A significant contribution to the conservation of one of our rarest taonga species.

New Zealand’s native lamprey, Geotria australis (a.k.a. piharau or kanakana) is classified as a “Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable” freshwater fish species. It is also a very elusive research subject. Tracking technology was either too big for the petite fish or, in the case of micro-tags, emitted too weak a signal to be useful in its river habitat.

Dr. Baker developed innovative antenna arrays to improve detection of micro-tag signals. Using this technology, she tracked adult lamprey to their spawning nests, conducting the first observations of such sites in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr. Baker also created a tool that responds to lamprey pheromones, which has been proven as a way to locate, quantify and monitor larval populations.

Dr. Cindy Baker

NIWA

2016 Waikato Regional Council Environmental Science Award Finalist

A significant contribution to the conservation of one of our rarest taonga species.

New Zealand’s native lamprey, Geotria australis (a.k.a. piharau or kanakana) is classified as a “Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable” freshwater fish species. It is also a very elusive research subject. Tracking technology was either too big for the petite fish or, in the case of micro-tags, emitted too weak a signal to be useful in its river habitat.

Dr. Baker developed innovative antenna arrays to improve detection of micro-tag signals. Using this technology, she tracked adult lamprey to their spawning nests, conducting the first observations of such sites in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr. Baker also created a tool that responds to lamprey pheromones, which has been proven as a way to locate, quantify and monitor larval populations.