UC Spark

Dr Michael Julian Hames Hickford

Biological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Dispersal mechanisms
  • Early life history of fishes
  • Fish biology
  • Icthyoplankton
  • Marine biology
  • Marine ecology
  • Otolith microchemistry

Researcher Summary

My primary research interest is the early life history of fish. I am interested in larval dispersal and transport mechanisms and how they are influenced by nearshore hydrography. I spent three years with PISCO in California where I learned and developed a new tool for tracking the dispersal of larval fish. Otolith microchemistry uses the chemical fingerprint in the otolith (ear bone) of fish as a natural tag to help locate their natal origin. My research to date had focussed on marine species, but I am switching my focus to New Zealand’s freshwater galaxiids (whitebait) because their unique life history makes them ideal candidates for tracking with otolith microchemistry.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Publications


  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2013) Artificial spawning habitats improve egg production of a declining diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842). Restoration Ecology (early access online) http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/rec.1208. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2011) Making more whitebait. Canterbury Workers Educational Association Roopu Kaimahi Matauranga O Waitaha: Northwest Branch Meeting, 4 Feb 2011. (Oral Presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2011) Population sinks resulting from degraded habitats of an obligate life-history pathway. Oecologia 166(1): 131-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-010-1834-7. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2011) Synergistic interactions within disturbed habitats between temperature, relative humidity and UVB radiation on egg survival in a diadromous fish. PLoS ONE 6(9): e24318. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0024318. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2011) Whitebait can get sunburned too: Synergistic interactions within disturbed habitats between temperature, relative humidity and UVB radiation on egg survival. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Society for Limnology Annual Congress with New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society, 26-30 Sep 2011. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2010) Eggs are being laid: Experimental rehabilitation of the riparian spawning habitat of a diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference, 7-9 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2010) Population sinks for diadromous fish from multiple stressors in the coastal margins of New Zealand. Santa Fe, NM, USA: American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and North American Benthological Society Joint Conference, 6-11 Jun 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., Cagnon, M. and Schiel, D.R. (2010) Predation, vegetation and habitat-specific survival of terrestrial eggs of a diadromous fish, Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 385(1-2): 66-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2010.01.010. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2010) The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence: Experimental rehabilitation of the spawning habitat of Galaxias maculatus. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Conference, 22-26 Nov 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • West, D.W., Leathwick, J.R., Gerbeaux, P. and Hickford, M.J.H. (2010) White gold: mapping the value of whitebait habitat. Wellington, New Zealand: Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Conference, 27-29 Oct 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Bradshaw J., Hickford., M.J.H. and Schiel D.R. (2010) Whitebait! The story of New Zealand's favourite fish. Hokitika Museum, Hokitika, 9 Sep 2011-15 Apr 2012. [Museum exhibition]. (Exhibition)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., O'Connell, K.O. and Schiel, D.R. (2009) Artificial spawning substrata: Egg-straw-dinary new habitats for inanga? Whangarei, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological and Freshwater Sciences Societies Joint Conference, 23-27 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2009) 'Attractive sinks' detract from spawning success: Degraded habitats reduce egg production of whitebait in major rivers. Auckland, New Zealand: Joint conference of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and the Meterological Society of New Zealand, 2-4 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • O'Connell, K.O., Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2009) Egg-straw-dinary habitat: Artificial spawning substrata for a diadromous fish species. Auckland, New Zealand: Joint conference of the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and the Meterological Society of New Zealand, 2-4 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel. D.R. (2009) Habitat degradation reduces egg production in inanga: Are major rivers 'attractive sinks'? Whangarei, New Zealand: New Zealand Hydrological and Freshwater Sciences Societies Joint Conference, 23-27 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., O’Connell, K.L. and Schiel, D.R. (2009) Inanga (Galaxias maculatus) spawning in the Ngakawau River. Solid Energy. 31pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., O'Connell, K.L. and Schiel, D.R. (2009) One last hurdle: reduced spawning habitat availability creates sink populations in the diadromous fish Galaxias maculatus. Adelaide, Australia: 8th International Temperate Reef Symposium (ITRS 2009), 12-16 Jan 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., Cagnon, M. and Schiel, D.R. (2008) Of mice and men: Restoration of spawning habitat of inanga, Galaxias maculatus. New Plymouth, New Zealand: New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Conference 2008, 24-27 Nov 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., Cagnon, M. and Schiel, D.R. (2008) Of mice and men: Restoration of spawning habitat of inanga, Galaxias maculatus. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Marine Sciences Society and Australian Marine Sciences Association Joint Conference, 6-10 Jul 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2008) Until the cows come home: Restoration of spawning habitat of diadromous fishes. Christchurch, New Zealand: Wai: Wetlands Symposium, 14-16 Feb 2008. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Pirker, J.G., Hickford, M.J.H., Taylor, D.I. and Schiel, D.R. (2007) Monitoring S186 Closures - Wakatu Quay: CUS2006-07 Final Report. Ministry of Fisheries. 17pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Pirker, J.G., Hickford, M.J.H. and Taylor, D.I. (2007) The effect of paua (Haliotis iris) re-seeding in the Kaikoura 186b Wakatu Quay Rāhui area. Ministry of Fisheries. 24pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2007) Until the cows come home: Restoration of spawning habitat of diadromous fishes. Hamilton, New Zealand: New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference, 29-31 Aug 2007. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Woods, C.M.C., Unwin, M.J., Hickford, M.J.H., Taylor, D.I., Pirker, J.G., Miller, S. and Hurren, S. (2006) Intertidal shellfish at Banks Peninsula: an assessment of recreational harvested species of concern based on available historical information. Ministry of Fisheries Research Project. 89pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2006) Sources and sinks: Loss of critical stage-specific habitats in a diadromous fish species. Santa Barbara, CA, USA: 7th International Temperate Reefs Symposium, 26 Jun-1 Jul 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (2006) Sources and sinks: Loss of critical stage-specific habitats in a diadromous fish species. Nelson, New Zealand: New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference, 20-22 Sep 2006. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Ruttenberg, B.I., Hamilton, S.L., Hickford, M.J.H., Paradis, G.L., Sheehy, M.S., Standish, J.D., Ben-Tzvi, O. and Warner, R.R. (2005) Elevated levels of trace elements in cores of otoliths and their potential for use as natural tags. Marine Ecology Progress Series 297: 273-281. http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v297/p273-281/. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. (2000) Patterns of distribution and abundance of larval fish in a southern temperate region. PhD, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. (Thesis - Doctor of Philosophy)
  • Hickford, M.J.H., Schiel, D.R. and Jones, J.B. (1997) Catch characteristics of commercial gill-nets in a nearshore fishery in central New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 31: 249-259. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (1997) Catch characteristics of commercial gills-nets in a nearshore fishery in central New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 31: 249--259. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. and Schiel, D.R. (1996) Gillnetting in southern New Zealand: duration effects of sets and entanglement modes of fish. Fishery Bulletin 94: 669-677. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M. J. H. and Schiel, D. R. (1995) Catch vs count: effects of gill-netting on reef fish populations in southern New Zealand. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 188: 215-232. (Journal Article)
  • Hickford, M.J.H. (1993) Effects of gill-netting on reef fish populations in central New Zealand. MSc, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. (Thesis - Master of Science)