Marine biology students training to meet scientific diving standards enjoyed perfect weather at Motutere Bay last weekend. NIWA scientist Crispin Middleton is pictured on shore.
Marine biology students training to meet scientific diving standards enjoyed perfect weather at Motutere Bay last weekend. NIWA scientist Crispin Middleton is pictured on shore.
Seven marine biologists from around New Zealand have spent some long hours in the lake in the past five days.
The eight-day joint training exercise between NIWA, DOC and Nelson research company Cawthron started in perfect weather conditions at Motutere Bay last weekend.
NIWA scientist Crispin Middleton says the students,who are from Auckland, Whangarei, Nelson and Christchurch, are carrying out a range of practical and theory tests to meet the Australian and New Zealand standards for scientific diving.
He says Lake Taupo has a number of locations to dive regardless of the weather and the visibility is also pretty good, making it an ideal location. Two boats are being used for the exercise, where students are out on the water for up to 12 hours a day.
The group spent the first few days at Motutere and were expected to move to Kuratau later in the week. A zero visibility exercise was also due to be carried out at Lake Okareka near Rotorua.
