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.

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

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