Hooked - Kahawai Research Project

Kahawai Research Project

Hooked: A research project into the genetics of Kahawai (Arripis trutta ).

This website has been set up to assist with a research project into the genetics of kahawai, by Brenton Hodgson, an MSc student at Victoria University of Wellington.

This research is being conducted to determine how many genetically isolated breeding populations of kahawai there are in New Zealand, and how much mixing between populations occurs. The research is expected to take up to a year to complete.

Brenton is collecting material from around the country, and would appreciate contact from recreational or commercial fishers who would be willing to supply samples of material for the study. These samples can be taken from live fish that can then be released, or from fish that have been taken as part of your normal fishing activities.

Samples required are very small, no more than 0.5cm x 0.5 cm (ie, a piece of material about half the size of your smallest finger nail) per fish, as the genetic sampling technique he uses is capable of producing many copies of DNA. This DNA will then be compared to samples from fish from all over NZ and used to create a population map for the species.

This website was created to provide information on the research he is undertaking, how the work is performed and to provide feedback on the research. It is also planned to be a resource for people interested in learning more about this iconic NZ fish species.

Brenton is also looking for sponsorship for the project, and would be very happy to discuss this with anyone interested in providing some funding towards a cutting edge fisheries project.

He needs all of the samples by the end of April 2009 to ensure he is able to complete the required lab work and analysis on the samples. If you are able to assist Brenton, he can be contacted at brenton@hooked.net.nz.