Field Assistants at the Fitz: Seabird and Plastic Pollution Research
"Field Assistants at the Fitz" highlights the valuable contributions made by our field assistants.
"Field Assistants at the Fitz" highlights the valuable contributions made by our field assistants. Without them, much of our research would be impossible. Here, we feature field assistants supporting research on honeyguide-human cooperation, brood parasites-host coevolution, as well as those who have worked on Marion and Gough Islands assisting with seabird and plastic pollution research.
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My first job as an overwintering field assistant on the Fitz seabird project at Marion Island was a magical experience in itself, but it also exposed me to the world of seabirds. It has since given me the opportunity to travel far and wide to study and assist on various seabird projects - from remote islands such as Gough Island in the South Atlantic, to the Antarctic continent, and the oceans in between. And most importantly it instilled in me a love and passion to work to conserve these magnificent creatures and the lands they call home. ~ Kim Stevens |
The experience of working with seabirds in the remote, and harsh sub-Antarctic environment has shaped my career a biologist. Working with Peter Ryan at the Fitz has given me the opportunity to experience the making of world-class research, from data collection through to publication, and have inspired me to continue down this path where I am currently involved in developing new methods of data collection and analysis using bird-borne data loggers. ~ Stefan Schoombie
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Spending 13 months on Marion Island as a field assistant monitoring the population success of albatrosses and petrels was a life-changing experience that kick-started my conservation career. Sampling marine plastics onboard the S.A. Agulhas II Research Vessel was an incredible experience which resulted in the publication of several academic papers. Prof. Peter Ryan's dedication to plastic pollution research has given me incredible opportunities, for which I am extremely grateful. ~ Vonica Perold |
Oppel, S., Clark, B. L., Risi, M. M., Horswill, C., Converse, S. J., Jones, C. W., Osborne, A. M., Stevens, K., Perold, V., Bond, A. L., Wanless, R. M., Cuthbert, R., Cooper, J. and Ryan, P. G. 2022. Cryptic population decrease due to invasive species predation in a long-lived seabird supports need for eradication. Journal of Applied Ecology 59: 2059–2070.
Connan, M., Schoombie, S., Schoombie, J., Dilley, B. and Ryan, P.G. 2022. Natural recolonisation of sub-Antarctic Marion Island by Common Diving Petrels Pelecanoides urinatrix. Ostrich 93: 271–279.
Suaria, G., Achtypi, A., Perold, V., Lee, J.R., Pierucci, A., Bornman, T.G. and Ryan, P.G. 2020. Microfibers in oceanic surface waters: a global characterization. Science Advances 6 (23).