Celebrating success at the 2023 NZMSS conference
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington hosted the annual New Zealand Marine Science Society (NZMSS) Conference last week at the University’s Pipitea campus.
The goal of the NZMSS is to keep the marine science community connected, supported, and involved in marine issues, through awards, research grants, and conferences like this year’s one.
The event, hosted from Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 June, was opened by mana whenua, Lee Ruahina-August and Mark Fenwick (Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika); the Hon Rachel Brooking, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, and Food Safety; and Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science, Professor Louise Dixon.
Speaking at the event, Professor Dixon welcomed the chance for researchers to share ideas and methodologies, as well as connect with external organisations, government, iwi, and the public.
“This Society is integral for our future. What better way to facilitate our students, who are our future leaders, to learn and to grow.
“I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to support, and continue to support, this annual event.”
The conference featured talks from leading environmental scientists and representatives from Fisheries New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, NIWA, and GNS Science, among others.
Conference convener Professor Jeffrey Shima, from the University’s School of Biological Sciences, said the topics covered were wide ranging, including marine biology and oceanography, fisheries management, aquaculture, climate change, and mātauranga Māori.
“The importance of the resulting discussions from bringing these people and these topics together cannot be overstated. Conferences like this play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the marine environment and shaping sustainable practices within the industry.”
Part of the conference includes a competition amongst students, who may present their research as either a poster or an oral presentation. This year, Te Herenga Waka students received five of the ten awards on offer. These included:
- Best talk, awarded to Ian Blixt for his presentation, Shedding Light on Sea Ice Microbes.
- Runner up best talk, awarded to Imogen Bunting for her presentation, Impacts of marine heatwaves on juvenile giant kelp.
- Best talk incorporating Mātauranga Māori, awarded to Tessa Thomson for her presentation, I aha ki ngā toheroa nō Horowhenua: What’s happened to the toheroa in the Horowhenua?
- Runner up best talk incorporating Mātauranga Māori, awarded to Ashley Davis for their presentation, Reconstructing last millennium marine biogeochemistry using New Zealand deep-sea black corals
- Best talk relating marine conservation or restoration, awarded to Imogen Foote for her presentation, Whole-genome analysis to resolve genetic structure of Antipodean and Gibson’s albatross populations
Professor Shima says the calibre of the presentations was incredibly high, with Te Herenga Waka winning the ‘Battle of the Labs’ award, which goes to the university with the highest total marks across judging of student talks and posters.
“The Society has a long history of supporting students with awards and funding for research costs, as well as for their first overseas conference participation. Many of New Zealand’s senior marine scientists got their start with support from the Society, and so they view student support fondly.”
Also awarded at the conference was the prestigious John Morton Medal, for advances in marine conversation and sustainability—given to a person who is considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of marine conservation and sustainability in New Zealand.
This year, the Medal was presented to Professor Ashley Rowden from the University’s School of Biological Sciences.
The Conference is sponsored by and made possible thanks to the generosity of Te Pane Matua Taiao, the Greater Wellington Regional Council; Taihoro Nukurangi, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA); Te Papa Atawhai, the Department of Conservation; the Cawthorn Institute, SLR Consulting, and the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.