Beds of New Zealand seagrass (Zostera muelleri) provide important habitat for coastal species such as small fish, seahorses, and shellfish. Much of New Zealand’s seagrass habitat has been lost or degraded, mainly as a result of sedimentation. NIWA is leading a small-scale seagrass transplantation trial in Whangarei Harbour, with promising early results.
Two hundred of the world’s leading marine biologists gathered in Auckland for five days last November to share the latest research insights on marine life from the poles to the tropics. The Census of Marine Life meeting was jointly hosted by NIWA and The University of Auckland.
The Census is a global 10-year research programme to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans (see: www.coml.org).
Benthic community at Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, including: encrusting coralline algae, seastars, and sea urchins camouflaged with pieces of drift red algae. (Photo: Rodd Budd, NIWA)
Scientists from NIWA and the Finnish Institute of Marine Research are using novel ways to explore the effects of sea ice on coastal food webs in Antarctica.
Sea ice is a major driver of polar marine ecosystems, partly through its effect on light levels and, hence, productivity.
Tangaroa off to survey biodiversity in the Ross Sea. (Photo: John Mitchell, NZ IPY-CAML)
Twenty-six scientists – including 19 from NIWA – and 18 crew have embarked on a 50-day voyage of scientific discovery.
Wendy received the award and lifetime membership of the NZ Marine Sciences Society. (Photo: Alan Blacklock, NIWA)
Dr Wendy Nelson, NIWA’s Taxonomy and Systematics Science Leader, has been awarded the prestigious New Zealand Marine Sciences Award in recognition of her continued and outstanding contribution to marine science in New Zealand.
Wendy is New Zealand’s foremost expert on seaweeds, and has devoted her career to research, education, and marineconservation. At NIWA she leads an active algal taxonomy research group and a large marine biodiversity research programme.
The as yet unclassified tube anemone, discovered in shallow water off Wellington’s south coast, within the proposed Kupe-Kevin Smith Marine Reserve. (Photo: Malcolm Francis, NIWA)
A small sand-dwelling tube anemone discovered during Wellington’s Marine Bioblitz could be new to science.
Amphiprion melanopus, an anemone fish which occurs naturally in parts of Australia. (Photo: Photo: Malcolm Francis, NIWA)
Regulation of the marine aquarium trade is necessary to protect species and habitats in both the countries of origin and import. A NIWA team, led by Dr Don Morrisey, has been working with the Australian Federal Government to characterise the nature of the trade and aid its regulation.
In 2006, Australia imported around 280 000 individuals belonging to over 200 species and 35 families.
Ever wondered what life was like in the seas around New Zealand 1000 years ago, before human settlement? Or how things have changed since the first Polynesians or Europeans arrived, or even since modern industrial fishing began, around 60 years ago?
CenSeam, the global Census of Marine Life programme on seamounts, has received funding to expand its field research.
CenSeam’s aim is to integrate and expand seamount research around the world. Research is focused on evaluating factors driving community composition and biodiversity on seamounts, and determining the impacts of human activities on seamount community structure and function.
Over the past few years, CenSeam has supported many varied research activities according to NIWA’s Dr Malcolm Clark, who leads a three-strong CenSeam team in Wellington.
