Mahalia Bounties/Antipodes Expedition, November 2004

• Main Authors: Tui De Roy, Jacinda Amey
• Format: Report
• Language: unknown
• Published: figshare 2020
• Subjects: 160305 Population Trends and Policies; FOS Sociology; 60207 Population Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Bounty Islands
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12408044.v1; https://figshare.com/articles/Mahalia_Bounties_Antipodes_Expedition_November_2004/12408044/1

As freelance wildlife stills photographers Mark Jones and Tui De Roy (under the name of 'The Roving Tortoise Worldwide Nature Photography') have initiated several in-depth projects aimed at expanding public awareness of the conservation value of the subantarctic region and its wildlife. These include: a thorough photo documentation of the NZ islands (at the disposal of the Department of Conservation), a photo book on the NZ Subantarctic Islands and a book on albatrosses of the world, as well as a number of related articles and lectures. To this end DoC has extended a 3-year photography permit (March 2004-2007) covering all subantarctic nature reserves, subject to individual entry permits for which conditions are determined island by island. In compliance with established management parameters, each entry into a minimum impact reserve must take place in the presence of and in conjunction with an active science expedition. In the case of the Bounty Islands, last visited by the Gerry Clark "Totorore" expedition of 1997/98, the first step was to liaise with the scientific community and DoC to identify desirable science project(s), with benefit to management objectives, as well as existing permit holders interested in using our logistics as a platform to carry out their work. A total of eight projects (plus one at Antipodes) were thus brought together and incorporated into the trip, in conjunction with the original photography objectives, carried out with the help of three additional volunteers. Jacinda Amey, with considerable past subantarctic field experience and currently a graduate student in seabird research at Otago University, was the dynamo behind organising, coordinating and executing these science projects. Although the primary focus of the expedition was the Bounty Islands, Antipodes was added to the trip as the seasonal timing allowed for combining science needs with photography interests. Jacinda's past experience enabled her to carry out Antipodean albatross chick banding and counting for Kath Walker's long-term research project on the island. The execution of this research work also provided a photographic opportunity to focus on erect-crested penguin nesting at the peak of chick-rearing activity.