What We Did
- Monitoring p膩ua populations and the ecological recovery of surrounding reefs that were greatly affected by the 2016 Kaik艒ura earthquake. The emphasis was on juvenile p膩ua, which recruit from the plankton into very specific habitats at the low tide mark, live there under rocks for around 3 years, and then emerge to open reefs.
- Experiments along the coast to gauge growth and recovery. Here we used small constructed reefs, which proved to be attractive to small juvenile p膩ua.
- Experiments to determine the growth and survival of outplanted hatchery seed p膩ua, to gauge their viability in aiding population recovery.
- Experimental research and development of p膩ua spawning and larval production in the Kaik艒ura community-supported p膩ua hatchery with local community members and school kids.
- Community engagement, involvement of school kids in outplanting and recovery of hatchery seed p膩ua.
- Work with members of the r奴nanga in raising p膩ua larvae for further research into p膩ua population enhancement.
- Public talks, industry meetings, research update newsletters, scientific conferences.
听
Who Was Involved
- PhD student Shawn Gerrity and members of the Marine Ecology Research Group
- Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), which includes Fisheries Management (7 years of funding)
- MBIE - coastal ecosystem recovery (4 years)
- Seafood Innovations Ltd (in conjunction with the P膩ua fishing Industry) - 3 years for seeding research
- Te R奴nanga o Kaik艒ura - subcontractor on MBIE programme, for hatchery and other related p膩ua projects.
- Local schools 鈥 outreach and help in outplanting and recovery
- Te Korowai o te tai 艒 Marokura 鈥 interactions for re-opening the recreational fishery
- Marlborough District Council, Environment Canterbury 鈥 interactions on coastal recovery
听
Why It Matters
P膩ua are a taonga species of great cultural, recreational and commercial importance. The closure of the fishery took millions of dollars out of the local community and our work contributes to plans for re-opening the fishery. As well, this work has captured the interest of the public and the media.
听
Learn More
- 鈥楻ECOVER鈥 Newsletter听
- Reports for Marlborough area听
- Research Gate summary听
- Facebook听
- Website under development:听听 听
