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Archives For 30/11/1999

Mudfish monitoring in Saltwater Forest

Department of Conservation —  01/07/2014

By Cornelia Vervoon, Partnerships Ranger, Franz Josef

Rangers Mirella Pomeroy and Myles Riki were out in Saltwater Forest on the West Coast last week completing the local annual mudfish (Neochanna apoda) survey.

Range Myles setting a mudfish trap. Photo: Mirella Pomeroy.

Ranger Myles setting one of the mudfish traps

They set 30 traps and caught 32 mudfish, half a dozen koura/crayfish and some kokopu – a great result!

A mudfish and a koura. Photo: Mirella Pomeroy.

A mexican standoff between a mudfish and a koura

Mudfish are under increasing threat from habitat loss, so to find them thriving in Saltwater Forest is a really positive sign.

Two mudfish in a trap. Photo: Mirella Pomeroy.

Two mudfish in one go

Mirella found out what the bigger ones have been eating:

“We caught this one mudfish, which we thought was pregnant because it had a really big belly. Then we picked it up for a closer look… and it regurgitated (“blleeerrrgh”) a juvenile kokopu into Myles’s hand.” 

A mudfish up close. Photo: Mirella Pomeroy.

A mudfish up close

You can find more information about mudfish and New Zealand’s other freshwater fish species on the DOC website.

Saltwater Forest, South Westland. Photo: Mirabella Pomeroy.

Perfect mudfish habitat – Saltwater Forest, South Westland

In Native animals, West Coast , , , , ,
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Photo of the week: Humpback whales

Department of Conservation —  25/06/2014

Today’s photo of the week is of two humpback whales and a pod of dusky dolphins travelling near the Kaikoura Coast.

humpback-whales

The Department of Conservation is currently conducting a research project that monitors the northern migration of humpback whales through the Cook Strait. This will be the eleventh annual Cook Strait Whale Survey.

The survey aims to determine how humpback whales are recovering since whaling ended. The survey has already recorded 33 humpback whales and 1 blue whale.

This photo was taken by Rob Pine.

In Marine , , , , ,
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Photo of the week: Bealey Spur Track

Department of Conservation —  26/03/2014

Today’s photo of the week is from the Bealey Spur Track in Arthur’s Pass.

The track climbs gently up through mountain beech forest to the base of Mt Rolleston up toward the Black Range and it offers a fantastic view of Arthur’s Pass and the Waimakariri River.

Bealey Spur Track.

DOC is interested in finding out more about your thoughts on exploring the outdoors. Are you an early morning hiker, or a late morning latte drinker? Does camping excite you or frighten you?

Take this quick and easy survey to share your thought on the outdoors – and you could win a $200 Prezzy card as a ‘thanks’ for filling it in.

Photo by Jason Blair | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

In Photo of the week, Walking/hiking/tramping , , , , ,
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