Help us keep track of one of Te Matuku Bay's most important ecological indicators.
Cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) are a cornerstone species of the Te Matuku Bay Marine Reserve. Their abundance and size distribution tells us a great deal about the health of the estuary — and regular monitoring is the only way to track change over time.
Pouteria has a cockle count protocol and the monitoring sites are set up and ready to go. What we've lacked, until now, is a team of volunteers to put it into regular practice. That's where you come in.
You can read about the cockle count setup on our blog: Cockle Count Setup →
Cockle Count Co-ordinator wanted!
We are looking for someone to take on the role of Cockle Count Co-ordinator — organising volunteers, scheduling counts according to the protocol, and ensuring the data is recorded and stored consistently. A great role for someone with an interest in marine ecology and some organisational nous.
Counting volunteers wanted!
Cockle counts are carried out on the mudflats at low tide — a hands-on, outdoors activity that doesn't require any special expertise, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get your feet wet. Counts are periodic and don't require a large time commitment.
If you have an interest in organising or participating in cockle counting — please get in touch!
