Vulnerable Ecosystems: the significance of marine protection

This Seaweek webinar explores the unique biodiversity of three distinct marine ecosystems and the positive impacts of marine protection.

Guest speakers share their understanding of the rich biodiversity and key species across three distinct marine ecosystems. Three 15-minute presentations and a Q&A provide insight into marine protected areas of Antarctica, Fiordland, and Northeastern New Zealand.

In this webinar speakers cover:
- important roles of three different ocean ecosystems
- key/indicator species in these ecosystems
- MPAs in polar and temperate climates

00:00 Welcome
05:00 The Ross Sea - Dr. Svenja Halfter
26:15 The Fiordland Marine Area – Mr. Richard Kinsey
46:30 Rocky Reef Ecosystems – Dr. Nick Shears
1:08:05 Q&A


Guest speakers:

Dr. Svenja Halfter ~ Zooplankton Ecologist
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
Dr. Halfter is a zooplankton ecologist and biogeochemist at NIWA in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Their research focuses on the role of zooplankton in the marine ecosystem and carbon cycle and the potential impacts of climate change. In the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area, Svenja’s research centres around using zooplankton as an indicator of ecosystem changes and the effectiveness of the MPA.

Mr. Richard Kinsey ~ Senior Ranger, Marine & Freshwater – Kaitiaki Matua
Department of Conservation
Mr. Kinsey is a senior Ranger specialising in the marine ecology of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area. He works with the Fiordland Marine Guardians, who provide advice on the marine area, and other associated agencies to manage the long-term monitoring of Fiordland including looking after ten marine reserves.

Dr. Nick Shears ~ Associate Professor & Deputy Head of Research · Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland
Dr. Shears is a rocky reef ecologist. His early research investigated the effects of fishing on kelp forest ecosystems and his current research focuses on kelp forest restoration, marine protected areas and monitoring climate change impacts on rocky reefs. Shears seeks to address fundamental questions in modern ecology applying to marine ecosystem management. His research highlights the urgent need to increase marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf.

Seaweek is endorsed as an Ocean Decade Activity and this Ngā Kōrero webinar series is supported by the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO.