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Participatory tools

We are developing web-based tools to enable New Zealanders to interact with and use knowledge generated by our research.

Project LeaderDurationBudget
Ross Vennell (Cawthron Institute)April 2016 – November 2019$580,000

Overview

We are developing interactive web-based applications that will help inform management and decision-making in the marine environment. These tools will potentially be used by regional councils, government policy-makers, iwi and commercial fisheries.

  • Ocean Plastic Simulator - this educational online tool allows users to explore how the ocean and coast are connected by ocean flows. It is based on ocean modelling data. Users can drop virtual plastic into the ocean and discover where it will end up.
  • Bayes decision network tool - shows how management decisions in the Tasman and Golden Bay region may affect the marine environment and influence the scallop fishery. It helps users understand how their management decisions could impact the productivity and quality of the marine environment. The application uses a ‘Bayesian Network’ to connect environmental management strategies with ecosystem properties. This web-based tool requires a software license.
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Related News

Workshop on targets and limits with Ministry for the Environment21 Dec 202110 things you need to know about the ocean this summer 18 Dec 2020Tracking the transport of ocean trash15 May 2020Seaweek focus on tracking plastic pollution22 May 20203,000 school students discover marine science with LEARNZ2 Jun 2020Video: Why Tasman and Golden Bays?27 May 2020

Project proposal

281 KB | pdf

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Location

This is a national project.

Tools & Resources

This project has produced or contributed to:

Bayesian network tool: seabed health and scallop fisheries
Digital toolModel
We used expert knowledge to develop an online user interface could be used by anyone to explore the impact that different management decisions can have. The management objectives were identified with iwi and local stakeholders.
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Ocean Plastic Simulator
Digital toolModel
This web-based interactive tool tracks how floating plastic waste moves around New Zealand's coastline, and has potential for environmental and biosecurity monitoring, and aquaculture
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Tracking ocean plastic
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Heni Unwin and Ross Vennell, November 2019 (35 mins + Q&A)
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Using Bayesian network models to bridge the gap between ecology and management
Guidance
This guidance explains how Bayesian network models can combine data with expert knowledge (ecological, physical or Mātauranga Māori), to bridge data gaps and support decision making (June 2021)
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Plastic, pests and industry
Summary
This impact case study describes how a public engagement tool has led to biosecurity and commercial benefits (August 2020).
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Metadata catalogue: Participatory tools project
Dataset
This project has produced a dataset for the Ocean Plastic Simulator. You can find out about this datasets through our metadata catalogue.  
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Fast lagrangian particle tracking in unstructured ocean model grids
Academic publication
Vennell R, Scheel M, Weppe S, Knight B & Smeaton M (2021) Ocean Dynamics
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Describing a Bayesian network tool for Tasman and Golden Bays scallop management
Presentation
This conference presentation (given 2019) describes a Baysian network decision support tool, developed and validated using expert knowledge, for Tasman Bay and Golden Bay scallop management strategy evaluation (MSE). This scallop MSE uses a 'structured decision making' framework approach to ecosystem-based management (EBM).
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Ecosystem models
We developed simulation models for the Tasman and Golden Bays marine ecosystem to test what is likely to happen in different scenarios.
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Credit: Paula Blackett
Testing participatory processes for marine management
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Credit: Dave Allen NIWA
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What could EBM look like in Tasman and Golden Bays?
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Credit: Crispin Middleton NIWA 2018
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He Pou Tokomanawa: kaitiakitanga in practice in our marine environment
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