Keith Michael

Position:

Fisheries Scientist

Phone:

+64-4-386-0586

Location:

Wellington

Science Centres:

Fisheries

Qualifications:

2019 PhD Victoria Univesity of Wellington

2005–2008 Masters papers (Victoria University of Wellington ): Marine biology, Evolution, and Ecology

1987 Certificate in Statistics: Central Institute of Technology, Wellington

1979 New Zealand Certificate in Science: Central Institute of Technology, Wellington

Biography:

I have over 40 years of experience in fisheries science and surveys of shellfish and fish. I have led research projects on the biology, ecology, and fisheries for estuarine and coastal shellfish and fish including oysters, scallops, cockles, surf clams, queen scallops, deepwater crabs, geoducs and blue cod. I have participated in fish surveys in the UAE and American Samoa. My research is a mixture of pure and applied research that includes projects on the oyster diseases Bonamia exitiosa, B. ostreae surveillance, the development of new commercial shellfish fisheries, new fishing technologies and practices, and the effects of fishing on fisheries and ecosystems.

My current research interests include working towards a better understanding of how the interactions of climatic and biological factors, and co-infections by shellfish pathogens drive population dynamics, especially recruitment and mortality in shellfish.

I have a track record of bringing together stakeholders, effective stakeholder engagement and communication of research, development of strategic research plans, undertaking collaborative and wide-ranging research with iwi partners, industry and other organisations such as Fisheries New Zealand.

I sit on the Foveaux Strait Oyster Management Committee, the Fisheries New Zealand Shellfish Working Group, and collaborate closely with colleagues at Biosecurity NZ at the Ministry for Primary Industries. I also work with the Wellington Regional Council, Porirua City Council, with Maori fisheries groups, e.g., recently with Kapua Marine Farms and Rangitaane Iwi Surf Clam Collective.

Articles:

Michael, K.P. (2018) Distributions of settlers suggest greater dispersal and mixing of Ostrea chilensis larvae in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research: 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2018.1545677

Michael KP, Shima JS (2018) Four-year decline in Ostrea chilensis recruits per spawner in Foveaux Strait, New Zealand, suggests a diminishing stock-recruitment relationship. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 600:85-98. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12641

Fu, D., Dunn, A., Michael, K.P., Hills, J. (2016) The development and performance of a length-based stock assessment of Foveaux Strait oysters (Ostrea chilensis, OYU 5) in southern New Zealand, and application to management. Fisheries Research. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2016.05.003

Brown, S.N., Handley, S., Michael, K., Schiel, D. (2010) Annual pattern of brooding and settlement in a population of the flat oyster Ostrea chilensis from central New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 44(4): 217-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2010.509904

Hill, N.A.O., Michael, K.P., Frazer, A., Leslie, S. (2010) The utility and risk of local ecological knowledge in developing stakeholder driven fisheries management: The Foveaux Strait dredge oyster fishery, New Zealand. Ocean & Coastal Management, 53(11): 659-668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2010.04.011

Cranfield, H.J., Dunn, A., Doonan, I.J., Michael, K.P. (2005) Bonamia exitiosa epizootic in Ostrea chilensis from Foveaux Strait, southern New Zealand between 1986 and 1992. Ices Journal of Marine Science, 62(1): 3-13.https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/62/1/3/667406

View more on ORCID