Citizens of the Sea
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: A new citizen science project empowering sailors to map marine biodiversity and ocean health using cutting-edge technology Sailors collecting eDNA, create 3D coral reef models, and gather environmental data Insights from the Pacific aiming to advance understanding of climate change impacts and biodiversity loss globally Photo Credit / […]
New Tech for a Prickly Problem
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Long-spined sea urchin taking over key ecosystems High resolution 3D models used to monitor impact Multiple monitoring sites in Northern Aotearoa Photo Credit / Arie Spyksma TRACKING THE RAPID EXPANSION OF CENTROSTEPHANUS Marine life in Northern Aotearoa New Zealand is under threat with the sub-tropical long-spined sea […]
Restoring Flourishing Coastal Ecosystems
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Kelp is vital for ocean ecosystems to flourish, creating habitats for marine life and is hugely efficient at fixing carbon. 50% of the kelp forest on shallow reefs around Hauturu-o-Toi Little Barrier Island are now kina barrens Active restoration efforts have shown ‘resetting the system’ can accelerate kelp […]
Seascape
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: New tool changing the way scientists survey the seafloor Engaging 3D models show what is happening underwater Better insights = better decision making Photo Credit / Paul Caiger BRINGING THE UNDERWATER REALM INTO FOCUS The work of Dr Arie Spyksma at the University of Auckland is bringing the […]
Marine Metre²
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Citizen scientists surveying the seashore across Aotearoa 3D models using cutting-edge technology Collaboration tracking changes to the seashore over time Photo Credit / Joshua McCormack DIGITAL TOOL POWERS UP POPULAR CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT With rapid change being observed in marine ecosystems around Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting communities and […]
Detecting Caulerpa
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Caulerpa poses a catastrophic threat to marine ecosystems Early detection is vital in the fight against this invasive weed Developing underwater surveillance tools for local communities Photo Credit / NIWA A CATASTROPHIC THREAT A crisis is looming with the presence of exotic caulerpa, an invasive seaweed posing a […]
Songs of the Sea
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Stories of the former abundance of marine life in one of the world’s great coastal ecosystems, now on the brink of collapse Inspiring a new generation to step up as guardians Nearly one third of the world’s marine mammal species live in or visit the Hauraki Gulf Photo […]
Rere Tahi Fly Together
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Empowering Northland youth through sailing Eight-day voyage sailing on two distinctive vessels Bringing together science and mātauranga Māori Photo Credit / Bhakti Patel GENERATIONS OF OCEAN PEOPLE Aotearoa New Zealand’s story is intrinsically linked to the moana and the many wayfinders who voyaged across the ocean, first by […]
Project Kahurangi
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: New Zealand’s first marine conservation visual library Royalty free use for conservation purposes Bringing issues hidden out of sight into the spotlight Photo Credit / Project Kahurangi IMAGERY THAT RESONATES The issues facing the ocean are not new. For decades scientists have been signalling the unprecedented loss of […]
Uncovering the Mystery of Te Whai Rahi
PROJECTS / Project Summary Project Status: Location: Deficiencies in data are making protection difficult Public sightings are providing vital information 650+ manta sightings reported in New Zealand waters TE WHAI RAHI OCEANIC MANTA RAYS With powerful wingspans of up to seven metres wide, these ocean wanderers don’t let their enormous two-tonne frame weigh them down, […]