In the top photograph staff from an independent research company are carrying out biological monitoring of substrates in the Ohinemuri River near to the Martha Mine Processing Plant. Substrates are plates that are left in the river to allow natural fauna and flora to attach to them. The samples that are found are analysed to determine whether there have been any changes to the numbers of species and numbers within each species of aquatic organisms. This gives a very good indication of the health of the river.
The bottom photograph shows staff from an independent research company electric fishing. A charge of electricity generated from the backpack worn by the person on the right briefly stuns fish which are then caught, counted and classfied before being returned unharmed to the water.
