We describe fine‐scale interactions between dusky dolphins and mussel farms in Admiralty Bay, New Zealand. We examined dusky dolphin presence in nearshore mussel farms, coordinated feeding behaviours in and near mussel farms, and long‐term changes in regional population abundance. Sampling methods included boat‐based surveys, focal follows, underwater observations, and photo‐identification. Correcting for area, dusky dolphins...

The River Values Assessment System (RiVAS) is a standardised multi‐criteria analysis approach for developing river rankings for diverse values (e.g. irrigation, whitewater kayaking, native birds) to aid decision‐making regarding various aspects of river management. The method identifies primary attributes that characterise the value and an indicator for each. Eleven values have been, or are being, implemented. In this paper, t...

The genetic structure of populations is often shaped by the reproductive system and larval properties of the species. The waratah anemone ( Actinia tenebrosa ) reproduces through both asexual clones, which have very short‐distance dispersal, and sexual larvae, which are believed to disperse much greater distances. The impact of this mixed strategy on the New Zealand population structure of Actinia tenebrosa was investigated us...

Climate downscaling studies help to connect global predictions and projections with regional dynamics and generate a better understanding of past and future conditions. Adding ecological variables and trophic relationships into the climate equation is challenging since there are few clear connections. The present study is an exploratory data analysis to explain dusky dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus obscurus ) encounter rate patterns...

During seabird censuses performed as part of scientific research looking into seabird bycatch onboard industrial pelagic longline vessels targeting swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) we made the first documented records of black petrel ( Procellaria parkinsoni ) in the pelagic waters of northern Chile, considerably extending the species’ range southward. These observations were made during hauling operations in the austral winters...

The 2010 4‐yearly national survey of pesticides in groundwater included 162 wells. The aims of the survey were to update the national overview of pesticides in New Zealand's groundwater systems, to investigate temporal variation in pesticide concentrations between surveys, and to identify environmental factors associated with pesticide contamination. Pesticides were detected in 38 wells (23%), with two or more pesticides detec...

Dams are important structures for generating electricity and irrigation, but they often severely modify river hydrology and geomorphology and thus impact freshwater communities. These effects are broadly predictable and therefore, at a catchment scale, biological communities should respond in some predictable manner. We interrogated the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database to determine whether dams have predictable catchment‐s...

An individual non‐motile (NM) cell was isolated from a surface sediment sample collected in Guangxi, China and subsequently established as a dinoflagellate strain in culture. The motile cells are 22.5–32.5 µm long and 20.0–30.0 µm wide, with a plate formula of Po, X, 4′, 3a, 7″, 6c, 5(?)s, 5″′, 2″″, fitting the description of Vulcanodinium rugosum . The Chinese strain shares 99.8%, 97.4% and 96.7% similarity (LSU sequence) wit...

We characterised seasonal and ontogenetic changes in diet and prey energy density of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) in Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand, to better understand the prey requirements of trout in central North Island lakes. Common smelt ( Retropinna retropinna ) was the dominant prey item of rainbow trout larger than 200 mm (77.8% of diet by weight), followed by kōura (freshwater crayfish Paranephrops planifrons ;...

In this study, the distribution and occurrence of backswimmers in 21 fishless ponds was analysed in the Nahuel Huapi National Park (Patagonia, Argentina). We performed laboratory experiments to study the impact of different developmental stages of the endemic backswimmer Notonecta vereertbruggheni on typical co‐occurring prey. We recorded three species of backswimmers N . vereertbruggheni , Notonecta virescens and Notonecta fa...

This study investigated the inter‐ and intra‐annual variation in the spawning dynamics of snapper ( Chrysophrys auratus ). Reproductive samples from northern Spencer Gulf, South Australia were collected over three seasons (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) and were analysed macro and microscopically. Spawning activity was determined by calculating estimates of spawning fraction and batch fecundities. The onset of spawning occurred...

Integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) seeks to biodiversify fed aquaculture (e.g. finfish or shrimps) with extractive aquaculture, recapturing the inorganic (e.g. seaweeds) and organic (e.g. suspension‐ and deposit‐feeders) nutrients from fed aquaculture for their growth. The combination fed/extractive aquaculture aims to engineer food production systems providing both biomitigative services to the ecosystem and improved...

Vietnam is the largest producer for the export of striped catfish. Traditionally striped catfish production in the Mekong Delta took place in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems, but has shifted recently to intensive systems to meet increasing export demands. A recent study quantified the environmental impact of intensive striped catfish production in Vietnam. Another did the same for integrated systems. Both studies us...

Megalocytivirus is a newly discovered DNA‐virus from the Iridoviridae family that possesses icosahedral symmetry and has a size range of 140–200 nm diameter. Based on genetic differences, Megalocytivirus is divided into three major groups; infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus which is reported to cause disease in numerous marine and freshwater fish species, red sea bream iridovirus that mainly infects red sea bream [ Pa...

The effects of aquaculture on the environment have been the subject of much examination, but most of the focus has been on shrimp and salmon. These are not the most common species grown in aquaculture, nor the most common systems used. About 60% of production today uses lower intensity culture to produce organisms in natural systems such as ponds. This paper is an overview of the positive and negative environmental impacts of...

Southern right whales ( Eubalaena australis ) were virtually extirpated from New Zealand by commercial whaling, but are now recovering. Previous research at the Auckland Islands has suggested that Port Ross, a sheltered embayment at the northern end of the islands, is the primary calving ground for right whales in New Zealand. However, an abundance of potentially suitable calving areas exist outside Port Ross, raising the ques...

Information on the effect of human‐induced disturbances on sediment yields and sediment sources from New Zealand catchments is limited. This study analyses the sediment yields and event sediment dynamics for a 12‐year period from two paired headwater catchments within the Waikato region. One catchment (Whakakai) was entirely vegetated in native forest, while the other (Mangaotama) was of mixed land use. Near the beginning of t...

New Zealand fiords frequently feature a buoyant low‐salinity layer (LSL) leading to unique biological communities on their rock walls. The LSL has previously been distinguished by its temperature, but we show this is not always reliable. We describe temporal and spatial patterns in water temperature in Doubtful Sound, and the influences of rainfall, wind, air temperature and the discharge from the Manapōuri hydroelectric power...

The mitigating effects of fish passes to aid fish dispersal are well recognised; however, non‐sports fish species, juveniles and weak swimmers have mostly been neglected when developing solutions to fish passage issues. We studied the juvenile (fork length, FL Galaxias maculatus ), up an artificial ramp to evaluate the effects of fish size, ramp slope (5°, 15°, 25°), water velocity and the potential need for resting opportunit...

The influence of season, gender and sexual maturity on the biochemical composition (moisture, protein, total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, free amino acids, glucose and glycogen) of gonads from the endemic New Zealand sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus was investigated. Gonads were obtained from urchins during the austral autumn, winter, summer and spring, over a 23‐month period. Biochemical differences betw...

Age verification of rubyfish ( Plagiogeneion rubiginosum ) was sought using the bomb radiocarbon chronometer procedure. Stable isotopes were investigated for life history characteristics. Radiocarbon ( 14 C) and stable isotope (δ 18 O and δ 13 C) levels were measured in micro‐samples from five otoliths that had been aged using a zone count method. All the core 14 C measurements were ‘pre‐bomb’ indicating ages of at least 45 ye...