NIWA’s new research vessel, Kaharoa II, will be conducting ten days of sea trials out from Nelson, starting next week.
A team of fisheries scientists will be working around outer Tasman Bay in water depths from 10 to 400 metres between 16 January and 25 January.
Scientists onboard will be testing the vessel and equipment in order to take up the duties of its predecessor, the 43-year old Kaharoa, this year.
NIWA Chief Scientist - Fisheries Dr Richard O'Driscoll says the trials will ensure the vessel is tested and ready for its vital role in fisheries this year. “Kaharoa II is a key tool in assessing New Zealand’s inshore fish stocks for Fisheries New Zealand,” he said. “For the majority of the trials, we will be towing open nets which allow fish to escape, and we have a research permit from Fisheries New Zealand to take a limited catch to test the fish sampling and laboratory.
“We are excited to test the new vessel, but we want to assure people what we are doing out there. The exact location may vary slightly due to weather, but If you spot the vessel, it’s not a commercial fishing boat - we are collecting data to help inform management of fish stocks for all New Zealanders.”
The Kaharoa II is equipped with some new fisheries kit, including new custom-built trawls manufactured by Motueka Nets in Nelson. The new trawls are designed to replicate the old Kaharoa trawls, but to be more efficient as they are made from more modern materials.
It will make a port call in Nelson, which will give locals a chance to get a glimpse of the latest addition to the NIWA research fleet.
Dr O'Driscoll says Kaharoa II will transform NIWA’s work, “It’s a next generation research vessel that will allow us to do more great science,” he said. “We’ll be able to do more with the increased capability, including the new fibre-optic camera cable, dynamic positioning, and multi-frequency acoustic sounder equipment. It will be able to go further for longer, from inshore studies to the deep oceans.”
