Fisheries key contacts

Richard specialises in research aimed at improving estimates of fish abundance using acoustics, trawling, and complementary technologies. Since attaining his PhD from University of Otago in 1997, he has had extensive sea-going and practical fisheries experience both in New Zealand and overseas, including the Antarctic. Richard is the current chair (2017-19) of the ICES Working Group on Fisheries Acoustics Science and Technology. He has worked at NIWA since 2000 and is currently a programme leader for NIWA's National Centre for Fisheries Assessing Fishery Resources programme. 

Malcolm began his research career in the 1980s as a fisheries biologist. He worked extensively on stock assessment of deepwater fish (in particular orange roughy), before broadening his research interests to more general deep-sea ecosystems. He studied seamounts for many years, and headed the Census of Marine Life on Seamounts, a major 6 year international research programme. His studies have involved a lot of time at sea; with over 70 surveys, including submersible dives, and international work in the Antarctic and southwest Pacific. Currently he leads NIWA research projects describing the biodiversity of deep-sea habitats, assessing ecological risk to these habitats and communities from fishing and mining activities, and ways to improve the management of environmental impacts. Malcolm gained his PhD from Victoria University of Wellington in 1982, and since then has specialised in the biology and ecology of deepwater fish and fisheries, particularly orange roughy. He has extensive seagoing experience with over 70 voyages. Recently he has worked largely on international fisheries and helped develop the FAO guidelines on deep-sea fishing in the high seas. Malcolm currently heads NIWA research programmes on deep sea communities, impacts from fishing and mining, and developing risk assessment methods for New Zealand deepwater fisheries. 

Matt has a Ph.D. in fisheries stock assessment from the University of Portsmouth (UK), and has worked in New Zealand since 2003. Matt has worked primarily on the biology and stock assessment of deep water fishes, from field work and biological studies, through to Bayesian stock assessment modelling. Matt has also worked on inshore fisheries, impacts of climate on fisheries, chondrichthyan biology, and food webs and ecosystem models. Matt is a member of various NZ Ministry for Primary Industries working groups, has conducted scientific research and reviews for agencies in Australia, Europe, South America, and the USA, and is currently a programme leader for the NIWA National Centre for Fisheries Assessing Fishery Resources programme.