Over the last few months I have been staying on Quarantine Island (Kamau Taurua) for the Year 10 Science Extension Programme run by the University of Otago Marine Studies Centre.

About 25 Year 10 high school students from around the South Island attended the three residential blocks for a total of 8 days.

My group (group Pango) estimated the population demographics of the common Shore Crabs (Hemigrapsus Sexdentatus) found on north Portobello Beach. 

I learnt how to use mark-recapture techniques to estimate the abundance of crabs, to record, analyse and present our data. The overall project helped to investigate the health of animal populations which is key to conservation management. It was a really good experience not only to understand the Science behind studying Marine Populations and Ecosystems, but to also get a chance to meet other students interested in Marine Science. For completing the extension programme we received a Royal Society Bronze Crest.

Angus Norton