Seabed Study Cruise

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32195, 14 January 1970, Page 26

Seabed Study Cruise

(N.Z. Press Association) WHANGAREI, Jan. 13. Six scientists left Whangarei today on board the 986-ton ship Taranui to carry out research on the seabed off Canterbury and Otago. Led by a woman, Dr P. A. Luekens, the party will in-l vestigate the seabed on the i continental shelf of the Canj terbury Bight, dredging and trawling to a depth of 900 fathoms in places. I The 16-day cruise has the i object of increasing know-

ledge of shellfish on the seabed. At least 65 separate points are to be investigated over an area measuring 120 miles by 100 miles. Besides dredging and trawling, the scientific party will take samples of sediment on the seabed. The head technician with the party, Mr W. L. Main, of Wellington, has made several trips before on similar research projects. He said this cruise was.

organised by the Oceanographic Institute. When his party completed its programme, other'groups of New Zealand scientists will make cruises until June. These will include research on marine biology, geology and hydrography. Mr Main said that although he was concerned with research, already much of what had been learned bad been put to practical use. Some oil prospectors used {information from the insti-j tute to discover the sediment lin possible oil-bearing areas.' Global Marine, of America,: had taken data on phosphor-: lite nodules found on the! Chatham* Rise. Phosphorite! could be used for fertiliser.!