Oceans

Find out about the role of toothfish in the ecosystem and the potential effects of fishing.

The sounds made by whales and dolphins as they pass through New Zealand’s Cook Strait are to be recorded for the first time through a research project being undertaken by a NIWA scientist.

Like other members of the family Asteriidae, Allostichaster is fissiparous.

As we have mentioned many times, new species can be found literally at our door step. But who has found a new species in their pantry?

NIWA researchers have spent part of the last month keeping a close eye on the bottom of Lake Tekapo to find out what it looks like and what is going on below the lake bed.

The main breeding population of NZ sea lions at the Auckland Islands has declined by approximately 50% since the late 1990s.

A NIWA-led project to tackle coastal acidification in New Zealand.

We don’t clearly understand the ecological effects of commerical toothfish fishing in the Ross Sea region. To improve our knowledge, we conducted a survey of demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish species on the Ross Sea slope - particularly grenadiers and icefish - during the 2015 Antarctic Ecosystems Voyage.

The yellow octopus is large and clearly abundant, with about one million being eaten a year by sea lions in the Auckland Islands alone

One of the ocean’s most elusive critters is about to meet its match as NIWA scientists voyage south hoping to film them in action – and bring a few samples home.

New Zealand’s answer to ocean acidification is a model of the ‘best team’ approach – when organisations pool talent and resources to find solutions to national, or global, issues.]

Everyone knows they’re out there, but how well do you know your sharks? NIWA looks at four of the most common sharks you’re likely to spot this summer.