November 21, 2012
Matauranga Māori used for patiki study
Tangata whenua in Hawkes Bay are driving a project to measure the number of black flounder in rivers and estuaries.
Tom McGuire from Kohupatiki Marae near Clive started Operation Patiki with a catch and release survey of fish in the Clive River or Ngaruroro Tawhito.
A comparison survey will be done next year on the Tukituki or Tutaekuri rivers, which may have better habitats for patiki.
Mr McGuire says by fishing with the moon in the traditional way, the survey brought together mātauranga Māori and Western science methodology of observation and data collection.
Support from the project has come from Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Fish and Game Hawkes Bay, the Department of Conservation, Ngā Whenua Rāhui and students from Flaxmere Primary School.
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