All at sea on Chatham Rise research
IT is the dream of University of Otago student Toby Dickson (20) to explore the depths of the undiscovered ocean.
He will be one step closer to that goal early next year as he spends a month researching marine life, as part of the Blake Ambassador Programme.
Mr Dickson is one of two students who will be assisting Niwa scientists from January 4 to February 3 studying species abundance in the Chatham Rise.
Mr Dickson said the main goal was to assess hoki stocks, but they would also sample some deepwater fish.
He had spent a lot of time on boats in his studies. However, he had never been on something as large as the Niwa vessel, which would be carrying more than 100 people.
‘‘Apparently everyone gets seasick for the first few days.’’
Mr Dickson will begin a master’s degree in marine science in the new year, having just completed his bachelor’s.
His love of the subject began at a young age, he said.
‘‘I always loved the ocean and all that. I was always reading books and watching movies about it.’’
He admits the interest is a slightly unusual fit, as his home town of Queenstown is a long drive from the nearest shore.
Mr Dickson would love to work in marine conservation or oceanlife filmmaking.
As for his Niwa journey, he was ‘‘super stoked’’.
‘‘I’ll learn a lot more when I’m out there with them. We don’t really get the time to get bored.’’
Niwa chief executive John Morgan said it had welcomed ambassadors to sites throughout the country for years now.
‘‘This year we are particularly excited to see such an enthusiastic and talented group of young people joining us over summer.
‘‘We look forward to working alongside them and fostering their interest in leading environmental science.’’