Climate change threatens marine ecosystems through mechanisms such as marine heatwaves and ocean acidification, and exacerbates existing declines of taonga (treasured) marine species. Species that are used for kaimoana (seafood) and mahinga kai (customary food gathering) are of special concern. Māori communities, and commercial and recreational fishermen have observed changes in the distribution and health of kaimoana as ocean temperatures have risen and marine heatwaves have increased in frequency and severity.
The effects of marine heatwaves on kaimoana are poorly understood; it would be useful to know if some populations are more resilient to marine heatwaves than others. We are focussing on three taonga - pāua, kina and kōura (the abalone Haliotis iris, urchin Evechinus chloroticus and crayfish Jasus edwardsii, respectively).
This project is co-designed and produced with Māori and other local community members to establish a baseline for the resilience and vulnerability of marine taonga species to marine heatwave events. By quantifying heat stress response in these species using transcriptomics, we will understand how the organisms are responding to marine heatwaves, and proactively identify genetic mechanisms for supporting climate resilience in marine taonga species. This will help manage these species in a future impacted by climate change.