What We Did
- Monitoring pāua populations and the ecological recovery of surrounding reefs that were greatly affected by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake. The emphasis was on juvenile pāua, 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 pāua.
- Experiments to determine the growth and survival of outplanted hatchery seed pāua, to gauge their viability in aiding population recovery.
- Experimental research and development of pāua spawning and larval production in the Kaikōura community-supported pāua hatchery with local community members and school kids.
- Community engagement, involvement of school kids in outplanting and recovery of hatchery seed pāua.
- Work with members of the rūnanga in raising pāua larvae for further research into pāua population enhancement.
- Public talks, industry meetings, research update newsletters, scientific conferences.
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 Pāua fishing Industry) - 3 years for seeding research
- Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura - subcontractor on MBIE programme, for hatchery and other related pāua projects.
- Local schools – outreach and help in outplanting and recovery
- Te Korowai o te tai ō Marokura – interactions for re-opening the recreational fishery
- Marlborough District Council, Environment Canterbury – interactions on coastal recovery
Why It Matters
Pāua 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.
Learn More
- ‘RECOVER’ Newsletter https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/16793
- Reports for Marlborough area https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/101470
- Research Gate summary https://www.researchgate.net/lab/Marine-Ecology-Research-Group-David-R-Schiel
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MERGNZ/about/
- Website under development: https://merg.nz/
