Dean of Postgraduate Research
Vice-Chancellor’s Office
Extension: 7285
Email:
lucy.johnston@canterbury.ac.nz
Summer Research Scholarship Scheme
2015-2016
Project Application Form
Please complete and submit the application form as a WORD document and send to
summerscholarships@canterbury.ac.nz
The Project
Title of Project:
Which whitebait species are you?
Project Leader(s):
Dr Mike Hickford
Host Department:
School of Biological Sciences
Other persons involved in this topic/activity:
Name
Affiliation to project
Mark Yungnickel
Eimear Egan
Prof David Schiel
MSc candidate
PhD candidate
co-PI (MBIE project)
Brief outline of project
Describe the proposed research project:
It has been over forty years since the last widespread study of the composition of New Zealand’s whitebait catch. Four
of the five whitebait species are now ranked as ‘at risk-declining’ in the New Zealand threat classification system
because of bottlenecks in their life history caused by habitat modifications. However, we have little current knowledge
of the species composition of migratory shoals or of any temporal and spatial shifts in the make-up of the whitebait
catch. This information is critical for the long term conservation of these diadromous fish populations and preservation
of the associated whitebait fishery. This project will seek to fill this knowledge gap by sampling and analysing the
whitebait catch in multiple regions in New Zealand. Key questions are:
 Has the species composition of the whitebait fishery changed since it was last surveyed in the 1970s?
 What is the species composition of whitebait entering rivers on the east coast of the South Island?
The successful candidate will collect whitebait from rivers around New Zealand and identify the species composition of
these samples. It is expected that this project will involve a blend of laboratory work and field-collections. The student
will work within the Marine Ecology Research Group and be involved with a dynamic team of researchers working in
cross-ecosystem marine studies. The student will be working under the umbrella of the Ministry of Business, Innovation
1
and Employment-funded project on Aquatic Rehabilitation, and will work closely with external researchers. As has been
shown in the past, this project will provide a springboard for future success and there is an expectation that the
recipient will continue with this, or a closely related, research project as part of a post-graduate degree.
If the project involves work away from the University campus (e.g., at fieldwork sites) please detail all locations.
The project will involve occasional field trips to rivers in Canterbury, Tasman Bay and the West Coast in conjunction
with members of the Marine Ecology Research Group. All costs incurred during these field trips will be covered.
If the student be required to work outside of normal university hours (8am-5pm) please provide details
Field work is weather and tide dependent. It is expected that applicants will be willing to show flexibility in their
working hours during field trips.
Benefits student will gain from involvement in the project
Describe the research experience and skills that the student will acquire through involvement in this research project :
The student will learn advanced field and lab techniques in ecological science, will use and develop statistical skills,
and will have the chance to be involved in the outreach aspects of the wider programme in Aquatic Rehabilitation. This
project is very “hands-on”. The successful candidate will also learn to work within a larger research team, which
provides numerous synergies to all.
Specific student requirements
Please provide details of all requirements you have for the student to work on this project – for example, if specific
courses/experience are necessary.
A background of undergrad courses in ecology, aquatic science and statistics is preferable. Students must also be
capable and willing to do field work.
2