Seachange Surveys
Ahu Ahu Reef
Rock pool life
Starfish
Many seaweeds
A transect line
Survey in progress
Seachange Surveys is a community led Kaupapa that was funded for two years in a row as a Curious Minds project. The intention behind this Kaupapa is to support local communities in the monitoring of coastal species, primarily mātaitai (seafood), in their rohe moana (coastal area). Seachange Surveys developed a survey method with help and feedback from the local Kaitake community. The timed count survey method was designed to monitor changes in paua abundance and size distribution over time, which can help inform management decisions at a community level. .
Project objectives
Timed count survey methodThe timed count survey method takes no more than 30 minutes and has been designed for fishermen who may want to conduct a survey before or after they gather their paua. You can conduct this survey on foot during a low spring tide, or during a mid-tide, with snorkel gear.
How to start: The survey is split into two overlapping time periods. Start the first ten-minute survey when you reach the edge of the reef that is covered by water. Slowly swim or walk around the contour of the reef until you spot your first pāua. At this point you stop the 10-minute timer, and your 20-minute time period begins. This allows you to time how long it takes to find your first pāua.
All pāua in the area should be counted and their length estimated in situ (attached to the rock). Only disturb rocks or boulders if you are surveying on foot. Remember to put all boulders carefully back where you found them. Individual pāua should be counted and their estimated length recorded on a dive slate or using our electronic field sheet (find link below).
Where to start: Select a natural feature (i.e., large distinctive bolder) as your starting point, and slowly snorkel or walk in a northward direction, examining every crevice and the base of every boulder as you go, until your 20 minutes is up. Aim to cover 40 metres in 20 minutes.
Survey 123 field sheet: To learn more about the data collected though this project contact Taipuni Ruakere at Taranaki Iwi.
To learn more about the timed count survey method contact the project coordinator through Wild for Taranaki
How to start: The survey is split into two overlapping time periods. Start the first ten-minute survey when you reach the edge of the reef that is covered by water. Slowly swim or walk around the contour of the reef until you spot your first pāua. At this point you stop the 10-minute timer, and your 20-minute time period begins. This allows you to time how long it takes to find your first pāua.
All pāua in the area should be counted and their length estimated in situ (attached to the rock). Only disturb rocks or boulders if you are surveying on foot. Remember to put all boulders carefully back where you found them. Individual pāua should be counted and their estimated length recorded on a dive slate or using our electronic field sheet (find link below).
Where to start: Select a natural feature (i.e., large distinctive bolder) as your starting point, and slowly snorkel or walk in a northward direction, examining every crevice and the base of every boulder as you go, until your 20 minutes is up. Aim to cover 40 metres in 20 minutes.
Survey 123 field sheet: To learn more about the data collected though this project contact Taipuni Ruakere at Taranaki Iwi.
To learn more about the timed count survey method contact the project coordinator through Wild for Taranaki
Ahu Ahu Reef
Octopus
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Quadrat
Workshop planning a survey
Aerial view of reef
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Mapping habitat to find suitable paua conditions
