Afishionado

Jobs – Mudfishing in Northland

chris — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:44:29 +0000

On several occasions during 2009,2010 and 2011 Paul has accompanied staff of Mahurangi Technical Institute (as a contracted specialist) to areas in Northland for the collection of Northern Mudfish, Neochanna heleios. These fish, which are one of New Zealand most threatened freshwater fish, are form the basis of a planned captive breeding project which is a joint venture between Mahurangi Technical Institute and Auckland Zoo. Funding for this breeding project has been applied for from the Chicago Zoological Institute and the first breed is expected 2012.

Jobs – Trout Centre

chris — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 23:43:52 +0000

During 2010 and 2011 Paul has been involved in conjunction with Mahurangi Technical Institute in the collection and supply of a large order of freshwater native fish for the Department of Conservation for display at the newly built “Genesis Energy Freshwater Aquarium located within the National Trout Center near Tongariro.

Species supplied included longfin and shortfin eel, Giant Kokopu, Banded Kokopu, Shortjaw Kokopu, Inanga, Torrentfish, Bluegill Bullies, Common Bullies and Giant Bullies as well as freshwater shrimp for the invertebrate display and Perch for the exotic fish display.

www.troutcentre.com

Jobs – Te Manawa

chris — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:42:36 +0000

In May 2011 Paul Woodard, under contract to Mahurangi Technical Institute, assisted in the 5 day long installation of a major life support system on a 5,000 liter freshwater aquarium for NZ native freshwater fish representative of the Manawatu district.

The aquarium will display Shortjawed Kokopu, Inanga, Banded Kokopu, Koaro, Redfin Bullies and Torrentfish. There was also another smaller tank installed to display Brown Mudfish. These aquaria form a part of an exhibition entitled “Te Awa” which looks at all aspects of water use and disposal in the Manawatu area.

The large aquarium life support system consists of a sump (600l), bubble bead filter, pump, chiller, mechanical filter box, carbon filtration, phosphate filtration and auto top up function. The mudfish aquarium is equipped with a canister filter, UV and chiller with auto “fixed” carbon filtered water top up and “direct to waste” drainage for ease of maintenance.

www.temanawa.co.nz

Reference – Aquatics and aquaculture consultant

chris — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:46:09 +0000

What a resource! Paul’s enthusiasm is infectious and his knowledge of the freshwater ecosystem in New Zealand is a deep well just waiting to be tapped. Worth every penny of his fee (and more).

David Cooper

Aquatics and aquaculture consultant and educator.

Reference – Mahurangi Technical Institute

chris — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:44:53 +0000

Mahurangi Technical Institute has engaged Paul Woodard on numerous occasions since 2003. He has performed contract fishing, fish surveys, aquatic system construction and student tutoring in aquatic relates subjects. In all areas he has performed brilliantly. He not only delivers the contracted services promptly and efficiently but always seems to provide “added value” of one sort or another on every occasion. Students who spend time with Paul always walk away enthused.

Paul Decker

Director MTI

Reference – Auckland Council

chris — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:35:19 +0000

Since 2008 Paul has been employed as a casual contractor for the Auckland Council’s whitebait trap-and-transfer programme. Paul’s role is to act as field manager for the work carried out at both of ARC’s trap-and-transfer sites, Oteha Stream in Albany and Mahurangi River in Warkworth, where he is responsible for the capture and transport of whitebait above ARC-owned weirs with the assistance of volunteers.

Paul has proved to be very capable in this role, with his enthusiasm and knowledge of native fish being a big asset to the programme. He has contributed to the ongoing refinement of the techniques used for capturing whitebait at these sites, and his communication skills and awareness of health and safety procedures around water have allowed the volunteer aspect of the programme to work well.

In short, I would have no problems recommending Paul as someone who can professionally undertake projects involving the capture and transport of native freshwater fish. His knowledge and passion for native fish is evident and my experience in having him work for ARC has been uniformly positive.

Yours faithfully,

Graham Surrey

Project Leader – Freshwater

Auckland Council