algal
propagules in their abilities to be transported and settle in turbulent waters.
Ass. Prof. Harry Taylor has a continuing interest in the comparative physiology of molluscs and
crustaceans. He recently retired but intends to continue with some research.
Prof David Schiel continues to oversee all research projects and contracts, and is a principal
investigator in all projects, while maintaining a full teaching load in marine ecosystems, coastal
processes, and aquaculture. His own primary research involves effective and sustainable use of coastal
and estuarine resources based on improved definition of their ecological services, ecological forecasting
to define limits of resilience, species deletions and disturbances, and their effects on diversity and
function. He plays an active role in all of the research programmes. He, along with colleagues at NIWA
in the Coasts and Oceans OBI, underwent a very successful project review by FRST and their expert
panel in October 2008.
Ass. Prof. Frank Sin is now continuing his research part time and has interests on the molecular biology,
growth and development in abalone and lobsters and genetic improvement of growth in salmon.
STUDENT RESEARCH
PhD
Sue Adkins is investigating sustainability and restoration of shellfish beds.
Stephen Brown is a part-time PhD student, working at NIWA. His project is on the enhancement of flat
oyster populations, particularly through provision and arrays of habitat. He has completed much of
this field work, and is now pursuing lab experiments in larval settlement behaviour, as well as writing
up his thesis.
Davon Callander is a PhD student working in the Mellon-funded project. She has installed major
coastal experiments in New Zealand and the United States to test the effects of zonational patterns, and
sizes of individuals on the physiological and genetic responses of invertebrates to environmental stress.
She is working closely with the ecology group of Profs Bruce Menge and Jane Lubchenco at Oregon
State University.
Andrea Contreras: Physiological effects and biotransformation of paralytic shellfish toxins in New Zealand
marine bivalves.
Sarah Coxon: Exercise physiology of snapper.
Tristan Stringer: Toxicology of marine harpacticoid copepods.
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Leigh Tait is testing various aspect of “function” in algal-dominated communities. In particular, his
work involves how disturbance has long-lasting effects on primary production and how loss of
diversity affects production in shallow coast communities.
Sebastien Delaux is doing physical and mathematical modelling of fine-scale turbulence as it affects
movement of particles near settlement surfaces. His work shows how physical forcing affects tiny algal
zygotes as they go through settlement processes in turbulent water, particularly as they approach a
benthic boundary layer. He is in the final stages of thesis writing.
MSC/BSC(HONS)
Sarah Coxon B.Sc Hons Respiratory Physiology of hagfish.
Catherine Ertel: Masking preferences of Notomithrax ursus.
Nikki Hawes is an MSc student testing dispersal models in large brown algae. Her work has shown
considerable differences among species in their abilities to remain reproductively active after becoming
detached. Her work with nearshore drifters has also shown great differences among species in their
abilities to disperse as drifting plants.
Tania Hurley is an MSc student testing the effects of coastal sediments on successional processes after
disturbance and the interactions of benthic species with sediments. She spent 2008 completing her field
research and expanding it with laboratory experiments on effects of sediment type and volume on
juvenile fucoid survival. Her work has shown great effects of sediments both on community
composition and recovery after disturbance through inhibition of settlement.
Emma Sommerville: Smoltification and temperature in salmon.
Adam van Opzeeland : Respiratory physiology of thornfish.
D’Arcy Webber is doing a demographic and experimental study on the invasive tunicate Styela clava.
This species is widely distributed globally and has spread through several harbours of NZ. It has not
yet caused the great impacts seen overseas, but is considered a threat to NZ’s marine environments,
particularly our long-line mussel aquaculture industry.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PHD DEGREES
Gareth Iremonger: Smoltification in Chinook salmon.
Mark Novak (University of Chicago on work in NZ)Estimating non-linear interaction strength in
species-rich food webs.
Esme Robinson: Effects of temperature acclimation on the physiology of Antarctic fish.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF B.SC./M.SC. DEGREES
Nicole Hawes (M.Sc.) Nearshore dispersal and reproductive viability of intertidal fucoid algae: how
effective is drift in local to regional dispersal?
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Julia Hooper:The effects of temperature change on cardiovascular physiology of spotties.
Alex McConway: Effects of trace metal contaminants on juvenile cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi).
Frantz Smith: Effects of toxic algal blooms on the physiology of Perna canaliculu.
EDWARD PERCIVAL FIELD STATION
In 2008 the Edward Percival Field Station hosted numerous University of Canterbury graduate and
undergraduate field courses ranging from Intertidal Ecology to Coastal Geography. A significant
number of Universities, schools and colleges use the field station as a base for coastal geography,
biology
and
tourism
studies
as
is
reflected
on
the
bookings
list
at
http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/kaikoura/bookings.shtml
The Edward Percival Field Station is one of four field stations at the University of Canterbury
providing accommodation and research facilities for UC staff and students.
The field stations, located at Westport, Harihari, Cass and Kaikoura, accommodate at least 30 people
and are available (at cost) to visiting groups and/or individuals when they are not used by UC staff and
students. Information about availability, costs and condition of use is available at
http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz
Research and teaching activities at each of the field stations are documented annually and can be
viewed at http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/research.shtml
The ability to work in a range of diverse habitats; of which the marine environment is one of the most
significant with access to the South Island East Coast (Kaikoura) and West Coast (at Westport and
Harihari), is reflected in the people overnights recorded at UC field stations.
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University of Canterbury - Coastal Studies Group
www.geog.canterbury.ac.nz
The Coastal Studies Group comprises a team of academic staff, affiliated consultants and adjuncts, and
postgraduate students researching multidisciplinary understandings of coastal environments,
including studies focussed on interactions between geomorphology, ecology, climate, and
hydrodynamics; and resource and hazard management challenges. This team delivers a coastal
curriculum consisting of core undergraduate and postgraduate coastal studies courses as well as
related components in other courses and postgraduate thesis studies.
The group has been very active and successful over the 2008 and early 2009 period. Dr Hart worked
with Dr David Kennedy (Victoria University) to co-edit a special issue of the New Zealand Geographer
on Coastal Environments. She received the 2008-2009 NZ Zonta Scientist Award, which will allow her
to complete studies at the University of Cambridge and to chair a session on river mouth wetlands at
the International Coastal Symposium in Portugal in April 2009, and which allowed her to participate in
the International Coastal Symposium in Florida in 2008.
Claire Kain was successful in obtaining a 2008 New Zealand Coastal Society Masters Scholarship and is
the 2009 Sir Neil Isaac Scholar. Rijal Idrus obtained the Best Student Presentation Award at the 2008
NZ Marine Sciences Conference in Christchurch, for his talk on the coastal management challenges
faced in South Sulawesi Indonesia, while David Alexander was awarded the second best student paper
award at the 2008 NZ Coastal Society Conference in New Plymouth. David’s paper was on the
development of techniques to map nuisance algae (sea lettuce) in estuaries.
With the help of summer scholars Wybren de Vries, Zara McWilliams, Thomas Nation and Douglas
Dibly and the School of Biological Sciences’ Islay Marsden, the group completed major geomorphic,
sediment and biology related surveys of Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. A similar study will be
preformed for the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai in mid 2009. The data gathered from the harbours
will be used in 2009-2010 for a mud flat modelling study in conjunction with Korean researchers Dr
Do-Seong Byun (NORI) and Professor Cho (Chonam National University). In addition, summer
student Maki Akiyama conducted a study of tangata whenua values relating to coastal and fluvial
environments and management.
Derek Todd and Martin Single are currently investigating the physical coastal processes operating at
Ocean Beach Dunedin for the purpose of determining a long-term management plan for this important
urban coastline. This project is for Dunedin City Council. The comprehensive investigation programme
coordinated by Todd and Single involves a number of components undertaken by different parties.
These include GIS mapping of historical shorelines (University of Canterbury Geography Department),
beach topography surveying (University of Otago Geography and Surveying Departments),
bathymetric surveys (Hunter Hydrographics, Timaru), wave and current modelling, shoreline
response modelling (Met Ocean Solutions, New Plymouth), sediment sampling, and the establishment
of a Cam-Era site.
Dr Deirdre Hart (PhD UNSW) lectures in coastal studies and researches high-energy temperate and
tropical coastal environments. Current research projects in New Zealand include investigations into
lagoon and gravel beach dynamics on the West Coast while international projects include Pacific reef
island beach systems, algal blooms in the South Sea of Korea, and coastal management internationally.
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Professor Jim Hansom is a visiting lecturer in the Department until June 2009. Jim comes from the
University of Glasgow and is a specialist in high-energy coasts and storms amongst other things
coastal.
Derek Todd (MSc UC, Adjunct Fellow) contributes to teaching in the areas of coastal hazards and
resource management, and supervises graduate research projects in these areas. He also consults on
coastal resource management and consent projects.
Justin Harrison (MSc UC), Field and Equipment Technician, actively provides technical and field
support to coastal research and consultancy projects and contributes to undergraduate and graduate
coastal teaching in the areas of sediment and water quality analysis, survey techniques and other
field/laboratory methods.
Nicholas Key, Workshop Technician and Boat Master, actively provides field and workshop support to
coastal research and consultancy projects and contributes to undergraduate and graduate coastal
teaching on sediment analysis.
Paul Bealing, Geospatial Technician, actively provides field support to coastal research and
consultancy projects and contributes to undergraduate and graduate coastal field work and research.
Emeritus Professor Bob Kirk (PhD UC) is an Environment Canterbury Councillor
Dr Martin Single (PhD UC, Senior Adjunct Fellow) continues to make teaching contributions in the
areas of coastal processes and management while working on lake shore management and consulting
on coastal processes and management.
Justin Cope (MSc UC, PGDip NatRes Lincoln) is Senior Coastal and Fluvial Scientist at Environment
Canterbury and Adjunct Fellow of the Department of Geography.
Rijal Idrus recently submitted his PhD entitled “Hard Habits to Break: Investigating Coastal Resource
Utilisations and Management Systems in Sulawesi, Indonesi”.
Arash Eisazadeh Moghaddam will join the group in June 2009 to start his PhD examining the wave
climates of Canterbury now and in the future.
Zahid is in the second year of his PhD research on the effects of the Indian Monsoon system on the
climate and coastal and water resources of the Republic of the Maldives.
Alexis Bernard is studying coastal lagoons over a six month internship in the Department from March
2009.
Claire Kain is studying the evolution, dynamics and management issues of the Totara River and
Shearer Swamp lagoon complexes in Westland.
Duncan Foster completed a BSc honours dissertation in 2008 examining the dynamics of the Motunau
inlet and is continuing to research this area for his MSc, focussing on the physical, cultural and
management dynamics of the area.
Simon Hall completed a BSc honours dissertation in 2008 examining the feasibility of a gryone and
artifical opening regime in Wairewa Lake Forsyth and is continuing to research this topic for his MSc.
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Thomas Nation is studying historical shoreline movements at Island Park, Dunedin, for his BSc
honours dissertation.
Kelly Cattermole is studying the tidal hydraulics and water quality of the Totara River mouth,
Westland, for his BSc honours dissertation.
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University of Otago - Marine Science
www.otago.ac.nz/marinescience
Associate Professor Mike Barker has broad research interests in the reproduction and larval
development of marine invertebrates and a particular interest in the culture of species used in
aquaculture.
Associate Professor Steve Dawson's research focuses on the conservation biology, ecology and
bioacoustics of marine mammals. With Associate Professor Liz Slooten (Zoology Dept), he co-ordinates
long-term research programmes on Hector's dolphins, sperm whales and bottlenose dolphins. The
work on Hector's dolphins (and the North Island subspecies, Maui's dolphin) focuses on their
conservation biology, particularly assessing the effectiveness of protected areas. The work on sperm
whales is based around the use of hydrophone arrays to study underwater behaviour. The bottlenose
dolphin work is focused on long-term trends in abundance and habitat utilisation in Doubtful sound.
He collaborates internationally on issues in survey design, bycatch reduction, and acoustics.
Dr Miles Lamare’s research interests are in marine ecology, population biology, marine invertebrate
biology, photobiology of marine species, and the ecology and physiology of marine invertebrate larval
stages. This research includes an interest in Antarctic marine invertebrates and how their physiology
differs from temperate and tropical species, and understanding how climate change (ocean
acidification, changes in sea temperature and increases in UV-B over the Antarctic) will affect marine
invertebrate larval stages from polar regions.
Dr Keith Probert is Head of Department of Marine Science. His research mainly concerns the ecology
of marine sediments, including the structure and function of benthic assemblages, in which he has
continued collaborative work with colleagues at NIWA. Studies in conjunction with research students
have mainly focused on biology and ecology of coastal species and habitats, environmental effects of
human disturbances on coastal systems, and biodiversity of shelf and deep-sea benthos.
Dr Candida Savage has research interests in coastal ecology, with a particular focus on understanding
how humans have changed ecosystem structure and functioning in coastal habitats. Her research
involves studies on how land use, in particular intensification of farming, in catchments has impacted
the ecology and nitrogen cycle in estuaries. This research continues with a collaborative project to
understand the synergistic and antagonistic effects of enhanced productivity and increased
sedimentation from estuaries on nearshore bivalve-dominated ecosystems. Candida has ongoing
collaboration with Professor Thomas Bianchi (Texas A&M University) on the use of biomarkers to
assess organic matter cycling in coastal environments over different spatio-temporal scales. This
research includes palaeoecological applications to assess drivers of historical changes in primary
productivity in Fiordland and the flux and selective preservation of various organic matter sources in
sedimentary environments. Recent research has extended to coral reef ecosystems to investigate how
geochemical proxies and photosynthetic parameters change in response to varying environmental
conditions.
Associate Professor Abigail Smith continues her research into shelf carbonate geochemistry with
particular reference to carbonate production by bryozoans and on temperate reefs. A major project
focuses on bryozoan geochemistry and its relevance to changes in sea-water chemistry, ocean
acidification, and paleoenvironment. Her other major research area is in carbonate production and
growth by cool-water bryozoans. Abby teaches and supervises students working on topics in carbonate
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sedimentology, temperate reefs, and coastal management. Immediate Past President of the NZMSS,
Abby also serves on the Otago Conservation Board.
Dr Ross Vennell continues his research in physical oceanography.
Associate Professor Stephen Wing's research focuses on population biology of marine invertebrates
and fishes, food web structure and biodiversity conservation. His current research in the Fiordland
marine system focuses on the incorporation of terrestrial organic matter into the marine food web,
spatial structure of populations of fishes, sea urchins, rock lobster and kelp, and assessing the biological
consequences of marine reserves in the system. Current work on food web structure of the deep basin
communities relies on use of stable isotope and fatty acid biomarkers to identify carbon sources to the
community. Work on spatial structure of blue cod, sea perch and rock lobster populations in Fiordland
continues with both analysis of food web position using stable isotope analysis and use of trace
elemental signatures to assess relative site fidelity of the different species. Long-term monitoring
studies of the marine reserves of Fiordland focus on identifying trends in populations and communities
associated with individual habitats and management zones in the system.
The Department has four Honorary or Adjunct academic staff: Dr Katrin Berkenbusch (benthic
ecology), Dr Niel Bruce (crustacean biology and systematics), Dr Chris Lalas (pinniped biology) and
Dr Ashley Rowden (benthic ecology).
Drs Gary Griffith, Jean McKinnon and Brian Paavo were Teaching Fellows in the Department for
2008 assisting in particular with the growing undergraduate programme. Daryl Coup continues in his
role as Computer Support, Mrs Chris Fitzpatrick as Departmental Administrator, and Lynn Paterson
provides secretarial support for the campus office. Paul Meredith coordinates field activities in remote
locations including Fiordland and Marlborough Sounds. Bill Dickson, the Vessel Master, operates the
RV Polaris II, with Phil Heseltine as crewperson.
PORTOBELLO MARINE LABORATORY
Bev Dickson, Laboratory Manager, co-ordinates the day-to-day activities of the Laboratory, including
allocation of space and resources. Pamela Warren, Secretary, provides full-time secretarial and
administrative and computer support. Yangtian (Albie) Zhou, Laboratory Technician, attends to
operations in the communal laboratories including chemical ordering, chemical inventory, HSNO
regulations. René van Baalen, Field Technician, oversees local field activities including small boat
operations and diving. Dave Wilson, Workshop Technician, undertakes construction and repairs of
equipment and maintains the seawater system. Daniel Leduc, Resident Night Supervisor, ensures
continuous operation of the seawater system and maintains security of the site after hours.
NEW ZEALAND MARINE STUDIES CENTRE
As the public face of the Department of Marine Science, the NZ Marine Studies Centre aims to foster
understanding, appreciation and responsible management of New Zealand's unique marine
environment through its education programmes and displays. In 2008 more than 24,500 people visited
the NZMSC and Aquarium, and more than 4,400 people took part in off-site education programmes
including our school programme at the Touch the Sea Aquarium in Mapua for the
Nelson/Marlborough/Tasman region. Highlights for 2008 included the opening a new deep sea exhibit a virtual submersible dive to the bottom of the Otago Canyon, over 75 media articles, a variety of
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holiday events and a growing education programme for primary and secondary schools. The Gifted
and Talented programme was highlighted at an APEC Future Scientist Conference in Korea which was
attend by two Yr 11 students and staff from the NZMSC. Sally Carson is Programme Director of the
NZMSC.
VISITORS
Dr Amanda Bates, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, Canada, marine parasitology.
Dr Gary Griffith, Oregon State University, USA, sea-ice ecosystem modeling.
Professor Phil Hammond, University of St Andrews, UK, cetecean research.
Professor Liz Harper, University of Cambridge, UK, brachiopod predation research.
Professor James Leichter, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA, Antarctic marine ecology.
Dr Joanne Porter, University of Aberystwyth, UK, bryozoan research.
Dr Helen Nilsson Sköld, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, echinoderm reproductive biology.
Dr Mattias Sköld, Institute of Marine Research National Board of Fisheries, Sweden, echinoderm
reproductive biology.
PhD
Ruth Arkless
Undaria pinnatifida invasion of rock pools on the Otago coastline.
Cerys Bailey
Estuarine circulation physics.
Nicola Beer
Conservation of marine resources in Fiordland.
Claire Biggs
Dynamics of the Otago Harbour ebb-tidal jet and its associated dipole.
Simon Childerhouse
Conservation biology of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri).
Victor Cubillos Monras
Effect of UV-R on New Zealand intertidal species.
Rohan Currey
Conservation biology and behaviour of resident bottlenose dolphins in Doubtful Sound.
Stefan Görlitz
Ecology and biology of Abarenicola affinis.
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Catherine Gongol
Assessing the effects of different land use practices on the rates of denitrification in New Zealand
estuaries.
Gary Griffith
The photoprotective xanthophyll cycle in phytoplankton of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic sea-ice
algae.
Fiona Higgins Crane
A detailed study of the midget octopus Octopus huttoni.
Lucy Jack
The ecological role of rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) in Fiordland.
Nilesh Kumar
Headland eddy models.
Daniel Leduc
Trophic dynamics and taxonomy of meiofauna in intertidal habitats.
Matt McArthur
Benthic community biomonitoring in estuaries and inlets.
Rebecca McLeod
The roles of key species and functional guilds in facilitating fluxes of organic matter across habitat
boundaries in Fiordland.
Brian Miller
Passive acoustics and 3D diving behaviour of sperm whales in Kaikoura, New Zealand.
Gearoid O’Sullivan
Ecology of Galeolaria hystrix, a temperate reef-building serpulid tubeworm.
Hadi Poorbagher
Life-history ecology of echinoderms with planktotrophic larvae.
Will Rayment
Distribution and movements of Hector's dolphin: implications for protected area design.
Natalie Robinson
Seasonal variation in ocean density stratification beneath Antarctic sea ice.
Peter Russell
Secondary circulation generated by headlands.
Silvia Scali
Use of harbours on the North Island west coast by the critically endangered Maui's dolphin.
Kareen Schnabel
Systematics and phylogeography of squat lobsters of New Zealand and adjacent waters.
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Severin Theibaut
Formation and development of large headland eddies.
Anna Wood
Habitat complexity and biodiversity of frame-building bryozoans.
MSc
Chelsie Archibald
Reef fish in Fiordland: using physical and biological data to determine spatial and temporal patterns.
Todd Beaumont
Utility of physiological ageing methodology in sea urchins: Comparisons across a latitudinal gradient.
Peter Bell
Comparison of techniques to induce paua (Haliotis iris) to release from an artificial substrate.
Michelle Beritzhoff
Blue cod (Parapercis colias) measurements obtained using a visual underwater method.
Hamish Bowman
Flow dynamics over the Doubtful Sound entrance sill.
Megan Bosch
Effects of temperature-induced viscosity changes on current generation in sea urchin larvae.
Kimberley Capone
Comparison of juvenile flatfish growth between seagrass and non-seagrass habitats.
Tracey Channon
Tagging, movement and growth of Coscinasterias muricata in Doubtfful Sound.
Dana Clark
The effect of CO2 and ocean acidification on sea urchin larvae.
Sarah Cumming
The reseeding of Evechinus Cloroticus (kina) in Doubtful Sound.
Christine Davis
Bugula flabellata (Thompson in Gray 1848): Life as a marine fouler.
Rochelle Dewdney
Biological effects of UV radiation on marine macroalgae of the southern New Zealand region.
Céline Dufour
Distribution and abundance of macrofauna on Otago sandy beaches.
Abe Growcott
Estimating sperm whale length using an acoustic and stereo-video technique.
255
Keira Heggie
Comparison of bivalve growth rates and stable isotopic values in estuaries with different nutrient
loads.
Will Heyward
Running mechanics of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri).
Rebekah Hooper
A classification of southern New Zealand estuaries and inlets.
Nikolas Isely
Temperature adaptation and expression of the photolyase enzyme in echinoderm larvae.
Josephine Jackson
Gregariousness in a nascent breeding population of New Zealand sea lions at Otago.
Ani Kainamu
Te oranga pai o ngā tuangi mō te uri whakaheke: The sustainability of the cockle population.
Rowan Keys
Reproduction and recruitment of Evechinus chloroticus in the SUR 5 fishery.
Samuel Koenig
A novel approach to pollution monitoring: the use of multiple biomarkers to assess the health status of
coastal ecosystems in New Zealand.
Anna Lewis
Spatial dynamics of sea perch (Helicolenus percoides) in Fiordland and Otago.
Michelle Liddy
Visualization of a photolyase expression pattern in sea urchin larvae.
Kathryn Lister
Oxidative stress in Antarctic and non-Antarctic sea urchin larvae: an assessment of molecular
techniques.
Mara Macklé
Sediment macrobenthos of Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara Marine Reserve, Stewart Island.
Alaric McCarthy
Effects of sunscreen compounds on Antarctic and non-Antarctic sea urchin larvae along a latitudinal
gradient.
Rob Major
Remote operated vehicle (ROV) surveys of Doubtful Sound, New Zealand: investigating below diver
depth
Natalie Nolan
Histological effects of post-harvest processing techniques on the roe of the sea urchin Evechinus
chloroticus.
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Janet Osmand
Behavioural thermoregulation of New Zealand sea lions.
Derek Richards
Environmental influences on rocky reef habitat, kelp forest productivity and paua/kina populations.
Angela Rowe
Investigating rock-wall community structure in Doubtful Sound through the use of permanent
photoquadrats.
Lucy Rowe
Dorsal fin morphometry of Fiordland bottlenose dolphins.
Susanne Schuller
Spatial and temporal distribution of diatoms in the sediment of Doubtful Sound, Fiordland.
Anama Solofa
Reproduction and regeneration of Stichopus horrens in Samoa.
Sam Thomas
Factors affecting quality of sea urchin roe.
Miranda van der Linde
Development of an integrated digital catalogue and database for Kaikoura sperm whales, and markrecapture assessment of their abundance.
Trudi Webster
Age, sex and associations of Hector's dolphins at Banks Peninsula.
Rob Win
Habitat identification for fish larvae and recruitment on the East Otago Coast: identification of the best
method.
Shannon Williams
Breeding migration of adult male New Zealand sea lions resident in Otago.
Khairul Amir Zainal Badri
Influence of sea grass on distribution and abundance of the mantis shrimp Heterosquilla tricarinata.
Youjia Zou
The potential links between the polar regions and ENSO.
Erin Zydervelt
Predation, growth, and nutrition of (Mytilus edulis galloprovincialis, Perna canaliculus and Aulacomya
maoriana) below the low salinity layer in Doubtful Sound, Fiordland.
257
University of Otago - Physics
http://www.physics.otago.ac.nz/px/research/ice-physics/
The main interest of the sea ice group at Otago University is the relationship between the formation
and properties of sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica and the oceanography beneath the freezing sea
ice. The oceanography of the region is dominated by the proximity to the Ross Ice Shelf. Our
observations are usually made during spring, but near-surface oceanographic measurements were
made at the time of the winter formation of the first year sea ice in 2003. We now have the opportunity
to conduct additional winter measurements in 2009, and much of 2008 was spent preparing for this
experiment. In particular a pilot experiment was conducted from September to October 2008.
Students also conducted projects on the relationship between salinity, temperature and interface
position in the freezing of sea ice, on the crystal orientation of ice grown in brackish waters, and on the
rates of desalination in sea ice. Modelling of the growth of platelet ice, an ice type related to the
proximity of an ice shelf also took place. Most recently modelling of the response of tethered objects in
a wave field has begun, with a view to understanding the behaviour of wave energy absorbers.
Pat Langhorne is interested in the relationship between the formation and properties of Antarctic sea
ice and the oceanography beneath the ice. Proximity to an ice shelf causes an ice type, called platelet ice,
to be formed and there are many interesting problems associated with this ice type.
Andy Mahoney is a post-doctoral fellow who is spending February to October 2009 carrying out
observations of sea ice physical properties and measurements of the water column beneath the sea ice
of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. The measurements are being made by a team of three (Mahoney, PhD
student Alex Gough and field assistant, Brian Staite).
PhD
Craig Purdie The freezing of land-fast sea ice during the Antarctic winter,
Natalie Robinson Investigation of ocean density stratification during growth and decay of Antarctic
sea-ice, (jointly with Otago Marine Science & NIWA)
Alex Gough Winter formation of sea ice close to an ice shelf
MSc
D. Yamagishi Experimental study of phase change in rapidly growing sea ice (completed 2008)
D. Dempsey Observations and modelling of platelet ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica (submitted 2008)
P. Young Coupled wave energy point absorbers (jointly with NIWA)
258
Victoria University of Wellington
School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory
Centre for Marine Environmental and Economic Research
www.victoria.ac.nz/sbs
www.victoria.ac.nz/vucel
www.victoria.ac.nz/cmeer
THE SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND VICTORIA UNIVERSITY COASTAL ECOLOGY LABORATORY
2008 saw the construction of a new research facility for the School of Biological Sciences: The Victoria
University Coastal Ecology Laboratory (VUCEL), which supports research in marine biology and
coastal ecology. The school also saw the continuing success of the Centre for Marine Environmental
and Economic Research (CMEER) and the permanent appointment of marine biologist Dr. Ken Ryan to
our first position in Antarctic Biology.
Dr. James J. Bell
The work of my group falls within 3 inter-related areas; marine conservation (particularly Marine
Protected Area ecology, invasive species ecology, and habitat degradation), population connectivity
and sponge ecology. I am particularly interested in examining the effectives of MPAs, designing
suitable monitoring and mapping programmes, socio-economic impacts of MPAs, designing MPA
networks and trophic interactions within MPAs. My connectivity work utilises population genetics to
understand linkages between populations and to determine how far larvae travel and identify larval
sources; this work feeds directly into my work on marine conservation. Finally, our work on sponges is
concerned with understanding temporal and spatial variability in sponge assemblages and their
functional roles in marine systems.
In 2008 I conducted fieldwork at Palmyra Atoll (US), Indonesia, Tonga and in New Zealand. Work this
year has particularly focused on developing novel microsatellite markers for Austrolittorina cincta and
A. antipodium for connectivity work, and helping my group establish their PhD research projects. I have
a long history of research in Indonesia and began a new project on barrel sponges in 2008. In December
was an invited plenary speaker at an Indonesia Academy of Sciences conference in Makassar to
celebrate the letter from Ternate sent by Alfred Russell Wallace. 2008 was a productive year, where I
have seen my research group grow to full capacity and I acted at the Director of the Centre for Marine
Environmental and Economic Research while the director was on sabbatical. Finally, I was involved in
editing a new book ‘The Taputeranga Marine Reserve’.
PhD
Pelayo Salinas
Connectivity in coastal marine ecosystems
Alejandra Perea
Functional diversity of subtidal ecosystems.
Jade Berman
Inter-ocean variability in sponge assemblages
Tamsen Byfield
Habitat mapping and the development of MPA monitoring tool
259
Abigail Powell
The effect of environmental degradation and climate change of coral-sponge interactions
Ingrid Knapp
The ecology sponges at Palmyra Atoll.
Urusla Rosar
Effectiveness of Marine Reserves in NZ
Daniela Diaz
Economic impacts of marine reserve designation
Tyler Eddy
Marine Reserves as Conservation and Management Tools in New Zealand
Celine Reisser
Genetic isolation of Island marine populations
Jamie Tam
Environmental gradients on the Wellington south coast
Danelle Lerkan
National assessment of the effectivness of NZ Marine Protected Areas
Tim Jones
Designing accurate and effective means of monitoring marine ecosystems.
Ceasar Cardenas
Interactions between sponges and algae.
Sonia Rowley
Environmental plasticity in gorgoneans.
Lauren Fletcher
Larval dispersal ecology of ascidians
MSc students
Heather Murray
Sponge bleaching
Jennifer VanderVeur
The ecology of Austrolittorina cincta and A. antipodum
Nick Ward
Seasonal variability in benthic marine systems
Sean Cooper
Trophic Interactions and Ecosystem Management at the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands.
260
Dr. Simon Davy
In 2008, Dr Simon Davy continued his research on cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis and coral reef
ecology, as well the diversity and ecology of Antarctic sea-ice microbes, and sponge physiology and
ecology. In June, he spent two weeks at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, where he collaborated with
Prof. Denis Allemand to investigate the impacts of ocean acidification on the photo-physiology of
corals. In July, he attended the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, where he
chaired a 2.5-day session on the functional biology of corals, and in December he chaired the ocean
acidification session at the 4th International Deep Sea Coral Symposium in Wellington. Simon obtained
external research funds from The National Geographic Society, for his ongoing coral disease research at
Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific, and NSF, for a study of coral viruses with his long-time colleagues
Drs. Willie Wilson and Susie Wharam of the Bigelow Marine Lab in Maine. Simon continued external
collaborations with Prof. Virginia Weis (Oregon State University), Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
(University of Queensland), Dr. Greta Aeby (University of Hawaii) and Dr. Rosanne Quinnell
(University of Sydney), amongst others. Finally, he finished co-authoring a new textbook, The Biology of
Coral Reefs, for Oxford University Press.
VISITORS
Dr Rosanne Quinnell (University of Sydney) visited in mid-2008 to develop a collaborative project
investigating the symbiont repopulation dynamics of bleached corals, and nutrient trafficking across
the host-symbiont interface.
PhD
Dan Logan
Dan continued his research on host-symbiont recognition in cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. Dan
presented a paper on his work at the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium in Florida.
Laura Wicks
Laura continued her research on the physiology and ecology of high latitude versus low latitude corals.
She spent several weeks at Lord Howe Island, where she was assisted by leading coral photophysiologist Dr. Ross Hill (University of Technology, Sydney), and conducted molecular analyses at the
University of Queensland, in the lab of Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg.
Gareth Williams
Gareth continued his research on the statistical modelling of coral disease patterns in the Pacific. He
spent several months in the field, at Palmyra Atoll and Coconut Island, Hawaii, where he worked
alongside his co-supervisor Dr. Greta Aeby. Gareth presented a paper on his work at the 11th
International Coral Reef Symposium in Florida.
Emily Dicks
Emily continued her research on the evasion of host immune responses by symbiotic algae. Emily spent
3 months based at Oregon State University, working in the lab of her co-supervisor Prof. Virginia Weis.
Dorota Starzak
Dorota began her PhD on the dynamics and physiology of coral bleaching recovery, and proteomic
analysis of the host-symbiont membrane interface.
261
Anne Wietheger
Anne recently began her PhD on the role of antioxidants in coral bleaching resistance.
[Simon also co-supervises PhD students Eileen Koh and Meghana Rajanahally with Dr. Ken Ryan, both
of whom study the microbial communities of Antarctic sea ice, and Alejandra Perea, Jade Berman and
Sonia Rowley with Dr. James Bell, who are studying the physiology and ecology of sponges or
gorgonians].
MSc
Shyam Morar
Shyam completed his MSc on the nutritional utilisation of sediment by the mudflat sea anemone
Anthopleura aureoradiata.
Tiffany Bock
Tiffany completed her MSc on the biochemical control of photosynthate release in a sea anemonedinoflagellate symbiosis.
Scott Lawrence
Scott completed his MSc on the molecular characterisation of symbiotic sub-cuticular bacteria in
echinoderms. Scott visited the lab of Dr. Mike Taylor at the University of Auckland, where Scott
developed FISH techniques for the study of these bacteria. Scott recently began a PhD with Simon
Davy, studying coral reef viruses.
Chris Gibbons
Chris completed his MSc on the photo-physiology of the local symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura
aureoradiata in response to thermal stress.
Milena Palka
Milena continued her MSc on the impacts of salinity stress on the photo-physiology of the local
symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura aureoradiata.
Michael Doherty
Michael continued his MSc on the impacts of ocean acidification on the photo-physiology of corals and
symbiotic sea anemones. Michael spent 8 weeks at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco where he studied
the coral Stylophora pistillata.
Michael Cowlin
Mike began his MSc on the role of symbiotic algae in the osmoregulation of symbiotic cnidarians.
William Arlidge
Will began his MSc on the diversity and community structure of coral viruses, particularly in response
to environmental variables. Will spent 3 weeks at Palmyra Atoll and several more based at the
University of Hawaii.
[Simon also co-supervises MSc student Heather Murray with Dr. James Bell; Heather is studying the
impacts of environmental stress on sponge physiology].
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Dr. Nicole Phillips
The broad context of Dr. Phillips’ research is the population and community ecology of benthic marine
organisms. Her recent work has been primarily focused on the ecology of reproduction and early lifehistory stages of marine invertebrates, particularly as they relate to recruitment dynamics and life
history theory. She is especially interested in how factors or stresses that influence one life stage may
have cascading effects on subsequent life stages, and maternal effects. Research in 2008 focused on a
project examining the ecology, life history strategies and reproduction of vermetid gastropods in
Moorea, French Polynesia (in collaboration with Dr. Jeff Shima from VUW and Dr. Craig Osenberg
from University of Florida, USA).
PhD
Nicolai Truemper
Life history trade offs and spatial dynamics of an aggregating species, Petrolisthes elongatus
Lesley McLeod
Factors influencing the larval behaviour of NZ’s economically and culturally important coastal marine
species
Bionda Morelissen
Influence of increased nutrients on invasive marine algae and intertidal algal communities
Sergio Carrasco
Offspring size, offspring quality and lipids utilization during early life stages of coastal marine
invertebrates
MSc
Shiree Palmer
The ecological role of a mobile omnivore (Patiriella regularis) within intertidal cobble fields
Dr. Jeff Shima
In 2008, Dr Jeff Shima oversaw construction of the new coastal ecology lab (VUCEL) and continued his
active research programmes focused on (1) dispersal and connectivity in reef fish metapopulations
(funded by a Marsden grant), and (2) the effects of vermetid gastropods on coral reef ecosystems
(funded by a recently completed grant from US-NSF). Jeff conducted field research around Kapiti
island in addition to two research expeditions to Moorea, French Polynesia, and presented his research
at the International Larval Biology Symposium in Lisboa, Portugal
VISITORS
Dr Stephen Swearer (University of Melbourne) visited VUCEL in early 2008 to collaborate on a
Marsden funded research project with Jeff Shima. Dr Erik Noonburg (Florida Atlantic University)
visited VUCEL in mid-2008 to work with Jeff Shima and Nicole Phillips on modelling marine
metapopulations (with funding from a Royal Society ISAT Linkage Grant).
PhD
Sonja Miller
Completed her PhD dissertation research examining the effects of ra’ui on reef communities in
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
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Shane Geange
Continued his research on competitive interactions among coral reef fish on the island of Moorea,
French Polynesia
Anna Smith
Continued her research on the effects of macroalgae on recruitment and early life-history traits of the
common triplefin, Forsterygion lapillum.
Alejandro Perez-Matus
Continued his research on the effects of macroalgae on reef fish community structure
Philipp Neubauer
Continued his research on natal “environmental fingerprints” recorded within the otoliths of the
common triplefin, Forsterygion lapillum
Dr. Joe Zuccarello
Dr. Zuccarello continued his research on the molecular evolution of algae. Principal projects were:
Population genetics of NZ seaweeds; phylogenetics of algae world-wide; asexuality in algae.
PhD
Joe Buchanan Molecular Ecology and Evolution of New Zealand Fucoid Algae
Peter Martin Phylogeography and population structure of Lessonia
Erasmo Macaya Phylogeny, connectivity and dispersal patterns of the giant kelp Macrocystis spp. in the
South Hemisphere.
MSc
Fiona Hodge: Hybridization in the brown alga Carpophyllum.
Daniel McGibbon: Assessment of algal composition and impact to prawn ponds
Honours
Natalie Price: the Chloroplast genome of Caulerpa filiformis
GradDipSci
Michel Oellermann: Actin genes in Stylonema
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RECENT PUBLICATIONS
See also the website listings at http://www.doc.govt.nz > Publications > Science and Research
Abraham E.R., Pierre J.P., Middleton D.A.J., Cleal J., Walker N.A., and Waugh S.M. 2009. Effectiveness
of fish waste management strategies in reducing seabird attendance at a trawl vessel. Fisheries
Research 95 210–219.
Bell, E.A., Sim, J.A., Scofield, P. 2009. Demographic parameters of the black petrel (Procellaria
parkinsoni). DOC Research & Development Series 273.
Geomarine Research
Cameron, E.K., Hayward, B.W., Murdoch, G. (2008) A field guide to Auckland. Exploring the region's
natural and historic heritage. Revised second edition, Auckland, Godwit, 304 p.
Gehrels, W. R., Hayward, B. W., Newnham, R. M., Southall, K. E. (2008) A 20th century acceleration in
sea-level rise in New Zealand. Geophysical Research Letters 35: L02717, doi:10.1029/2007GL032632.
Hayward, B. W., Holzer, H., Grenfell, H. R. (2008) Panmure Basin tuff ring. Geocene 3: 1-2.
Hayward, B. W., Sandiford, A. (2008) Bridge protects St Kentigern's cliff section. Geocene 3: 10-11.
Hayward, B. W. (2008) Protecting New Zealand's earth science heritage - natural arches. Geological
Society of New Zealand Newsletter 145: 23-26.
Hayward, B. W., Morley, M. S. (2008) Intertidal life of the Tamaki Estuary and its entrance, Auckland.
Auckland Regional Council Technical Publication 373: 71 p.
Hayward, B. W., Grenfell, H. R., Sabaa, A. T., Morley, M. S. (2008) Ecological impact of the introduction
to New Zealand of Asian date mussels and cordgrass - the foraminiferal, ostracod and molluscan
record. Estuaries and Coasts 31: 941-959.
Hayward, B. W., Scott, G. H., Crundwell, M. P., Kennett, J. P., Carter, L., Neil, H., Sabaa, A. T., Wilson,
K., Rodger, J. S., Schaefer, G., Grenfell, H. R., Li, Q. (2008) The effect of submerged plateaux on
Pleistocene gyral circulation and sea-surface temperatures in the Southwest Pacific. Planetary and
Global Change 63: 309-316.
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Vyssotski, M.; MacKenzie, A.; Scott, D. (2008) TLC and 31P-NMR analysis of low polarity
phospholipids. Lipids. Published at Online First™, DOI 10.1007/s11745-008-3272-4.
Falshaw, R. and Furneaux , R.H. (2009) Chemotaxonomy of New Zealand red algae in the family
Gigartinaceae (Rhodophyta) based on galactan structures from the tetrasporophyte lifestage.
Carbohydrate Research, 344, 210-216.
Catchpole, O.J.; Tallon, S.J.; Eltringham, W.E.; Grey, J.B.; Fenton, K.A.; Vagi, E.M.; Vyssotski, M.V.;
MacKenzie, A.D.; Ryan, J.; Zhu, Y. (2009) The extraction and fractionation of specialty lipids using near
critical fluids. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 47, 591–597.
Massey University (Auckland and Palmerston North)
Berghan, J., Algie, K. D., Stockin, K. A., Wiseman, N., Constantine, R., Tezanos-Pinto, G., & Mourão, F.
(2008). A preliminary photo-identification study of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the
Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 42, 465-472.
Meynier L, Morel PCH, Mackenzie DDS, MacGibbon A, Chilvers BL, Duignan PJ (2008) Proximate
composition, energy content, and fatty acid composition of marine species from the Campbell plateau,
New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 42:425-437
Meynier L, Morel PCH, Chilvers BL, Mackenzie DDS, MacGibbon A, Duignan PJ (2008) Temporal and
sex differences in the blubber fatty acid profiles of the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri.
Marine Ecology Progress Series 366:271-279.
Meynier, L., Stockin, K. A., Bando, M. K. H., & Duignan, P. J. (2008a). Stomach contents of common
dolphins (Delphinus sp.) from New Zealand waters. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater
Research, 42, 257-268.
Meynier, L., Mackenzie, D., Duignan, P., Chilvers, B. L., & Morel, P. (in press). Variability in the diet of
the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) at the Auckland Islands, New Zealand. Marine Mammal
Science.
Meynier, L., Pusineri, C., Spitz, J., Santos, M. B., Pierce, G. J., & Ridoux, V. (2008b). Intraspecific dietary
variation in the short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis in the Bay of Biscay: the importance
of fat fish Marine Ecology Progress Series, 354, 277-287.
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Auckland Regional Council
Chiaroni, L., Hewitt, J. E., Hancock, N., (2008). Benthic marine habitats and communities of Kawau Bay.
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by Auckland UniServices Ltd for Auckland Regional Council. Auckland Regional Council Technical
Report 2008/012.
Haggitt, T,. Mead, S., Bellingham, M. (2008). Review of environmental information on the Kaipara
Harbour marine environment. Prepared for Auckland Regional Council by ASR/CASL. Auckland
Regional Council Technical Publication 345. 190pp.
Hewitt, J. E. (2008). Benthic ecology of Weiti Estuary and Karepiro Bay. Prepared for Auckland
Regional Council by NIWA. Auckland Regional Council Technical Report 2008/019.
Kench, P. (2008). Beach monitoring in the Auckland Region: Beach profile analysis. Prepared for
Auckland Regional Council by Auckland UniServices Ltd. Auckland Regional Council Technical
Report 2008/015. 71pp.
Mills, G., Williamson, B. (2008). Marine sediment contaminants: trend analysis and programme review.
Prepared by Diffuse Sources Ltd for Auckland Regional Council. Auckland Regional Council Technical
Report 2009/017.
Miller, A., Lundquist, C., Dare, J., (2008). Upper Waitemata Harbour ecological monitoring: 2005-2008.
Prepared for Auckland Regional Council by NIWA. Auckland Regional Council Techncial Report
2008/013. 76pp.
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Scarsbrook, M. (2008). Saline water quality state and trends in the Auckland region. Prepared for
Auckland Regional Council by NIWA. Auckland Regional Council Technical Report 2008/005. 54 pages.
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Allum, L. L. (2009) Review of Biological Monitoring Data on Pöhatu Marine Reserve. Canterbury
Conservancy Series 43p
Benn, J.L. (2009) Marine Protected Areas (MPA): Habitat Maps for Canterbury. Conservancy Series: 36p
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Canterbury Conservancy, Christchurch, CD ROM. ISBN 978-0-478-14563-2
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camera data from the southern Taranaki coast. Prepared in partial fulfilment of the Master in Marine
Conservation for the Department of Conservation.
Chadderton L., Stuart M., Cooper, S., Hunt, L., Carruthers, M. (2009) Results of an attempt to control
and eradicate Undaria pinnatifida in Southland, New Zealand. April 1997 - November 2004. Southland
Conservancy Report. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. ISBN: 978-0-478-14582-3
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Peninsula. Prepared by Davidson Environmental Ltd for Department of Conservation, Canterbury
Conservancy, Survey and Monitoring Report No. 568, 35p.
Eddy, T. Gardner, J. and Bell, J (2008). A status report on the biological and physical information for
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NIWA, 2008. Timaru Sea Level Station: Annual report for 2007. Unpublished client report prepared for
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NIWA, 2008. Steep Head directional wave buoy annual report for Jan 2008 to Dec 2008. Unpublished
client report prepared for Environment Canterbury.
302
Environment Waikato
Brown, B. 2008. Natural Character and Visual Impact Assessment of Potential Finfish Farming
Development. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/24.
Brownell, B.; Dahm, J.; Graeme, M. 2008. Priorities and Related Actions for the Sustainable
Management of the Firth of Thames Ramsar Site. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/15.
Du Fresne, S. 2008. Evaluation of the Impacts of Finfish Farming on Marine Mammals in the Firth of
Thames. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/27.
Felsing, M.; Singleton, N. 2008. Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme April 2001 to April 2006.
Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/48. 84pp.
Gibbs, M.; Bremner, D. 2008. Wharekawa Estuary Sediment Sources. Environment Waikato Technical
Report 2008/07.
Graeme, M. 2008. Estuarine Vegetation Survey - Tairua Harbour. Environment Waikato Technical
Report 2008/52.
Graeme, M. 2008. Estuarine Vegetation Survey - Wharekawa Harbour. Environment Waikato Technical
Report 2008/40.
Jones, H. 2008. Coastal Sedimentation: What We Know and the Information Gaps. Environment
Waikato Technical Report 2008/12.
Kim, N. 2008. Trace Elements in Sediments of the Lower Eastern Coast of the Firth of Thames.
Environment Waikato Technical Report 2007/08.
Sagar, P. 2008. Assessment of the Potential Impacts on Waders and Seabirds of Finfish Marine Farming
in the Firth of Thames. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/50.
Swales, A. 2008. Mangrove-Habitat Expansion in the Southern Firth of Thames: Sedimentation
Processes and Coastal-Hazards Mitigation. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/13.
Tonkin & Taylor 2008. West Coast Hazard Project. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/14.
Zeldis, J. 2008. Exploring the Carrying Capacity of the Firth of Thames for Finfish Farming: A Nutrient
Mass-Balance Approach. Environment Waikato Technical Report 2008/16.
303
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Milne, J.R. 2008. Annual coastal monitoring report for the Wellington region, 2007/08. Greater Wellington
Regional Council Publication No. GW/EMI/-G-08/162.
Robertson, B.; Stevens, L. 2008. Porirua Harbour: Fine scale monitoring 2007/08. Report prepared for
Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Robertson, B.; Stevens, L. 2008. Whareama Estuary: fine scale monitoring 2007/08. Report prepared for
Robertson, B.; Stevens, L. 2008. Castlepoint Beach: fine scale monitoring 2007/08. Report prepared for
Ryan, A.; Warr, S. 2008. On the Beaches 2007/08: Annual recreational water quality monitoring report for the
Wellington region. Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/EMI-T-08/79.
Stephenson, G.; Milne, J.R.; Sorensen, P. 2008. Wellington Harbour marine sediment quality investigation.
Greater Wellington Regional Council, Publication No. GW/EMI-T-08/83.
Stevens, L.; Robertson, B. 2008. Porirua Harbour: Broad scale habitat mapping 2007/08. Report prepared
for Greater Wellington Regional Council.
304
A.D. MacKenzie. “Natural sources of bioactive phospholipids”, presented at International conference
"Functional Foods and Edible Oils - The Future," 12-13 November 2008, Auckland, New Zealand, p.70.
Stuart R. Deployment of the WET-NZ Proof-of–concept wave energy converter in Pegasus Bay,
AWATEA Annual Conference, Wellington, 29 May 2008
Gardiner A. I., Yang T., Stuart R. Electrical Considerations in the Direct Capture of Marine Wave
Energy, EEA 2007 Conference, Auckland, 16 June 2007
Yang T. Electrical induction machine drive for a wave energy converter, NERI Post Graduate Energy
Conference, Massey University, 17-18 July, 2007
Le Ngoc L. and Gardiner A. I. Mechanical Design Concepts for a New Wave Energy Converter,
AWATEA Marine Energy Conference, 15 March 2007, Wellington
Gardiner A. I., Le Ngoc L. Direct Mechanical Conversion of Ocean Wave Energy, IPENZ Vision 20/20
Conference, Auckland, 23 March 2007
Le Ngoc, Stevens, Smith. Experimental modeling of spar buoy added mass under surge, heave and
pitch, Farella, (Poster) NZM S Conference, Hamilton, 29-31 August 2007
Itabashi Y., Fusetani N., Svetashev V. and Vyssotski M.. 2007. “Mass spectrometric analysis of
eicosanoids from seaweeds”. 2nd East Asian Marine Bioscience Symposium. Sapporo, Japan, p.5.
Gardiner A. I. Real Waves and Real Absorbers, , Aotearoa Wave and Tidal Energy Association
(AWATEA) MiniConference, Wellington, 8 September, 2006
Scott K., Analysis of an Oscillating Spar Buoy, (Poster) NZMSS meeting, Nelson, 15 Sept 2006, judged
first prize in category for innovative use of equipment and second overall
305
Roberts, C D. (2008). Gemfish. New Zealand Fishing News. 31(4): 54.
Roberts, C.D. (2008). Orange bellowsfish. New Zealand Fishing News 31 (7): 34.
Roberts, C.D. (2008). Rare jacks wanted! New Zealand Fishing News 31 (11): 34.
Roberts, C.D. (2008). Scott’s plunderfish. New Zealand Fishing News 31(3): 48
Roberts, C.D. (2008). Spotted black groper. New Zealand Fishing News 31 (9): 34.
Roberts, C.D. (2008). Yellow boarfish. New Zealand Fishing News 31(2): 34
Roberts, C.D. and Stewart, A.L. (2008). Te Papa marks 150 contributions. New Zealand Fishing
News 31 (12): 112-113.
Stewart, A.L. (2008). Giant Boarfish. New Zealand Fishing News 31 (10): 34.
Stewart, A.L. (2008). Needlefishes. New Zealand Fishing News 31 (5): 34
Stewart, A.L. (2008). Oilfish - a rough customer. New Zealand Fishing News 31 (1): 36
Stewart, A.L. (2008). Saury. New Zealand Fishing News 31(6): 34.
306
Breen, P.A. 2008. Catch sampling and tagging data collected in project CRA2006–01, 1 April 2007 – 31
March 2008. Unpublished Final Research Report for Ministry of Fisheries for CRA2006–
01, Objectives 1 & 2. 31 May 2008. 14 p.
Breen, P.A. 2008. Final Research Report for CRA2003-01 2006-07, Objective 5. Unpublished Final
Research Report for Ministry of Fisheries for CRA2006–01, Objective 5. 28 February 2008.
39 p.
A number of relevant reports and publications can also be downloaded from the NZ RLIC web site –
<www.nzrocklobster.co.nz>.
In addition to the services contracted from the NZ RLIC, MFish also contracts a separate lobster
settlement monitoring project from NIWA which represents the longest time series of biological data
for any New Zealand fisheries.
The NZ RLIC also provides guidance to and maintains oversight of a number of elective research
programmes initiated by CSOs. Again in 2008/09 these included supplementary puerulus collection
and fine scale spatial mapping of fishing grounds in two management areas.
The NZ RLIC has a business relationship with the NZ Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC) in support of
GIS programmes for the lobster industry. The NZ RLIC continues to invest in the development of
electronic data collection technology.
The ERNIE system developed by the NZ RLIC in partnership with Lat 37 Ltd and R White Woods is
now routinely used for most observer catch sampling and all tag and release work. In April 2009 the
NZ RLIC will undertake field trials of electronic logbooks that will enable commercial fishermen to
record fine scale catch and effort data in real time.
307
National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd
Ahrens, M. (2008). Ecodiagnostics: biomarkers of shellfish health in urban estuaries. Water & Atmosphere
16(4): 14–17.
Alexander, C.A.; Walsh, J.P.; Orpin, A.R.; Sumners, B.W.; Kuehl, S.A. (2008). "Integrating seasonal and
centennial rates of sedimentary processes on the outer continental shelf and slope seaward of the
Waipaoa River, New Zealand." Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences, Orlando, Florida, May 2008.
Allain, V.; Kerandel, J.-A.; Clark, M.R. (2008). Potential seamount location in the South Pacific RFMO
area: prerequisite for fisheries management and conservation in the high seas. SPRFMO document-VSWG-05 No. 21 p.
Andersen, O.; Dunn, M.R. (2008). Descriptive analysis of catch and effort data from New Zealand
orange roughy fisheries in ORH 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 7B to the end of the 2006–07 fishing year. New
Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/58. 76 p.
Anderson, O. (2008). Fish and invertebrate bycatch and discards in ling longline fisheries, 1998–2006.
New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 23. 43 p.
Anderson, O.F. (2008). A summary of biological information on the New Zealand fisheries for orange
roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) for the 2005–06 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/18. 30 p.
Anderson, S.; Page, M. (2008). "Comparison of bacterial diversity between chemotypes of the New
Zealand marine sponge Mycale hentscheli." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
& Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems,
Christchurch, July 2008.
Arscott, D.B.; Larned, S.T.; Scarsbrook, M.R.; Rupp, D.E.; Lambert, P.W. (2008). "Aquatic invertebrate
community structure along an intermittent-perennial New Zealand river." Presented at the Annual
Meeting of the North American Benthological Society (NABS 2008), Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2008.
Bainbridge, S.; Kennan, S.C. (2008). "Ocean monitoring and prediction systems in the Indo-Pacific
Region - III." Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Baird, S.J. (2008). Incidental capture of cetaceans in commercial fisheries in New Zealand waters, 1994–
95 to 2005–06. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 21. 29 p.
Baird, S.J. (2008). Incidental capture of New Zealand fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) in longline fisheries
in New Zealand waters, 1994–95 to 2005–06. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No.
20. 21 p.
Baker, C.F.; Boubée, J.A.T.; Smith, J.P.; van Houte-Howes, K.S.S. (2008). "Seasonal and diel movements
of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) and giant kokopu (Galaxias argentus) in a tributary draining the
Hakarimata Range." Presented at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology Symposium,
Auckland, February 2008.
308
Ballara, S.; O'Driscoll, R.L.; Fu, D. (2008). Catches, size, and age structure of the 2006–07 hoki fishery,
and a summary of input data used for the 2008 stock assessment. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/48. 87 p.
Ballara, S.L.; O'Driscoll, R.L.; Fu, D. (2008). Catches, size, and age structure of the 2005-06 hoki fishery,
and a summary of input data used for the 2007 stock assessment. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/62. 90 p.
Barnes, P.M.; Lamarche, G.; Bialas, J.; Henrys, S.; Pecher, I.; Netzeband, G.L.; Greinert, J.; Mountjoy, J.J.;
Pedley, K.; Crutchley, G. (2008). "Tectonic and geological framework for gas hydrates and cold seeps on
the Hikurangi subduction margin, New Zealand." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington,
November 2008.
Barnes, P.M.; Pondard, N.; Lamarche, G.; Mountjoy, J.; Van Dissen, R.; Litchfield, N.; Wallace, L. (2008).
"A new model of active faulting in Cook Strait: structure, slip rate, earthquakes, and fault interactions."
Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Beaumont, J. (2008). "Valuing New Zealand's marine environment." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and
Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Beentjes, M.P. (2008). Monitoring commercial eel fisheries in 2003–04 and 2004–05. New Zealand Fisheries
Assessment Report No. 2008/19. 43 p.
Beentjes, M.P. (2008). Monitoring commercial eel fisheries in 2005–06 and 2006–07. New Zealand Fisheries
Beentjes, M.P.; Dunn, A. (2008). Catch per unit effort (CPUE) analyses of the South Island commercial
freshwater eel fishery, 1990–91 to 2005–06. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/51. 109 p.
Beentjes, M.P.; Stevenson, M.L. (2008). Inshore trawl survey of Canterbury Bight and Pegasus Bay,
May–June 2007 (KAH0705). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/38. 95 p.
Bell, R.G.; Britton, R. (2008). "Coastal hazards and climate change." Presented at the Australasian
Natural Hazards Management Conference, Wellington, July 2008.
Blackwell, R.G. (2008). "Blue cod tagging programme" and "Marlborough Sounds blue cod tagging
programme." Presented at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology International
Symposium, Marlborough Sounds, February 2008.
Blackwell, R.G.; Gilbert, D.J. (2008). Age composition of commercial snapper landings in Tasman
Bay/Golden Bay (SNA 7), 2006–7. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/67. 22 p.
Bodmin, K.; Matheson, F.; Champion, P. (2008). Lake Mangahia management recommendations for lake
level, marginal vegetation and nutrient removal. Environment Waikato Technical Report No. 2008/35. 61 p.
Bostock, H.; Currie, K.; Tracey, D.; H.L., N. (2008). "Carbonate concentrations and deep sea coral
distribution in the New Zealand region." Presented at the International Symposium on Deepsea Corals,
Wellington, December 2008.
309
Bostock, H.; Currie, K.I.; Neil, H. (2008). "Carbonate concentrations in the south west Pacific." Presented
at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association
Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008
Bostock, H.; Williams, M.; Cortese, G.; de Leon, A. (2008). "Macquarie Ridge sedimentary and
oceanographic regimes." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Boubée, J.; Jellyman, D.; Holloway, J. (2008). "Tracking migrant longfinned eels in Lakes Te Anau and
Manapouri, South Island, New Zealand." Presented at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking
Technology Symposium, Auckland, February 2008.
Boubée, J.A.T.; Bowman, E.; Rowe, D.K. (2008). "Rainbow trout use of thermal refuges in Lake Rotorua."
Presented at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology Symposium, Auckland, February
2008.
Bowden, D. (2008). "The New Zealand IPY-CAML voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica." Presented at the
Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference,
Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Bowman, S., Trippel E., Gamperl A.K., Johnson, S.C., Rise, M.L., Robinson, A., Culver, K., Garber, A.,
Borza, T., Hubert, S., Tosh, J., Lush, L., Neil, S., Afonso, L., Hori,T., Rise, M., Were,K., Nardi, G., Moir, J.,
Powell, F., Walsh, A., Symonds, J. (2008). "Overview of the Atlantic Cod Genomics and Broodstock
Development Project (CGP)." Presented at the Aquaculture Canada, Saint John, New Brunswick, May
2008.
Bradford-Grieve, J.M. (2008). "Cladistic analysis of the Calanoida: testing phylogenetic hypotheses."
Presented at the International Conference on Copepoda, Pattaya, Thailand, July 2008.
Brassington, G.; Rickard, G. (2008). "Ocean monitoring and prediction systems in the Indo-Pacific
Region - II." Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Breen, P.; Smith, A.N.H. (2008). The 2007 assessment for paua (Haliotis iris) stock PAU 5B (Stewart
Island). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/5. 64 p.
Breen, P.; Smith, A.N.H. (2008). Data used in the 2007 assessment for paua (Haliotis iris) stock PAU 5B
(Stewart Island). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/6. 45 p.
Breen, P.A.; Haist, V.; Smith, A.N.H.; Starr, P.J. (2008). Review of the NSS decision rule for stocks CRA 7
and CRA 8 and development of new operational management procedures. New Zealand Fisheries
Breen, P.A.; Starr, P.; Haist, V. (2008). "Management of New Zealand red rock lobsters." Presented at the
Well Managed Fisheries Symposium of the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Ottawa,
August 2008.
Brown, S.; Lundquist, C.; Broekhuizen, N.; Hadfield, M. (2008). "Modelling oyster larval dispersal in
Tasman Bay, New Zealand." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch,
July 2008.
310
Bruce, M.; Heath, P.; Moss, G.; Walker, S.P.; Pether, S.; Gublin, Y.; Lee, P.; Symonds, J.E. (2008).
"Breeding the best for aquaculture." Presented at the Skretting Australasian Aquaculture International
Conference, Brisbane, August 2008.
Bulleid, J.; Elley, G. (2008). Measuring water quantity and quality. New Zealand Science Teacher 119: 2325.
Bury, S. (2008). "Quantifying prey proportions of Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni) in the Ross
Sea, Antarctica." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July
2008.
Camachan, S.; Falshaw, R.; McNeill, S.; Allen, S.; Heath, P. (2008). "Aquaculture potential of the
endemic New Zealand red seaweed, Gigartina atropurpurea (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta)." Presented at
the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Cameron, M.; Stewart, M.; Hewitt, J.; Chiaroni, L.; Hancock, N. (2008). "An overview of the Auckland
Regional Council broad scale (Tier II) marine ecological monitoring programme." Presented at the Joint
New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human
Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2008.
Capuska, G.M.; Lohrer, A.; Chiaroni, L. (2008). "Interactive effects of two key species in subtidal softsediment habitats of Mahurangi Harbour." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
& Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems,
Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2008.
Carbines, G.; Dunn, A.; Walsh, C. (2008). Age composition and derived estimates of total mortality for
blue cod taken in South Island potting surveys, 2002–2005. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/68. 74 p.
Carter, M. (2008). "The functional morphology and diversity of form in a bryozoan polymorph."
Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association
Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Carter, M. (2008). "Functional morphology and evolution of the bird's head avicularium." Presented at
the AustraLarwood Bryozoan Symposium, Dunedin, February 2008.
Chang, F.H.; Bourdelais, A.; Baden, D.; Gall, M. (2008). "Comparative studies of cell morphology,
pigment composition and toxicity of two flagellates Chattonella globosa and C. marina (Class
Raphidophyceae) from the northeast coast of New Zealand." Presented at the Asian Pacific
Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Chang, F.H.; Inglis, G.; Stewart, R. (2008). Hidden potential for harmful algal blooms in our ports and
harbours. Water & Atmosphere 16(1): 16–17.
Ching, N. (2008). Bay of Islands get the once over. Water & Atmosphere 16(4): 4.
Chiswell, S. (2008). "Validating dispersal in numerical models." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
311
Chiswell, S.; Rickard, G. (2008). "Lagrangian and Eulerian methods of ocean model validation with
relevance to larval dispersion." Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March
2008.
Clark, M. (2008). Descriptive analysis of orange roughy fisheries in the New Zealand region outside the
EEZ: Lord Howe Rise, Northwest Challenger Plateau, West Norfolk Ridge, South Tasman Rise, and
Louisville Ridge to the end of the 2005-06 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/12. 45 p.
Clark, M. (2008). Seamount fisheries: understanding the impacts of trawling. Water & Atmosphere 16(2):
16–17.
Clark, M.; Roberts, C.D. (2008). Fish and invertebrate biodiversity on the Norfolk Ridge and Lord Howe
Rise, Tasman Sea (NORFANZ voyage, 2003). New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report
No. 28. 68 p.
Clark, M.R. (2008). Descriptive analysis of orange roughy fisheries in the New Zealand region outside
the EEZ: Lord Howe Rise, Northwest Challenger Plateau, West Norfolk Ridge, South Tasman Rise, and
Louisville Ridge to the end of the 2006–07 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/66. 24 p.
Clark, M.R.; Rowden, A.A.; Stewart, R. (2008). "Management of the “Graveyard Seamounts” in New
Zealand: an example of balancing fisheries exploitation and conservation of benthic habitat." Presented
at the International Symposium on Deepsea Corals, Wellington, December 2008.
Clark, M.R.; Stewart, R.; Baird, S.J. (2008). "Cold-water coral associations on the “Graveyard Seamount”
complex." Presented at the International Symposium on Deepsea Corals, Wellington, December 2008.
Clark, M.R.; Tittensor, D.; Rogers, A. (2008). "Seamounts, deep-sea corals, and fisheries on the High
Seas: what can we do with almost no data?" Presented at the GeoHab2008, Alaska, May 2008.
Clearwater, S.; Jellyman, P.G.; Biggs, B.J.F.; Blair, N.; Clayton, J.; Hickey, C. (2008). "Developing a
potential control tool for the pest alga Didymosphenia geminata: the challenge of developing a speciesspecific compound." Presented at the SETAC World Congress Sydney, NSW, August 2008.
Coburn, R.P.; Doonan, I.J.; McMillan, P.J. (2008). A stock assessment of smooth oreo in Southland (part
of OEO 1 & OEO 3A). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/37. 43 p.
Coco, A., C.; Bryan, K.; Calvete, D.; Hume, T.; Stephens, S. (2008). "Predicting rip current behaviour:
process-based and data-driven modelling." Presented at the New Zealand Coastal Society Conference:
Coastal Co-existence: Industry, Culture and Environment, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Cole, R.; Mittinty, M.; McBride, G. (2008). "Extensions of equivalence testing and their application to
marine reserve responses." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
New Zealand, July 2008.
Cole, R.G. (2008). "A meta-analytic review of the effects of seaweed canopies on temperate reef fishes."
312
Compton, T.; Leathwick, J.; Inglis, G. (2008). "Predicting the potential geographic ranges of four marine
invasive species." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, New
Zealand, July 2008.
Connell, A. (2008). "Hoki diet on the Chatham Rise, New Zealand." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
Connelly, S.J.; Pringle, C.M.; Kilham, S.S.; Verburg, P.; Whiles, M.R.; Lips, K.R.; Colon-Gaud, J.C. (2008).
"Changes in quality and quantity of stream algae and seston resulting from neotropical amphibian
declines." Presented at the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
August 2008.
Consalvey, M. (2008). No ordinary stock-take: Census of Marine Life. Water & Atmosphere 16(1): 12–13.
Consalvey, M.; Clark, M.; Rowden, A.; Stocks, K. (2008). "A global census of marine life on seamounts:
are they really oases in the ocean?" Presented at the International Symposium on Deepsea Corals,
Wellington, December 2008.
Consalvey, M.; Hill, P. (2008). Marine biodiversity: the submarine metropolis of Brittlestar City. Water &
Atmosphere 16(3): 18–21.
Consalvey, M.; MacKay, K.; Tracey, D. (2008). "New Zealand's protected corals: what do we know?"
Presented at the International Symposium on Deepsea Corals, Wellington, December 2008.
Craggs, R.; Heubeck, S. (2008). "Biogas from covered anaerobic ponds: retrofits on pig and dairy farms."
Presented at the Biogas 2008 Conference, Production, Use and Realizing the New Zealand Potential,
Hamilton, July 2008.
Craggs, R.; Park, J.; Heubeck, S. (2008). "New Zealand experience with wastewater treatment using high
rate algal ponds and potential for CO2 emission abatement and beneficial use of algae." Presented at the
Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Cummings, V.J. (2008). Ice conditions structure marine communities. NZ Science Teacher (118): 26–28.
Cummings, V.J. (2008). "Latitudinal gradient project." Presented at the SCAR/IASC IPY Open Science
Conference, St Petersburg, Russia, July 2008.
Cummings, V.J.; Thrush, S.F.; Norkko, A.; Marriott, P.M.; Budd, R.G. (2008). "Coastal Ross Sea benthos:
variations in structure and function with latitude." Presented at the SCAR/IASC IPY Open Science
Conference, St Petersburg, Russia, July 2008.
Currie, K. (2008). "A career in carbon." Presented at the Association of Science and Technology Centres
of New Zealand Conference (NZ), Putting the NZ back into ASTC, Dunedin, March 2008.
Currie, K.; Hunter, K.A.; Reid, M.R. (2008). "Subantarctic water: no evidence of a CO2 increase."
Presented at the Symposium on the Ocean in a High_CO2 World, Monaco, October 2008.
Currie, K.I. (2008). "The south west Pacific Ocean: a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide." Presented at
the AWIS Conference, Striking a Balance, Christchurch, July 2008.
313
D’Archino, R.; Nelson, W.A.; Zuccarello, G.C. (2008). "Diversity of New Zealand Kallymeniaceae."
Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Dalen, J.; Nelson, W. (2008). "Rhodymeniales of New Zealand: diversity and discoveries." Presented at
the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Davey, N.K.; Hartill, B.; Cairney, D.G.; Cole, R.G. (2008). Characterisation of the Marlborough Sounds
recreational fishery and associated blue cod and snapper harvest estimates. New Zealand Fisheries
Davey, N.K.; Hartill, B.; Cairney, D.G.; Cole, R.G. (2008 ). Characterisation of the Marlborough Sounds
recreational fishery and associated blue cod and snapper harvest estimates. New Zealand Fisheries
Davies, N.; Holdsworth, J.; T., S.; Kolody, D.; Campbell, R. (2008). "Using PSAT tagging data to estimate
movement in a spatially disaggregated population model for south-west Pacific swordfish." Presented
at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology Symposium, Auckland, February 2008.
Davies-Colley, R.J. (2008). "Monitoring improvements to water quality impacts after land management
changes." Presented at the New Zealand Association of Resource Management (NZARM) Annual
Conference, Nelson, October 2008.
De Ronde, C.E.J.; Baker, E.T.; Lupton, J.L.; Sproviere, M.; Bruno, P.P.; Faure, K.; Leybourne, M.I.;
Walker, S.L.; Italiano, F.; Embley, R.W.; Graham, I.G. (2008). "Contrasting examples of submarine
hydrothermal venting along the Kermadec intraoceanic arc and the Aeolian island arc." Presented at
the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April 2008.
de Winton, M. (2008). "Restoring submerged plants, feasibility and pitfalls." Presented at the New
Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Depree, C. (2008). Harnessing the power of sunlight and nanoparticles to combat biofouling. Water &
Devine, J. (2008). Descriptive analysis of the commercial catch and effort data for New Zealand hake
(Merluccius australis) for the 1989–90 to 2004–05 fishing years. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report
No. 2008/59. 73 p.
Devine, J.; Dunn, A. (2008). Catch and effort (CPUE) analysis of hake (Merluccius australis) for HAK 1
and HAK 4 from 1989–90 to 2004–05. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/10. 64 p.
Doonan, I.J.; McMillan, P.J.; Coburn, R.P.; Hart, A.C. (2008). Assessment of OEO 4 smooth oreo for
2006–07. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/40. 45 p.
Doonan, I.J.; McMillan, P.J.; Hart, A.C. (2008). Ageing of smooth oreo otoliths for stock assessment. New
Doonan, I.J.; McMillan, P.J.; Macaulay, G.; Hart, A.C. (2008). Smooth oreo abundance estimates from the
November 2005 acoustic survey of the south Chatham Rise (OEO 4). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/39. 29 p.
314
Doonan, I.J.; Smith, M.H.; McMillan, P.J.; Hart, A.C.; Dunford, A. (2008). Black oreo abundance
estimates from the October 2006 acoustic survey of the south Chatham Rise 9OEO 3A). New Zealand
Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/41. 21 p.
Dos Santos, V.; Matheson, F.; Pilditch, C.; Elger, A. (2008). "Consumption and damage of seagrass
meadows by black swans." Presented at the International Seagrass Biology Workshop, Bamfield,
Canada, September 2008.
Duncan, M.J.; Hughey, K.F.D.; Cochrane, C.H.; Bind, J. (2008). "River modelling to better manage
mammalian predator access to islands in braided rivers." Presented at the British Hydrological Society
Symposium, Exeter, September 2008.
Dunford, A.; Rowe, D. (2008). "Messing around with smelt in lakes: ecosystem monitoring of
anthropogenic activity in Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand." Presented at the Symposium on the Ecosystem
approach with Fisheries Acoustics and Complementary Technologies (ICES), Bergen, Norway, June
2008.
Dunn, M.; Andersen, D. (2008). Analysis of catch per unit effort and length frequency data for Mid-East
Coast (ORH 2A South, ORH 2B & ORH 3A) orange roughy stock. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/23. 21 p.
Dunn, M.; Andersen, D.; McKenzie, A. (2008). Descriptive analysis of catch and effort data from New
Zealand orange roughy fisheries in ORH 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 7B to the end of the 2005–06 fishing
year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/22. 76 p.
Dunn, M.R.; Anderson, O.F.; Doonan, I.J. (2008). An evaluation of stock status for orange roughy on the
east and south Chatham Rise in 2008. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/65. 40 p.
Edwards, T.; Clayton, J.; de Winton, M. (2008). The condition of 43 lakes in the Waikato Region using
LakeSPI. Environment Waikato Technical Report No. 2008/36. 48 p.
Elliott, S. (2008). "SPARROW regional regression for sediment yields in New Zealand rivers." Presented
at the International Symposium: Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments, Christchurch,
December 2008.
Ewen, S.; Nelson, C.; Hood, S.; Campbell, K.; Orpin, A. (2008). "Petrology of some modern and ancient
cold seep carbonates, East Coast Basin, New Zealand." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington,
November 2008.
Farr, T.; Neill, K.; Nelson, W.; Hart, D.; Broom, J. (2008). "Documenting the common coralline algae of
northern New Zealand." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November
2008.
Fenwick, G.D.; Drake, D.C.; Hartland, A. (2008). "Ecology of a contaminated alluvial aquifer." Presented
at the International Symposium of Subterranean Biology, Fremantle, Western Australia, September
2008
Floerl, O. (2008). "Patterns of phylogenetic relatedness among native and non-indigenous species."
315
Fordham, S.; Garber, A.; Symonds, J.; Trippel, E.; Berlinsky, D. (2008). "Hormone-induced ovulation
and spermiation in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)." Presented at the Aquaculture Canada 2008, Saint John,
New Brunswick, May 2008.
Francis, M.P.; Duffy, C.; Bonfil, R.; Manning, M.J.; O’Brien, S. (2008). "Large-scale tropical migrations,
temperature preferences and diving behaviour of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias)." Presented
Francis, R.I.C.C. (2008). Assessment of hoki (Macruronus novaezelandiae) in 2007. New Zealand Fisheries
Frew, R.; Boyd, P.W.; Law, C.S. (2008). "The fate of new nitrogen prior to and during a Trichodesmium
thiebautii bloom in the subtropical waters of the SW Pacific: nitrogen supply in oligotrophic systems."
Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Fu, D.; Dunn, A.; Hurst, R.J. (2008). Standardised CPUE analysis and stock assessment of northern
gemfish (Rexea solandri) in SKI 1 and 2 for the 2005–06 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/1. 68 p.
Fu, D.; Gilbert, D.J.; Baird, S.J.; Manning, M. (2008). CPUE analysis of John dory (Zeus faber) in New
Zealand's main fishery (JDO 1). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/14. 49 p.
Ganachaud, A.; Kessler, W.; Brassington, G.; Mechoso, C.R.; Wijffels, S.; Ridgway, K.R.; Cai, W.;
Holbrook, N.; Sutton, P.; Bowen, M.; Qiu, B.; Timmermann, A.; Roemmich, D.; Sprintall, J.; Neelin, D.;
Lintner, B.; Diamond, H.; Cravatte, S.; Gourdeau, L.; Eastwood, P.; Aung, T. (2008). "SPICE: Southwest
PacIfic Ocean Circulation and Climate Experiment." Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics
Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Garber, A.; Tosh, J.; Trippel, E.; Robinson, A.; Rise, M.; Fordham, S.; Harrold, T.; Symonds, J. (2008).
"Genetic variation of cultured Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) families reared in New Brunswick and
Newfoundland." Presented at the Aquaculture Canada, Saint John, New Brunswick, May 2008.
Gauthier, S. (2008). Revision of in situ target strength data for southern blue whiting (Micromesistius
australis). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/9. 27 p.
Gauthier, S. (2008). Revision of in situ target strength data for southern blue whiting (Micromesistius
australis). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/9. 27 p.
Gibbs, M. (2008). Lake Taupo long-term monitoring programme 2006-2007. Environment Waikato
Technical Report No. 2008/25. 87 p.
Gibbs, M.; Bremner, D. (2008). Wharekawa Harbour sediment sources. Environment Waikato Technical
Report No. 2008/07. 36 p.
Gibbs, M.; Bremner, D.; Hickey, C.; Ozkundakci, D. (2008). "Lake remediation using sediment capping:
testing the capping materials." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual
Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Gibbs, M.; Bremner, D.; Hickey, C.; Ozkundakci, D. (2008). "Lake restoration using sediment capping:
the pros and cons." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference,
New Plymouth, November 2008.
316
Gibbs, M.; Bremner, D.; Özkundackci, D.; Wadhwa, A. (2008). "Lake remediation using sediment
capping: testing the capping materials." Presented at the Rotorua Lakes 2008 Symposium: Nutrient
sensitive zones - Nitrogen and phosphorus, lakes and waterways, Rotorua, August 2008.
Gibbs, M.; Elliott, S.; Basher, L. (2008). "Sediment source identification and apportionment by land-use:
testing a new stable isotope technique in the Waitetuna catchment, New Zealand." Presented at the
International Symposium: Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments, Christchurch, December
2008.
Gibbs, M.; Lohrer, A.; Safi, K. (2008). "Determining the spatial distribution of benthic algal communities
across an estuary using stable isotopes." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society &
Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems,
Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2008.
Gibbs, M.; Lohrer, A.; Safi, K. (2008). "Determining the spatial distribution of benthic algal communities
across an estuary using stable isotopes." Presented at the International Conference on Applications of
Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, August 2008.
Gibbs, M.; Lohrer, D.; Safi, K. (2008). "Interpreting multi-layer, spatially explicit, isotopic data in an
estuary." Presented at the International Conference on Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to
Ecological Studies (IsoEcol VI Conference), Honolulu, Hawaii, August 2008.
Gibson, A.; Ahrens, M.; Pilditch, C. (2008). "Seasonal variation in bivalve antioxidant enzymes: can they
be used as indicators of heavy metal contamination?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine
Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and
Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2008.
Giles, H. (2008). "The biogeochemical response of coastal sediments to deposition from fish farms: the
influence of resuspension." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
July 2008.
Giles, H.; Vopel, K.; Pether, S. (2008). Towards sustainable aquaculture. Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 22–
23.
Gillibrand, P. (2008). "New Zealand coastal response to the passage of Cyclone 'Funa': operational
model simulations." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
2008.
Ginders, M.; Phillips, N. (2008). "Food size preference in the freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii
(Unionidae: Hyridae)." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference,
New Plymouth, November 2008.
Goff, J.R. (2008). "Extreme natural events and prehistoric coastal Maori settlements." Presented at the
Archaeological Science Conference, Canberra, February 2008.
Goff, J.R. (2008). "Massive disturbance of coastal sediments: but was it a tsunami?" Presented at the
International Association for Sediment-Water Science (IASWS) Conference, Esperance, Western
Australia, February 2008.
317
Goodrich, D.C.; Srinivasan, M.S.; McMillan, H.K.; Duncan, M.J.; Yatheendradas, S.; Wagener, T.; Clark,
M.P.; Martinez, G.; Gupta, H.V.; Schmidt, J.; Woods, R.A. (2008). "Internal catchment data for improved
model diagnosis and calibration." Presented at the AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, December 2008.
Gordon, D.P. (2008). "Bryozoa of Taiwan: what is known?" Presented at the Biodiversity of Taiwan
Symposium, Taichung, Taiwan August 2008.
Gordon, D.P. (2008). "Bryozoan diversity of the New Zealand EEZ." Presented at the AustraLarwood
Bryozoan Symposium, Dunedin, February 2008.
Gorman, R.M.; Popinet, S. (2008). "Spectral wave modelling on an adaptive quadtree grid." Presented at
the Annual Conference of the New Zealand Hydrological Society and the New Zealand
Meteororological Society, Greymouth, November 2008.
Gould, B.; Ahyong, S.T. (2008). Biosecurity science: Marine Invasive Taxonomic Service. Biosecurity
85(18–19).
Graynoth, E.; Jellyman, D.; Bonnett, M. (2008). Spawning escapement of female longfin eels. New
Green, M. (2008). "Lessons from science in dealing with land use at catchment scales." Presented at the
New Zealand Association of Resource Management (NZARM) Annual Conference, Nelson, October
2008.
Green, M. (2008). "Predicting decadal-scale estuarine sedimentation for planning catchment
development." Presented at the International Symposium: Sediment Dynamics in Changing
Environments, Christchurch, December 2008.
Green, M.; Coco, G.; Davies-Colley, R. (2008). "Contamination early-warning system for commercial
shellfish harvest." Presented at the New Zealand Coastal Society Conference: Coastal Co-existence:
Industry, Culture and Environment, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Greinert, J.; Faure, K.; Bialas, J.; Linke, P.; Pecher, I.; Rowden, A. (2008). "An overview of the latest
results of cold seep research along the Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand." Presented at the
Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Grieve, J. (2008). Sampling the Atlantic depths. Water & Atmosphere 16(1): 14–15.
Griggs, L. (2008). Monitoring the length structure of commercial landings of albacore (Thunnus alalunga)
during the 2005-2006 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/15. 20 p.
Griggs, L. (2008). Monitoring the length structure of commercial landings of albacore (Thunnus alalunga)
during the 2006–07 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/50. 23 p.
Griggs, L.; Baird, S.J.; Francis, M.P. (2008). Fish bycatch in New Zealand tuna longline fisheries in 2005–
06. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/27. 47 p.
Hailes, S.; Lundquist, C.; Pilditch, C. (2008). "Seagrass beds: a barrier to post-settlement colonisation of
juvenile bivalves Austrovenus stutchburyi and Macomona liliana." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
318
Handley, S.; Cole, R. (2008). Marine biodiversity: effects of a 30-year fishing ban. Water & Atmosphere
16(3): 22–23.
Hartill, B. (2008). Estimating recreational harvests of rock lobster. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/11. 20 p.
Hartill, B. (2008). Length and age compositions of recreational landings of kahawai in KAH 1 from
January to April 2007. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/63. 40 p.
Hartill, B.; Watson, T.; Bian, R. (2008). "Use of aerial surveys to scale up observed harvests." Presented
at the ICES Annual Science Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 2008.
Harvey, M. (2008). Carbon: global cycle to regional budget. Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 9.
Hay, T. (2008). "Bromine explosions on ice: springtime observations by the TARDIS." Presented at the
Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the Next
Generation, Dunedin, July 2008.
Hayden, B.J.; Inglis, G.J.; Floerl, O. (2008). "Vessel fouling in New Zealand; how big the toolbox
needed?" Presented at the International Congress of Marine Corrosion & Fouling, Kobe, Japan, July
2008.
Hayden, B.J.; Inglis, G.J.; Gust, N.; Floerl, O.; Goldstein, S. (2008). The perpetual traveller: how a
globetrotting marine invader gets around. Seafood New Zealand 16(2): 18–20.
Hayward, B.W.; Scott, G.H.; Crundwell, M.; Kennett, J.; Carter, L.; Neil, H.L.; Sabaa, A.T.; Wilson, K.
(2008). "The effect of submerged plateaux on pleistocene gyral circulation and sea-surface temperatures
in the south west Pacific." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Headley, T.R.; Tanner, C.C.; Davidson, L.; Bayley, M. (2008). "Constructed wetlands in Oceania:
experiences from tropical islands to the desert." Presented at the Wetlands and Climate Change: New
Challenges for Wetland Research, Annual Meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists European
Chapter, Kuressaare, Estonia, June 2008.
Heath, P. (2008). "The billion dollar question: how will researchers help the NZ aquaculture industry
reach its 2025 goal?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
2008.
Heath, P.; Moss, G.; Hickman, B.; Wright, J.; Green, K.; Frank, C.; Ruscoeat, B. (2008). "Abalone farming
using recirculation technologies." Presented at the International Conference on Recirculating
Aquaculture, Roanoke, Virginia, July 2008.
Heubeck, S. (2008). "What is holding back biogas in New Zealand? Barriers and support mechanisms."
Presented at the Biogas 2008 Conference, Production, Use and Realizing the New Zealand Potential,
Hamilton, July 2008.
Hickey, C.; Hewitt, J.; Kelly, S.; Thrush, S. (2008). "Using community composition for stressor
identification and guideline derivation for environmental stressors in estuarine sediments." Presented
at the SETAC World Congress Sydney, NSW, August 2008.
319
Hickman, B. (2008). "Development of a mussel farming industry: the New Zealand experience (with
comments on abalone farming development in New Zealand)." Presented at the International Aqua Sur
Conference, Puerto Varas, Chile March 2008.
Hickman, B.; Moss, G. (2008). "How can New Zealand aquaculture become a billion dollar industry by
2025?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences
Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Hight, N.; Sullivan, B.; Hume, T.; McComb, P.; Wills, S.; Farmer, N. (2008). "Coastal public safety in
New Zealand: a holistic approach to drowning and injury risk mitigation." Presented at the New
Zealand Coastal Society Conference: Coastal Co-existence: Industry, Culture and Environment, New
Plymouth, November 2008.
Horn, P.L. (2008). CPUE from commercial fisheries for ling (Genypterus blacodes) in Fishstocks LIN
3,4,5,6, and 7 from 1990 to 2006, and a descriptive analysis update. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/2. 43 p.
Horn, P.L. (2008). Stock assessment of hake (Merluccius australis) in the sub-Antarctic for the 2007–08
fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/49. 66 p.
Horn, P.L. (2008). Stock assessment of long (Genypterus blacodes) on the Chatham Rise, Campbell
Plateau, and in Cook Strait for the 2007–08 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/24. 76 p.
Horn, P.L.; Sutton, C.P. (2008). Catch-at-age for hake (Merluccius australis) and ling (Genypterus blacodes)
in the 2006-07 fishing year and from trawl surveys in summer 2007–08, with a summary of all available
data sets. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/60. 54 p.
Howard-Williams, C.O. (2008). "New Zealand's water resources: getting the science right." Presented at
the Anniversary Conference of New Zealand Water and Wastes Association, Christchurch, September
2008.
Hume, A.; Coco, G.; Green, M.O. (2008). Shifting sands: shifting paradigms. Geographical Education 20:
30–41.
Hume, T. (2008). Coastal Explorer. NZ Science Teacher (119): 40–41.
Hume, T. (2008). "How community involvement in coastal hazard mitigation drives environmental
outcomes." Presented at the Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference, Wellington, July
2008.
Hume, T.; Ramsay, D.; Shankar, U.; Rickard, R.; Short, A.; Hight, N. (2008). "Classifying the coast in the
interest of water safety." Presented at the New Zealand Coastal Society Conference: Coastal Coexistence: Industry, Culture and Environment, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Hurd, C.; Hepburn, C.; Beardall, J.; Cornelisen, C.; Nelson, W.; Cornwall, C.; Pritchard, D.; Dewdney,
R.; Bell, S.; Thomas, F.I.M.; Ihnken, S.; Clarke, K.; Richards, D. (2008). "Carbon and nitrogen physiology
of seaweeds along a light gradient." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington,
November 2008.
320
Inglis, G.J. (2008). "Itinerant travelers: have we underestimated the rates of immigration and
establishment by marine invaders?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society &
Inglis, G.J. (2008). "Risk factors associated with biofouling by non-indigenous species on international
vessels." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences
Inglis, G.J. (2008). "Sources of uncertainty in detection surveys for marine pests." Presented at the Joint
New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human
Impacts and Functioning Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
James, P.J. (2008). "Sea urchin roe enhancement: a summary of research in New Zealand." Presented at
the World Aquaculture, Aquaculture for Human Wellbeing -The Asian Perspective, Busan, Korea, May
2008.
James, P.J. (2008). "The status and future of kina roe enhancement in New Zealand." Presented at the
Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference,
James, P.J.; Heath, P.L. (2008). "Sea urchin roe enhancement: a summary of research in New Zealand."
Presented at the World Aquaculture Society Annual Meeting, Guayquil, Equador, October 2008.
James, P.J.; Simon, C. (2008). "Lobsters do well in sea-cages: Sea-based lobster (Jasus edwardsii) ongrowing in New Zealand." Presented at the World Aquaculture, Aquaculture for Human Wellbeing The Asian Perspective, Busan, Korea, May 2008.
Jamieson, D. (2008). "New Zealand Country Report." Presented at the International Conference on
Uncertainties in Water Resources Management: Causes, Technologies and Consequences, Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia, September 2008.
Jowett, I.; Richardson, J. (2008). Freshwater fish: where do fish want to live? Water & Atmosphere 16(3):
12-13.
Kawai, H.; Kogishi, K.; Nelson, W.; Broom, J.; Hanyuda, T. (2008). "Genetic diversity and biogeography
of some Ulva and Cutleria species: native or introduced?" Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological
Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Kennan, S.C. (2008). "Seasonal cycle of ocean colour around New Zealand." Presented at the Joint New
Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human
Kennan, S.C.; Pinkerton, M. (2008). "Seasonal cycle of ocean colour around New Zealand." Presented at
the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Kidston, J.; Renwick, J.A. (2008). "ENSO-SAM teleconnections." Presented at the Conference on
Teleconnections in the Atmosphere and Oceans, Trieste, Italy, November 2008.
321
Kikuchi, N.; Arai, S.; Yoshida, G.; Shin, J.-A.; Broom, J.E.; Nelson, W.A.; Miyata, M. (2008). "Porphyra
miurae sp. nov. (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from Japan based on the morphology, life history and
molecular sequence data." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November
2008.
Kilham, S.S.; Verburg, P.; Pringle, C.M.; Connelly, S.; Whiles, M.R.; Lips, K.R. (2008). "Comparison of
niche diversification in an upland neotropical stream foodweb pre- and postfrog extirpation." Presented
at the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 2008.
Kilham, S.S.; Verburg, P.; Pringle, C.M.; Whiles, M.R.; Lips, K.R. (2008). "How important is omnivory in
tropical stream food webs?" Presented at the North American Benthological Society Annual Meeting,
Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2008.
King, D.; Goff, J.; Skipper, A. (2008). Facing natural hazards with Māori environmental knowledge.
Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 24–25.
Kloser, R.J.; Macaulay, G.J.; Ryan, T.E. (2008). "Using multi-frequency school scattering to interpret
model and in situ measurements of orange roughy." Presented at the Symposium on the Ecosystem
Approach with Fisheries Acoustics and Complementary Technologies, Bergen, Norway, June 2008.
Kochanowska, A.; Rao, K.; Childress, S.; El-Alfy, A.; Matsumoto, R.; Kelly, M.; Stewart, G.; Sufka, K.;
Hamann, M.T. (2008). "Secondary metabolites with antidepressant activity from three Floria sponges."
Presented at the American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition, New Orleans, Florida,
April 2008.
Kohout, A. (2008). "Water wave scattering by floating elastic plates with application to sea-ice."
Kohout, A. (2008). "Water wave scattering by floating elastic plates with application to sea-ice."
Presented at the Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the
Next Generation, Dunedin, July 2008.
Kröger, K.; Bowden, D. (2008). Bubbles on the Hikurangi Margin: the New Zealand cold vents project.
Lamarche, G.; Lucieer, V.L.; Rowden, A.A.; Verdier, A.-L.; Augustin, J.-M.; Lurton, X. (2008). "Substrate
and biodiversity mapping in Cook Strait using multiscale analysis of remotely sensed data." Presented
at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Lamarche, G.; Lurton, X.; Verdier, A.-L.; Augustin, J.-M. (2008). "Backscatter angular dependence as a
quantitative tool for seafloor substrate characterization: application to Cook Strait, New Zealand."
Presented at the GEOHAB, Marine Geological and Biological Habitat Mapping International
Symposium, Sitka, Alaska, April 2008.
Larned, S.T.; Arscott, D.B.; Diettrich, J.; Rupp, D.E.; Schmidt, J. (2008). "A conceptual-empirical
framework for intermittent river research." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the North American
Benthological Society (NABS 2008), Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2008.
Law, C.S. (2008). "Phytoplankton in a high CO2 ocean: biogeochemical perspectives." Presented at the
322
Law, C.S.; Nodder, S.D.; Maas, E.; Mountjoy, J.; Marriner, A.; A., O.; Barnes, P.M. (2008). "Cold seeps as
methane sources in Cook Strait, New Zealand: effects of lateral and vertical processes on regional
methane budgets." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
2008.
Law, C.S.; Nodder, S.D.; Maas, E.; Mountjoy, J.; Marriner, A.; Orpin, A.; Barnes, P.M. (2008). "Cold
seeps as methane sources in Cook Strait, New Zealand: effects of lateral and vertical processes on
regional methane budgets." Presented at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April 2008.
Law, C.S.; Nodder, S.D.; Maas, E.; Mountjoy, J.; Marriner, A.; Orpin, A.; Barnes, P.M. (2008). "Cold
seeps as methane sources in Cook Strait, New Zealand: effects of lateral and vertical processes on
regional methane budgets." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Law, C.S.; Woodward, E.M.S.; Boyd, P.W.; Stevens, C.; Sutton , P.; Marriner, A.; Bury, S.; Hall, J. (2008).
"New nitrogen sources in the South-West Pacific." Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting,
Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Leathwick, J.R. (2008). "Unravelling natural variation in MCI scores across New Zealand." Presented at
the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Leathwick, J.R.; Julian, K. (2008). "Conservation rankings for New Zealand's rivers and streams."
Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New Plymouth,
November 2008.
Leathwick, J.R.; Julian, K. (2008). "A multivariate classification of New Zealand's rivers and streams."
November 2008.
Lee, P.; Bruce, M.; Pether, S.; Tubbs, L.; Forsythe, A.; McQueen, D.; Irvine, G.; Gublin, Y.; Symonds, J.;
Cameron, I.; Leef, M. (2008). "A decade of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) research in New Zealand."
Presented at the Skretting Australasian Aquaculture International Conference, Brisbane, August 2008.
Lin, S.-M.; Nelson, W.A.; Hommersand, M.H. (2008). "Systematics of the genus Phycodrys
(Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) with an emphasis on three species from New Zealand." Presented at the
Lohrer, A.M. (2008). "Human impacts on ecological functioning in coastal soft-sediment habitats."
Longley, I. (2008). From emissions to exposure: are our transport choices making us ill? Water &
Lundquist, C.J. (2008). "Larval dispersal: can we generalise transport patterns within different
oceanographic conditions?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
July 2008.
323
Macaulay, G.J.; Kloser, R.J. (2008). "Innovative techniques for target identification of large mobile
deepwater aggregations." Presented at the Symposium on the Ecosystem Approach with Fisheries
Acoustics and Complementary Technologies, Bergen, Norway,
MacDiarmid, A. (2008). "Major gaps in New Zealand's marine biodiversity information; how do we
plug them?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences
Manning, M. (2008). A preliminary quantitative stock assessment of giant stargazer (Kathetostoma
giganteum) in STA 7. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/33. 85 p.
Manning, M.J.; Campana, S.E.; Joyce, W. (2008). "Estimation of discard mortality in blue sharks using
PAT tags, with implications for the status of the North Atlantic population." Presented at the Advances
in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology Symposium, Auckland, February 2008.
Manning, M.J.; Stevenson, M.L.; Horn, P.L. (2008). The composition of the commercial and research
tarakihi (Nemadactylus macropterus) catch off the west coast of the South Island (TAR 7) during the 200405 fishing year. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/17. 65 p.
Martin, M.; Boubèe, J.; Bowman, E.; Griffin, D. (2008). Recruitment of freshwater eels, 2004–05 and
Martin, M.; Hickey, C. (2008). "Species sensitivity distribution for hydrogen sulphide and relative
sensitivity of a New Zealand freshwater native fish (Inanga - Galaxias maculatus)." Presented at the
SETAC World Congress Sydney, NSW, August 2008.
Martin, R.; Bromley, A.; Moss, R.; Allan, B.; Lassey , K.R. (2008). "Unusual feature in May 2005 FTW
methane data." Presented at the Asia-Pacific Workshop on Carbon-Cycle Observations, Tsukuba, Japan,
March 2008.
McBride, G.; van der Logt, P.; Lake, R.; French, N.; Ball, A.; Mullner, P.; Elliott, A.; Hunt, A.; Oakley, L.;
Horn, B. (2008). "Modelling initiatives for campylobacteriosis." Presented at the Annual Conference of
the New Zealand Microbiological Society, Germs and Genomes in the Garden City, Christchurch,
November 2008.
McBride, G.B.; Smith, B. (2008). "Comparing two methods of calculating the probability of absence: the
Negative Predictive Value and a Credible Interval." Presented at the Landcare Research Symposium
Search and Detection: theory and application in disease and wildlife management, Wellington,
November 2008.
McDowall, R.M. (2008). Did I say that? Fish & Game New Zealand 61: 50–52, 54–55.
McDowall, R.M. (2008). How many species of brown trout. Fish & Game New Zealand 60: 36–38, 40.
McDowall, R.M. (2008). A matter of opinion. Fish & Game New Zealand 59: 32–38, 40–41.
McGraw, C.M.; Hurd, C.L.; Hepburn, C.D.; Currie, K.; Raven, J.A.; Hunter, K.A. (2008). "CO2 vs. HCl
for the adjustment of seawater." Presented at the Symposium on the Ocean in a High_CO2 World,
Monaco, October 2008.
324
McKenzie, A. (2008). CPUE analysis and updated assessment for the west coast South Island orange
roughy fishery (ORH 7B) to 2005–06. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/21. 36 p.
McKenzie, A. (2008). Standardised CPUE analyses for Trachurus declivis and Trachurus novaezealandiae in
the JMA 7 jack mackerel fishery to 2004–05. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/46. 36 p.
McKenzie, A. (2008). Standardised CPUE analysis and stock assessment of the west coast strevally
fishery (TRE 7). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/44. 74 p.
McKenzie, J.; Bian, R.; Gilbert, D. (2008). "A simulator-estimator modelling approach to derive costeffective biomass estimation programmes for New Zealand snapper (Pagrus auratus) stocks." Presented
McKenzie, J.R. (2008). Catch per unit effort analysis of SNA 1 longline (1990–2005) and the Bay of
Plenty single trawl (1996–2005) fisheries. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/36. 22 p.
McKenzie, J.R.; Vaughan, M. (2008). CPUE analysis and characterisation of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)
setnet fisheries in Fishstock GMU 1 between 1989 and 2006. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/57. 36 p.
McKergow, L.M.; Davies-Colley, R.J. (2008). "Bugs ‘n Mud: E. coli, turbidity and flow relationships for
the Motueka River." Presented at the Annual Conference of the New Zealand Microbiological Society,
Germs and Genomes in the Garden City, Christchurch, November 2008.
McLeod, L. (2008). "Variability in larval behaviour at different stages of development for species of
lobster and abalone from New Zealand." Presented at the Larval Biology Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal,
July 2008.
Metcalf, V.J.; Thrush, S.F.; Cummings, V.J. (2008). "The physiological and genetic response of Antarctic
marine benthic invertebrates to increasing ocean acidification." Presented at the SCAR/IASC IPY Open
Science Conference, St Petersburg, Russia, July 2008.
Metcalf, V.J.; Thrush, S.F.; Cummings, V.J. (2008). "The physiological and genetic response of Antarctic
marine benthic invertebrates to increasing ocean acidification. presented at conference." Presented at
the Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the Next
Generation, Dunedin, June 2008.
Michael, K.P.; Dunn, A.; Forman, J. (2008). A survey of Bonamia exitiosa infection. New Zealand Fisheries
Michael, K.P.; Dunn, A.M.; Forman, J.; Arlidge, A. (2008). A survey of the distribution and absolute
abundance of pre-recruit and recruited dredge oysters (Ostrea chilensis) in both non-commercial and
designated commercial areas of Foveaux Strait, and estimates of the prevalence and intensity of
infection by Bonamia exitiosa, February 2007. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/61. 49 p.
Miller, S. (2008). "The contribution of Matauranga Maori to mitigation of aquatic invasives." Presented
at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Miller, S.M.; Neill, K.; Nelson, W.; Stenton-Dozey, J.; Falshaw, R. (2008). "An overview of
complementary co-culture in New Zealand." Presented at the International Conference on Applied
Phycology, Galway, Ireland, June 2008.
325
Morrisey, D.; Miller, S. (2008). Review of existing information on biosecurity in the top of the South
Island. Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper. 97 p.
Morrisey, D.J.; Inglis, G.J.; Hayden, B.J.; Johnston, O.; Seaward, K.J.; Peacock, L.; Shimanski, K. (2008).
"Targeted Surveillance for Marine Invasive Species." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine
Morrison, M. (2008). Tracking snapper origins. Water & Atmosphere 16(4): 4.
Morrison, M.; Consalvey, M.; Berkenbusch, K.; Jones, E. (2008). Biogenic habitats and their value to
New Zealand fisheries. Water & Atmosphere 16(4): 20–21.
Morrison, M.; Parkinson, D. (2008). Distribution and abundance of toheroa (Paphies ventricosa) on
Ninety Mile Beach, 2006. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/26. 27 p.
Morrison, M.; Shankar, U.; Parsons, D.; Carbines, G.; Hartill, B. (2008). Snapper's-eye view of the inner
Hauraki Gulf. Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 18–21.
Mountjoy, J.; Barnes, P.B.; McKean, J.; Pettinga, J.R. (2008). "Repeated remobilisation of submarine
landslide debris on an active subduction margin interpreted from multibeam bathymetry and
multichannel seismic data." Presented at the AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, December 2008.
Mountjoy, J.J.; Barnes, P.M.; McKean, J.; Pettinga, J.R. (2008). "Repeated remobilisation of submarine
landslide debris on an active subduction margin interpreted from multibeam bathymetry and
multichannel seismic data." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Nagels, J.; Davies-Colley, R.; Merrilees, R. (2008). "Monitoring to document improving water quality in
the Sherry River." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New
Needham, H.; Pilditch, C.; Lohrer, A. (2008). "Exploring the relationships between the burrowing mud
crab Helice crassa and the microphytobenthos in intertidal habitats." Presented at the Joint New
Neil, H.L. (2008). "Sediment conduits to the deep Tasman: large canyons-channel complexes." Presented
at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Neill, K.; Heesch, S.; Nelson, W. (2008). Diseases, pathogens and parasites of Undaria pinnatifida.
Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper. p.
Nelson, W.A. (2008). "Calcified macroalgae: critical to coastal ecosystems and vulnerable to change."
Niemand, C.; Pilditch, C.; Lundquist, C. (2008). "The application of elemental fingerprinting techniques
to identify the origin and transport history of juvenile bivalves." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
326
Nodder, S.; Bowden, D.; Clark, M.; Rowden, A. (2008). "Broad-scale biodiversity and habitat mapping
in the deep-sea around New Zealand with a focus on corals and associated fauna." Presented at the
International Symposium on Deepsea Corals, Wellington, December 2008.
Nodder, S.; Boyd, P.; Chiswell, S.; Pinkerton, M.; P., S. (2008). "Seasonal and interannual variability in
oceanographic processes from time-series biophysical and biogeochemical data collection in subtropical
and subantarctic waters off New Zealand, south-west Pacific Ocean." Presented at the Joint New
Nodder, S.; Robertson, D.; Bowden, D. (2008). Mapping biodiversity in New Zealand's Exclusive
Economic Zone. Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 12–13.
Nodder, S.D.; Boyd, P.W.; Chiswell, S.; Pinkerton, M.; Sutton, P. (2008). "Seasonal and interannual
variability in oceanographic processes from time-series biophysical and biogeochemical data collection
in subtropical and subantarctic waters off New Zealand, southwest Pacific Ocean." Presented at the
EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April 2008.
Northcote, L.; Neil, H. (2008). "Foraminiferal morphological oddities: evidence of asexual budding?"
O’Callaghan, J.; Rickard, G.; Popinet, S.; Stevens, C. (2008). "The influence of hydro-dam tailrace
discharges on flow mechanics in a fiord." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society &
O’Driscoll, R.; Bagley, N. (2008). Trawl survey of hoki, hake, and ling in the Southland and subAntarctic areas, November–December 2006 (TAN0617). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/30. 61 p.
O'Driscoll, R.L.; Gauthier, S.; Devine, J. (2008). "Acoustic surveys of mesopelagic fish: as clear as day
and night?" Presented at the Symposium on the Ecosystem Approach with Fisheries Acoustics and
Complementary Technologies, Bergen, Norway, June 2008.
Orpin, A.; Page, M.; Carter, L.; Gomez, B.; Trustrum, N.; Palmers, A.; Cochran, U.; Mildenhall, D.;
Rogers, K.; Brackley, H.; Northcote, L. (2008). "Holocene sedimentary record of storms, earthquakes and
catchment erosion from Lake Tutira, Hawkes Bay." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington,
November 2008.
Orpin, A.R.; Alexander, C.A.; Walsh, J.P.; Sumners, B.W.; Palmer, A.S. (2008). "Margin-wide Holocene
sediment dispersal adjacent to the muddy Waipaoa River, northeastern New Zealand." Presented at the
AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Orpin, A.R.; Alexander, C.A.; Walsh, J.P.; Sumners, B.W.; Palmer, A.S. (2008). "Margin-wide Holocene
sediment dispersal adjacent to the muddy Waipaoa River, northeastern New Zealand." Presented at the
AGU Ocean Sciences, Orlando, Florida, May 2008.
Özkundakci, D. (2008). "Phosphorus reduction in the water column of a eutrophic lake in response to
intensive catchment and in-lake restoration measures." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater
Sciences Society Annual Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
327
Park, J.; Craggs, R. (2008). "Improved algae production and wastewater treatment using high rate algae
ponds with CO2 addition." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November
2008.
Parker, S.; Penney, A.; Clark, M.R. (2008). "Needs and identification criteria for managing vulnerable
marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean." Presented at the International Symposium on Deepsea
Corals, Wellington, December 2008.
Parsons, D.M.; Morrison, M.A.; McKenzie, J.R.; Usmar, N.R. (2008). "Can fishery selection modify fish
movement behaviour?" Presented at the Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology
Symposium, Auckland, February 2008.
Penney, A.; Parker, S.; Borown, J.; Cryer, M.; Clark, M.; Sims, B. (2008). New Zealand implementation of
the SPRFMO Interim Measures for high seas bottom trawl fisheries in the SPRFMO Area. SPRFMO
document-V-SWG-09 No. 27 p.
Phillips, N.; Croker, G.; Walles, B. (2008). "Do contaminants influence the condition of freshwater
mussels?" Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New
Phillips, N.; Hickey, C. (2008). "Genotype-dependent recovery to heavy metal contamination in the
freshwater clam Sphaerium novaezelandiae Deshayes 1853." Presented at the SETAC World Congress
Sydney, NSW, August 2008.
Phillips, N.R.; Hickey, C.W. (2008). "Genotype-dependent recovery to heavy metal contamination in the
freshwater clam Sphaerium novaezelandiae." Presented at the Annual Molecular Ecology Meeting, Lake
Okataina, November 2008.
Phillips, N.R.; Hickey, C.W. (2008). "Stormwater contaminant effects of the genetic integrity of a
population of the freshwater clam Sphaerium novaezelandiae." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater
Sciences Society Annual Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Pinkerton, M. (2008). "The New Zealand IPY-CAML voyage to the Ross Sea, Antarctica." Presented at
the Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the Next
Generation, Dunedin, July 2008.
Pinkerton, M.; Bradford-Grieve, J.; Hanchet, S.M. (2008). Making ends meet in the Ross Sea. Water &
Plew, D.; Delaux, S.; Stevens, C. (2008 ). "Multi-scale hydrodynamics and marine farms." Presented at
the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference,
Pollock, J. (2008). Linking the world's oceans: the Antarctic circumpolar current. Water & Atmosphere
16(4): 24–25.
Pollock, J.; Williams, M. (2008). ACC links world's oceans. NZ Science Teacher (119): 9–10.
Popinet, S. (2008). "Adaptive direct numerical simulation of steep water waves." Presented at the
International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Adelaide, August 2008.
328
Popinet, S.; Stevens, C.L. (2008). "Flow variability in an estuarine embayment with multiple headlands."
Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Pritchard, M.; Green, M. (2008). "To what extent do estuarine fronts impact harbour and inlet dispersion
and sedimentation?" Presented at the New Zealand Coastal Society Conference: Coastal Co-existence:
Industry, Culture and Environment, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Proffitt, F. (2008). Back from the ice bearing scientific treasure. Water & Atmosphere 16(2): 14–15.
Ren, J.S. (2008). "Modelling integrated multi-trophic aquaculture practice." Presented at the Joint New
Rickard, G.; Chiswell, S. (2008). "Validation of numerical models using eulerian and lagrangian
statistics." Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Rickard, G.; O'Callaghan, J.M.; Popinet, S. (2008). "Non-hydrostatic adaptive modelling for coastal
waters." Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Ridgway, K.R.; Coleman, R.; Bailey, R.; Sutton, P. (2008). "A time series of east Australian current
transport inferred from repeated hi-density XBT transects, a CTD survey and satellite altimetry."
Presented at the AGU Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting, Cairns, Queensland, July 2008.
Rise, M.; Trippel, E.A.; A.K., G.; Johnson, S.C.; Rise, M.L.; Robinson, A.; Culver, K.; Garber, A.; Borza,
T.; Hubert, S.; Tosh, J.; Lush, L.; Neil, S.; Afonso, L.; Hori, T.; Were, K.; Nardi, G.; Moir, J.; Powell, F.;
Walsh, A.; Symonds, J.; Bowman, S. (2008). "The Atlantic Cod Genomics and Broodstock Development
Project (CGP)." Presented at the ISAG International Society for Animal Genetics, Amsterdam, July 2008.
Robinson, N. (2008). Heartbeat of the global ocean: Antarctic sea ice and the climate system. NZ Science
Teacher (118): 20–22.
Robinson, N. (2008). "Summertime ocean processes in McMurdo Sound." Presented at the Antarctica
New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the Next Generation,
Dunedin, July 2008.
Robinson, N.; Stevens, C.; Williams, M.; Haskell, T. (2008). "Fine-scale features of ice-ocean interaction:
understanding process to better represent effect." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences
Society & Australian Marine Sciences Association Conference, Human Impacts and Functioning
Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Rogers, A.D.; Clark, M.R.; Hall-Spencer, J.M.; Gjerde, K.M. (2008). The science behind the guidelines: a
scientific guide to the FAO Draft International Guidelines (December 2007) for the management of
deep-sea fisheries in the high seas and examples of how the guidelines may be practically
implemented. South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation document-V-SWG-07 No. 39 p.
Ross, P.; Pilditch, C.; Hogg, I.; Lundquist, C. (2008). "Where are you going, where have you been? What
we can learn about population connectivity from cockle DNA?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand
329
Rowden, A.; Clark, M.R.; Consalvey, M. (2008). "Deep-sea marine mining, oil and gas exploration: the
science required to support ocean management of New Zealand’s EEZ." Presented at the Joint New
Rowden, A.; Consalvey, M. (2008). "The biological science required to support the deep sea and ocean
management of New Zealand’s EEZ." Presented at the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(AusIMM), Wellington, September 2008.
Rowden, A.A.; Oliver, M.; Clark, M.R.; Mackay, K. (2008). New Zealand's "SEAMOUNT" database:
recent updates and its potential use for ecological risk assessment. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and
Biodiversity Report No. 27. 49 p.
Rowe, D.; Smith, J.; Grayling, S. (2008). Koaro in the Rotorua lakes need a helping hand. Water &
Rupp, D.E.; Schmidt, J.; Woods, R.A.; McKerchar, A.I. (2008). "Modelling spatio-temporal variability of
streamflows in an intermittent alluvial plain river." Presented at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna,
Austria, April 2008.
Rutherford, K. (2008). "Can we prevent nutrients causing water quality problems?" Presented at the
Rotorua Lakes 2008 Symposium: Nutrient sensitive zones - Nitrogen and phosphorus, lakes and
waterways, Rotorua, August 2008.
Rutherford, K. (2008). Nutrient load targets for Lake Rotorua - a revisit. Environment Bay of Plenty
Technical Report. Environment Bay of Plenty, Tauranga. 19 p.
Ryan, T.E.; Kloser, R.J.; Macaulay, G.J. (2008). "Visually verified in situ target strength measurements of
fish using an acoustic-optical system attached to a trawl net." Presented at the Symposium on the
Ecosystem Approach with Fisheries Acoustics and Complementary Technologies, Bergen, Norway,
June 2008.
Sabaa, A.T.; Hayward, B.W.; Grenfell, H.R.; Neil, H.L. (2008). "Mapping New Zealand’s deep-sea: the
foram way." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Safi, K. (2008). "Antarctic pond life during the extended season: the phytoplankton and bacterial story."
November 2008.
Safi, K.; Thompson, K. (2008). "NIWA blue-green algae monitoring service." Presented at the Asian
Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, November 2008.
Sagar, P.; Thompson, D. (2008). Data collection of demographic, distributional, and trophic information
on selected petrels. New Zealand aquatic environment and biodiversity report No. 17. 12 p.
Schmidt, J.; Elliott, S.; McKergow, L. (2008). "Land-use impacts on catchment erosion for the Waitetuna
catchment, New Zealand." Presented at the International Symposium: Sediment Dynamics in Changing
Environments, Christchurch, December 2008.
330
Schnabel, K. (2008). "Of squatters, hermits and kings; revisiting phylogenetic relationships within the
crustacean group Anomura." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
July 2008.
Sikes, E.L.; Uhle, M.E.; Nodder, S.D. (2008). "Source, degradation, and fate of sedimentary organic
matter in a coastal marine environment: evidence from the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand." Presented at
the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Simon, C.J. (2008). "Carbo-load or protein shake? The role of carbohydrates in spiny lobster diets."
Simpson, J.; Pilditch, C.; Lohrer, A. (2008). "Effects of heavy metal contamination on bivalve
bioturbation: implications for sediment transport." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences
Ecosystems, Christchurch, New Zealand, July 2008.
Sissons, C.H.; Wong, L.; Leys, E.J.; Griffen, A.L.; van Bekkum, M.; Anderson, S.A. (2008). "Dental
disease-specific plaque microcosm biofilms in vitro." Presented at the Annual Conference of the New
Zealand Microbiological Society, Germs and Genomes in the Garden City, Christchurch, November
2008.
Smart, G.M. (2008). "Pressure fluctuations and entrainment on a gravel river bed." Presented at the
River Flow 2008 Conference, Cesme, Turkey, September 2008
Smart, G.M.; McKerchar, A.I. (2008). "Why more flood disasters are occurring: New Zealand examples
and solutions." Presented at the Korean Water Resources Association Conference, Gyeongju, South
Korea,
Smith, A. (2008). "Modelling distributions of seventy-two species of fish on rocky reefs using boosted
regression trees." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
2008.
Smith, B.J.; Parkyn, S.P. (2008). "Stream restoration and dispersal constraints for freshwater
invertebrates." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Annual Conference, New
Smith, C.R.; Gaines, S.; Friedlander, A.; Morgan, C.; Thurnherr, A.; Mincks, S.; Watling, L.; Rogers, A.;
Clark, M.; Baco-Taylor, A.; Bernadino, A.; De Leo, F.; Ditrieux, P.; Rieser, A.; Kittinger, J.; PadillaGamino, J. (2008 ). Preservation reference areas for nodule mining in the Clation-Clipperton Zone:
rationale and recommendations to the International Seabed Authority. Report to the International Seabed
Authority from the 2007 PEW workshop on Design of Marine Protected Areas for seamounts and the abyssal
nodule province in Pacific High Seas, Honolulu, October 2007 No. 12 p.
Smith, K.; Acosta, H.; Nelson, W.; Rhodes, L. (2008). "Molecular identification of non-indigenous
seaweeds from the aquarium trade." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington,
November 2008.
331
Smith, M.H.; Baird, S.J. (2008). Observer coverage required for the prediction of incidental capture of
New Zealand fur seals in New Zealand commercial fisheries. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and
Biodiversity Report No. 26. 75 p.
Smith, M.H.; Baird, S.J. (2008). Observer coverage required for the prediction of incidental capture of
seabirds in New Zealand commercial fisheries. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report
No. 25. 107 p.
Smith, M.H.; Hart, A.C.; McMillan, P.J.; Macaulay, G. (2008). Acoustic estimates of orange roughy
abundance from the northwest Chatham Rise, June-July 2005: results from the wide-area and hill
surveys. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/13. 42 p.
Smith, M.J.; Law, C.; Ho, D.; Stevens, C.; Popinet, S. (2008). "Open ocean gas exchange parameterization
uncertainties." Presented at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April 2008.
Smith, P.J.; Hartill, B.; Hamer, P.; McKenzie, A. (2008). Stock structure of kahawai, Arripis trutta. New
Smith, P.J.; Steinke, d.; McMillan, P.; McVeagh, S.M.; Struthers, C.D. (2008). DNA database for
commercial marine fish. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 22. 62 p.
Sorrell, B.K. (2008). "International Polar Year: from the heat of the summer to life in the cold and dark."
Presented at the Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International Polar Year and the
Next Generation, Dunedin, July 2008.
Srinivasan, M.S.; Schmidt, J. (2008). Waterwise: irrigation, agriculture, and sustainability. Water &
Stenton-Dozey, J.M.E. (2008). "Can integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) increase the
productivity of marine farms in New Zealand?" Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences
Ecosystems, Christchurch, July 2008.
Stephens, S.; Coco, G.; Bryan, K. (2008). "Sources of variability in wave setup." Presented at the New
Stephens, S.A. (2008). "Hydrodynamic and tracer dispersal simulations in Lake Rotoiti, North Island,
New Zealand, using MIKE3." Presented at the Asia-Pacific DHI Software Conference, Auckland, March
2008.
Stevens, C. (2008). "Dietary adaptations of Symphurus n. sp. flatfish at shallow hydrothermal vents in
the western Pacific Ocean." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
July 2008.
Stevens, C. (2008). "Everything if turbulent, stratified and wavy." Presented at the Joint New Zealand
332
Stevens, C. (2008). "Marine energy environmental impacts." Presented at the Aotearoa Wave and Tidal
Energy Association Annual Conference, Wellington, May 2008.
Stevens, C.; Robinson, N.; Williams, M.; Haskell, T. (2008). "Ground-truthing ocean eddy diffusivities in
McMurdo Sound." Presented at the Antarctica New Zealand Annual Antarctic Conference International
Polar Year and the Next Generation, Dunedin, July 2008.
Stevens, C.L.; Taylor, D.I.; Delaux, S.; Schiel, D.R. (2008). "The dynamics of wave-influenced macroalgal
propalgule settlement." Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Stevens, D.; O'Driscoll, R.L.; Gauthier, S. (2008). Trawl survey of hoki and middle depth species on the
Chatham Rise, January 2007 (TAN0701). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/52. 81 p.
Stevens, D.R.; Symonds, J.E.; Walker, S.P.; Rickman, R.C.; Anderson, R.M.; McEwan, K.M.; Fisher, P.J.;
King, N.G. (2008). "Developing genomic resources for new and emerging aquaculture species in New
Zealand." Presented at the Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference, Christchurch, October 2008.
Storey, R.G.; Wadhwa, S.; Neale, M. (2008). "Mapping aqua incognita in the Auckland region."
November 2008.
Stott, R.; Davies-Colley, R.J.; Nagels, J.W.; Packman, A. (2008). "Uptake of faecal microbes and turbidity
in gravel streambeds and release during storm flows." Presented at the Annual Conference of the New
Zealand Microbiological Society, Germs and Genomes in the Garden City, Christchurch, November
2008.
Stott, R.; Winstanley, A.; Lange, M.; Tanner, C.C.; Dakers, A.; Headley, T.; Aalbersberg, W.; Bonito, V.;
Fong, P.; Jeke, V.; Tamata, B. (2008). "The WaiVotua Project – Linking water and health in Votua:
Raising awareness to support sustainable water supply and waste treatment systems for a coastal Fijian
village." Presented at the Pacific Water Conference '08, Apia, Samoa, September 2008.
Stubbins, A.; Mopper, K.; Hubbard, V.; Uher, G.; Upstill-Goddard, R.G.; Law, C.S.; Aiken, G. (2008).
"Relating carbon monoxide photoproduction to organic matter functionality." Presented at the AGU
Ocean Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Florida, March 2008.
Swales, A. (2008). "Recent tidal-flat evolution and mangrove-habitat expansion: application of
radioisotope dating to environmental reconstruction." Presented at the International Symposium:
Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments, Christchurch, December 2008.
Swales, A.; Hume, T.; Gorman, R. (2008). "Why cubic iron-sand particles are rare." Presented at the New
Symonds, J.E. (2008). Good breeding shows itself: improving aquaculture production through selective
breeding. Seafood New Zealand 16(1): 28–29.
Symonds, J.E.; Bruce. M.; Lee, P.; Moss, G.A.; Heath, P.; Walker, S.P.; Pether, S.; Gublin, Y. (2008).
"Aquaculture broodstock development in kingfish, groper and abalone in New Zealand." Presented at
the Aquaculture Canada, Saint John, New Brunswick, May 2008.
333
Symonds, J.E.; Heath, P. (2008). Getting picky with paua: selective breeding to improve productivity.
Symonds, J.E.; Walker, S.P.; Rickman, R.C.; McLaren, R.; Anderson, R.; McEwan, K.M.; Fisher, P.J.
(2008). "Developing genomic resources for new and emerging aquaculture species in New Zealand."
Presented at the ISAG International Society for Animal Genetics, Amsterdam, July 2008.
Tanner, C.C. (2008). Measuring, modelling and managing water. National Center for Water Resources
Update 26.
Tanner, C.C.; Dakers, A.; Headley, T.; Aalbersberg, W.; Winstanley, A.; Stott, R.; Lange, M.; Bonito, V.;
Fong, P.; Jeke, V.; Tamata, B. (2008). "The WaiVotua Project –sustainable water supply and waste
treatment systems for a coastal Fijian village." Presented at the Pacific Water Conference '08, Apia,
Samoa, September 2008.
Taylor, D.; Stevens, C.; Delaux, S.; Schiel, D. (2008). "Physical properties determining dispersal of fucoid
algae in a turbulent environment." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society &
Taylor, D.; Stevens, C.; Nokes, R.; Schiel, D. (2008). "Environmental gradients and survival of fucoid
zygotes: can they withstand a changing world?" Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum,
Wellington, November 2008.
Taylor, P.R. (2008). Factors affecting fish size and landed volumes in the purse-seine and TCEPR
charter-boat fisheries in 2004–05 and 2005–06. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/32. 16 p.
Taylor, P.R.; Julian, K.A. (2008). Species composition and seasonal variability in commercial catches of
jack mackerel (Trachurus declivis, T. Murphyi, and T. novaezelandiae) in JMA 1, 3, and 7 during 2004–05.
New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/25. 23 p.
Taylor, P.R.; Julian, K.A.; McKenzie, A. (2008). A descriptive anaysis of the jack mackerel fishery to
Thompson, D.R.; Phillips, R.A.; Sagar, P.M.; Bearhop, S.; Votier, S.; Taylor, G.A.; Torres, L.G. (2008).
"Light-based geolocation archival tags reveal at-sea distribution of white-capped albatross breeding in
New Zealand." Presented at the International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town, South
Africa, August 2008.
Torres, L. (2008). "Characterization of white-capped albatross habitat use relative to fishing effort and
environmental variability." Presented at the International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town,
South Africa, August 2008.
Torres, L. (2008). "Habitat use patterns of breeding white-capped albatrosses relative to environmental
variability and fishing effort." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian
July 2008.
Torres, L.G.; Thompson, D.R.; Bearhop, S.; Votier, S.; Taylor, G.A.; Sagar, P.M. (2008). "Characterization
of white-capped albatross habitat use relative to fishing effort and environmental variability."
Presented at the International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, August 2008.
334
Townsend, M.; Lohrer, A.; John, A.; Chiaroni, L.; Miller, M. (2008). "Changes in benthis community
structure in the Waitemata Harbour: the impact of invasive species." Presented at the Joint New
Tracey, D. (2008). "Deepsea corals: what do we need to know for management purposes." Presented at
Tracey, D.; Mackay, E.; D., G.; Sanchez, J.; Opresko, D.; Rowe, S. (2008). Coral identification guide.
Department of Conservation, Wellington. 16 p.
Tracey, D.; Stevens, C.; Rowden, A.; Clark, M.P. (2008). "Biological communities associated with areas
of hydrothermal venting on the Tonga - Kermadec Arc." Presented at the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy AusIMM Wellington, September 2008.
Triantafillos, L.; Maxwell, K. (2008). Surf clam research: coming soon to a beach near you! Water &
Tshudy, D.; Ahyong, S.T.; Chan, T.Y.; Sorhannus, U. (2008). "An expanded, morphology-based ,
cladistic analysis of the clawed lobsters." Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative
and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, Texas, January 2008.
Uddstrom, M.J.; Sutton , P. (2008). NIWA Ocean climate summary. Seafood New Zealand 16(2): 45.
Unwin, M.J. (2008). The Patagonian connection. Fish & Game New Zealand 61: 64–66, 68–71.
van Maanen, B.; de Ruiter, P.J.; Coco, G.; Bryan, K.R.; Ruessink, B.G. (2008). "Onshore sandbar
migration at Tairua Beach (New Zealand): numerical simulations and field measurements." Presented
at the International Conference on Coastal Engineering, Hamburg, Germany, August 2008.
Vopel, K. (2008). "Redox transition of disturbed surface sediment: the role of disturbance depth and
seawater flow." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Australian Marine
2008.
Wallace, L.M.; Pondard, N.; Barnes, P.; Beavan, J.; Van Dissen, R.; Litchfield, N.; Lamarche, G.; Little, T.
(2008). "Kinematic model of the transition from subduction to strike-slip using GPS and active fault
data." Presented at the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Walsh, C.; Davies, N.M.; Buckthought, D. (2008). Length and age composition of commercial snapper
landings in SNA 8, 2006–07. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2009/3. 19 p.
Walsh, C.; Davies, N.M.; Buckthought, D.; Rush, N.; Vaughan, M.; Spong, K.; Smith, M. (2008). Age
composition of commercial snapper landings in SNA 1, 2006–07. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report
No. 2008/54. 38 p.
Walsh, C.; McKenzie, J.R. (2008). "Spatial and temporal movement patterns of tagged snapper (Pagrus
auratus, Sparidae) from New Zealand’s West Coast stock (SNA 8)." Presented at the Advances in Fish
Tagging and Marking Technology Symposium, Auckland, February 2008.
335
Walsh, J.P.; Sumners, B.W.; Alexander, C.A.; Orpin, A.R.; Gerber, T. (2008). "Sedimentation and
morphology of the outer shelf and slope of the Waipaoa River margin: an integration of geophysical
and radiochemical data." Presented at the AGU Ocean Sciences Orlando, Florida, May 2008.
Wech, J.; Suren, A.M. (2008). "Sensitivity of chironomid midges from Christchurch wastewater
treatment ponds to the pesticide malathion." Presented at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society
Annual Conference, New Plymouth, November 2008.
Weller, D.; Wood, S. (2008). "Detection and identification of cyanobacteria species and their toxigenicity
in the Rotorua lakes using PCF-based methods." Presented at the Asian Pacific Phycological Forum,
Wellington, November 2008.
Whiles, M.; PVerburg, P.; Dodds, W.K.; Hall, R.O.; Huryn, A.D.; Kilham, S.S.; Lips, K.R.; Pringle, C.M.;
Connelly, S. (2008). "Effects of amphibian population declines on the structure and function of
neotropical streams." Presented at the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Annual
Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, July 2008
Whiles, M.R.; Verburg, P.; Dodds, W.K.; Hall, R.O.; Huryn, A.D.; Kilham, S.S.; Lips, K.R.; Pringle, C.M.;
Connelly, S.; Griffith, E.; Ross, H. (2008). "Use of a 15N tracer addition to assess the ecosystem-level
significance of amphibians and their extirpations in neotropical headwater streams." Presented at the
North American Benthological Society annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2008.
Williams, J.R. (2008). Biomass surveys and stock assessments for the Coromandel and Northland
scallop fisheries, 2007. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No. 2008/35. 41 p.
Williams, J.R.; Smith, M.D.; Mackay, G. (2008). Biomass survey and stock assessment of cockles
(Austrovenus stuchburyi) on Snake Bank, Whangarei Harbour, 2007. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/3. 22 p.
Williams, J.R.; Smith, M.D.; Mackay, G. (2008). Biomass survey and stock assessment of cockles
(Austrovenus stutchburyi) on Snake Bank, Whangarei Harbour, 2008. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment
Report No. 2008/43. 22 p.
Williams, J.R.; Tuck, I.D.; Carbines, G.D. (2008). Abundance of scallops (Pecten novaezelandiae) in
Northland and Coromandel recreational fishing areas, 2006. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report No.
2008/34. 23 p.
Williams, M. (2008). Taking the measure of Antarctic sea ice. Water & Atmosphere 16(4): 5.
Willis, K. (2008). "Climate change and zooplankton in the Arctic: studies in an ocean laboratory."
Willis, K. (2008). "Tracing the global spread of Caprella mutica using mitochondrial DNA." Presented at
Wilson, S.; Zeldis, J.R. (2008). Warm front: the effect of La Niña on mussel farming. Seafood New Zealand
16(6): 18–19
336
Woelz, S.; Lamarche, G.; Wilcox, S.; Castellazzi, C. (2008). "Preliminary results from a digital
multichannel seismic reflection survey in the outer Bay of Plenty and Raukumara basin." Presented at
the Geosciences'08, Wellington, November 2008.
Wood, B.A. (2008). Presentations at the International Symposium on GIS/Spatial Analyses in Fishery
and Aquatic Science, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, August 2008:
"GIS systems."
"NICAMS: a spatially enabled image analysis tool for photographic transect surveys."
"A robust, low cost, spatially enabled, semi-automatic fishery survey data capture system and GIS."
"The role of standards based applications in enabling enterprise wide fishery and environmental data
management and access."
"A spatial and temporal analysis of New Zealand's bottom trawl and dredge data."
Wood, S.W. (2008). "Report of error sub-group action items." NDACC Infrared Working Group
Meeting, Pasadena, California, USA, 12-14 May, 2008.
Woods, C.; Genwick, G.; Willis, K. (2008). Marine biodiversity and biosecurity: alien amphipod:
hitchhiker of the sea. Water & Atmosphere 16(3): 24–25.
Woods, R.A. (2008). "Evaluation of a simple similarity index method for estimating global runoff."
Presented at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April 2008.
Woods, R.A.; Henderson, R.D.; Schmidt, J. (2008). "Estimating low flow statistics in ungauged basins of
New Zealand using a mechanistic approach." Presented at the EGU General Assembly, Vienna, April
2008.
Wright-Stow, A.E.; Scarsbrook, M.; van Houte-Howes, K. (2008). "Determining the relative influence of
landuse and water source on cave and spring ecosystems." Presented at the North American
Benthological Society Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 2008.
Zeldis, J.R. (2008). "ENSO and riverine control of nutrient loading, phytoplankton biomass and mussel
aquaculture yield in Pelorus Sound, New Zealand." Presented at the Joint New Zealand Marine
Zeldis, J.R.; Gillibrand, P.; Smith, R. (2008). Meeting the challenges of coastal regional management
through environmental monitoring. Coastal News 38: 6–7.
337
Alexander, D.J. Hart, D.E. Marsden, I.D. (2008) Evaluation and development of techniques to map
macroalgae in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai. Estuarine Research Report 35. 82pp.
Axelsson, M, Sandblom, E. and Davison, W. (2008) Effects of feeding and temperature on
gastrointestinal blood flow in the Antarctic fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki: different or just another
teleost? SEB symposium Marseille, July 2008
Davison, W. Hypoxia tolerance in Antarctic fish. (2008) Australian and New Zealand Society for
Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Silver Jubilee meeting, Sydney, December 2008.
Hart, D.E. Marsden, I.D, Todd, D.J. de Vries W. (2008) Mapping of the bathymetry, soft sediments and
biota of the seabed of upper Lyttelton harbour. Estuarine Research Report 36pp. + maps.
Hickford MJH & Schiel DR (2008) ‘til the cows come home: restoration of spawning habitat of
diadromous fishes. Poster presented at the Wai Wetlands Symposium.
Hickford MJH, Cagnon M and Schiel DR (2008). Of mice and men: restoration of spawning habitat of
inanga, Galaxias maculatus. Oral presentation at the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and
Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference.
Hickford MJH, Cagnon M and Schiel DR (2008). Of mice and men: restoration of spawning habitat of
inanga, Galaxias maculatus. Oral presentation at the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Conference.
Hurley T.D and Schiel DR (2008) Interactions between coralline turfs and sediments affecting
macroalgal community structure. Oral presentation at the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and
Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference.
Marsden, I.D. (2008) The effects of nuisance macroalgae on estuarine benthos. New Zealand Marine Sciences
Meeting, Christchurch July 2008.
Marsden, I.D. (2008) How nuisance macroalgae affect shallow burrowing bivalves. 100th Annual National
Shellfish Association/Benthic Ecology Meeting, Providence, Rhode Island April 2008.
Schiel DR (2008). Recovery and resilience along intertidal gradients: Making wrong predictions for the
right reasons. Invited Speaker, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
Schiel DR (2008). Recovery and resilience along intertidal gradients. Invited Plenary Address at the
New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference.
Schiel DR (2008). Connecting the dots: early life stages of large brown seaweeds in dynamic coastal
environments. Invited Plenary Address: Vth Asian-Pacific Phycological Forum.
Schiel DR (2008). Recovery and resilience along intertidal gradients: Making wrong predictions for the
right reasons. University of Chicago Address
Schiel DR (2008). A brief journey through Southern Hemisphere Marine Ecosystems. Invited Speaker,
Riverside-Brookfield High School Students, Chicago.
338
South PM & Schiel DR (2008). An invasion of Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyta: Laminariales) in the lowintertidal zone: quantifying the impacts of an uninvited guest. Oral presentation at the Vth Asian
Pacific Phycological Forum.
South PM and Schiel DR (2008). What do settlement collectors measure? An assessment of the collector
of choice: the popular pot-scrubber, Tuffy™. Oral presentation at the New Zealand Marine Sciences
Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference.
Tait LW and Schiel DR (2008). Shining a light on diversity-ecosystem function: The role of canopy
structure and light intensity in algal communities. Oral presentation at the Vth Asian Pacific
Phycological Forum.
Tait LW and Schiel DR (2008). Productivity & Diversity in natural assemblages: Effects of non-random
removal of species. Oral presentation at the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian
Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference.
Hart DE. (2009) The maintenance of reef islands. Proc. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida, 7-11 July 2008, 5p, in press.
Hart DE, Marsden ID, Todd DJ, de Vries WJ. 2008b. Mapping of the bathymetry, soft sediments, and
biota of the seabed of Upper Lyttelton Harbour. Estuarine Research Report 36 / ECan Report
08/35, 58p + map/data CD.
Alexander DJ, Hart DE, Marsden ID. 2008. Evaluation and Development of Techniques to Map
Macroalgae in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai. Estuarine Research Report 35. AvonHeathcote Estuary Trust, Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury, 84p.
Hart DE. 2008. Review: The geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef: development, diversity and
change. New Zealand Geographer 64: 169-176.
339
Aguayo, A., Bedriana-Romano, L., Dawson, S., ..., Slooten, L., et al. (2008). Information for 6.9, consideration of
status of Chilean dolphins in Chile with implications for other small cetaceans (SC60/SM/WP). International
Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. IWC.
Barlow, J., Rankin, S., & Dawson, S. (2008). A guide to construction hydrophones and hydrophone arrays for
monitoring marine mammal vocalizations. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department
of Commerce. NOAA.
http://swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedFiles/Divisions/PRD/Programs/Coastal_Marine_Mammal/Barlow%20et%20a
l%202008%20HydrophoneConstruction_TM-417.pdf
Dawson, S., & Slooten, E. (2008). A platform-of-opportunity survey for cetaceans, especially Chilean dolphins,
Cephalorhynchus eutropia, in the Chilean fiords (SC60/SM11). International Whaling Commission Scientific
Committee. IWC. (pp. 1-12).
Slooten, E., & Dawson, S. (2008). Effectiveness of new protection measures for Hector's dolphin (SC/60/SM12).
International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee. IWC. (pp. 1-19).
Smith, A. M. (2008). Corrections to the global distribution of Hornera pectinata (Bryozoa: Horneridae). In S. J.
Hageman, M. M. Key Jr, & J. E. Winston (Eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Bryozoology Association
Conference (Special publication No. 15), (pp. 295-300). Martinsville, VA: Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Dempsey D. and P.J. Langhorne (2008) 3-D simulations of sea-ice growth in the presence of platelet ice.
Presented at International Polar Year and the Next Generation: 2008 Antarctica New Zealand Conference,
University of Otago, 30 June – 2 July, 2008.
Williams M. and members of K131 (2008) Sea-ice in an IPY winter: in-situ measurements of sea ice
growth and ice-ocean interaction. Poster presented at International Polar Year and the Next Generation:
2008 Antarctica New Zealand Conference, University of Otago, 30 June – 2 July, 2008.
“Researchers on thin ice”, Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Statement of Investment
Outcomes 2007-2008, article and cover photographs.
http://www.frst.govt.nz/files/FRST%20SIO%2007-08.2%20Web.pdf
340
Logan, D., LaFlamme, A.C., Weis, V.M. & Davy, S.K. (2008) Variability in cell surface glycan profiles
across a range of Symbiodinium dinoflagellate types. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida, USA. (July 5-11)
Williams, G.J., Work, T.M., Aeby, G.S. & Davy, S.K. (2008) Coral disease at Palmyra Atoll: patterns of
spatial distribution. Oral presentation. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,
USA. (July 5-11)
Williams, G.J., Aeby, G.S. & Davy, S.K. (2008) Coral disease at Palmyra Atoll: patterns of spatial
distribution. AAAS Pacific Division 89th Annual Meeting, Waimea, Hawaii. (June 15-20)
Morar, S., Bury, S. & Davy, S.K. (2008) The influence of habitat on nitrogen acquisition and status in a
temperate cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida, USA. (July 5-11)
Palka, M. & Davy, S.K. (2008) Stress resistance in an extreme environment: lessons learny from a
temperate symbiotic sea anemone. 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
Poster presentation. (July 5-11)
Wicks, L., Sampayo, E., Gardner, J.P.A., Hoegh-Guldberg-O. & Davy, S.K. (2008) High Symbiodinium
diversity at high-latitude reef sites – a means of survival in the face of climate change? 11th International
Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Poster presentation. (July 5-11)
Wicks, L., Sampayo, E., Gardner, J.P.A., Hoegh-Guldberg, O. & Davy, S.K. (2008) High Symbiodinium
diversity at high-latitude reef sites – a means of survival in the face of climate change? New Zealand
Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference, Christchurch, New
Zealand. (Winner: IMAREST Best Student Presentation). (July)
Martin, A. Ryan K.G., Liggins, E.J., McNaughtan, D.F. & Davy, S.K. (2008) In situ response of sea ice
microbes to habitat variability: insight into global warming or just another 'flippin ice core'? SCAR/IASC
IPY Open Science Conference “Polar Research – Arctic and Antarctic perspectives in International Polar Year”.
Ryan, K.G., Liggins, E., McNaughtan, D., Martin, A.R., Tay, M. & Davy, S.K. (2008) Imaging PAM
visualisation of sea ice algae and their response to environmental change. SCAR/IASC IPY Open Science
Conference “Polar Research – Arctic and Antarctic perspectives in International Polar Year”. Poster
presentation.
Koh, E.Y., Simpson, A., Martin, A.R., O’Toole, R., Davy, S.K. & Ryan, K.G. (2008) Antarctic sea ice
microbial ecology. Polar & Alpine Microbiology Conference. Banff, Canada. Poster presentation.
Lawrence S, O'Toole R, Taylor, M. & Davy S.K. (2008) Molecular characterisation of the sub-cuticular
bacteria of New Zealand echinoderms. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine
Sciences Association Joint Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand. (July)
Perea-Blazquez, A., Davy, S.K., Bell J.J. (2008) Interactions of sponges with the water column in New
Zealand. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference,
Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster presentation. (July)
341
Berman, J., Davy S.K., Bell, J.J. (2008) Sponges of the Wellington South Coast. New Zealand Marine
Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Poster presentation. (Winner: Best Poster). (July)
Murray, H.J.R., Davy, S.K., and Bell, J.J. Effects of environmental variability on sponge respiration
rates. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference,
Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster presentation. (July)
Bryant, L., Maas, E., Davy, S.K., Koh, E., Rajanahally, M., Martin, A. & Ryan, K. (2008) Biodiversity and
diet of pelagic amphipods of the Ross Sea. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine
Sciences Association Joint Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster presentation. (July)
Cowie, R., Liggins, L., McNaughtan, D., Martin, A., Davy, S.K., Ryan, K. (2008) The effect of irradiance
on Antarctic fast-ice microalgal communities. Annual Antarctic Conference, Dunedin.
Koh, E., Davy, S.K., Rajanahally, M., Bryant, L., Martin, A. & Ryan, K. (2008) Antarctic sea ice and
pelagic microbial communities: latitudinal influences on biodiversity and productivity. New Zealand
Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference , Christchurch, New
Zealand.
Rajanahally, M., Bryant, L., Koh, E., Davy, S.K., Martin, A. & Ryan, K. (2008) Antarctic microalgae:
physiological responses to environmental change. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian
Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference. Poster presentation. (July)
Rajanahally, M., Bryant, L., Koh, E., Davy, S.K., Martin, A. & Ryan, K. (2008) Antarctic microalgae:
physiological responses to environmental change. Antarctica New Zealand Conference, Dunedin, New
Zealand. Poster presentation.
Miller, S.; Shima, J., and Phillips, N. E. Staying close to home: the contribution of life-history
characteristics to greater size of goatfish (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus) within the Ra'ui of Rarotonga,
Cook Islands. New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Annual conference, Christchurch, NZ, July 2008.
McLeod, L.; Phillips N. E., and McDiarmid, A. Variability in larval behaviour at different stages of
development for species of lobster, abalone and urchin from New Zealand. 8th International Larval
Biology Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal; July 2008.
Phillips N. E. , van der Sman, J., Pfister, C. and Aguirre-Davies, J. D. Reproductive trade-offs and carryover effects in response to adult food availability in whelks. 8th International Larval Biology
Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal; July 2008.
Morelissen, B. and Phillips, N. Ecological effects of two introduced macroalgae on native rocky
intertidal communities in New Zealand and the role of nutrient enrichment on their success. Asian
Pacific Phycological Forum, Wellington, NZ Nov. 2008
Bolker, B., C.W. Osenberg, and J.S. Shima. 2008. A Markov chain Monte Carlo technique to analyze the
growth, recruitment, and survivorship of unmarked individuals. Annual Meeting of the Ecological
Society of America, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Shima, J.S. and S.E. Swearer. 2008. Larval quality is a function of dispersal history and not source
populations: implications for connectivity in a marine metapopulation. 8th International Larval
Biology Symposium, Lisbon, Portugal.
342
Smith, A, J. Shima and R. Cole. 2008. Larval settlement and “carry-over effects” vary with macroalgal
habitat composition

Number 50: 2008 - New Zealand Marine Sciences Society

Transcription

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