Meet our budding researcher Kutimeni!

 

Kutimeni returning from sampling for mangrove oysters in the Laucala Bay of the Rewa Delta.

As part of this project, we would also love to build capacity for our our future marine scientists in the Pacific by teaching applied skills in field work, sample preparation and data analysis - crucial aspects of research skill development. We would like to introduce Mr. Kutimeni, who has been assisting the team with the collection and identification of samples. He introduces himself below:

"My name is Kutimeni Peleti Kutimeni, and I am 24 years of age from the beautiful island of Tuvalu. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Marine Science) in 2021 from the University of the South Pacific. I am currently undertaking my Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science, and one of the research projects that I am currently assisting on is the identification of mangrove oyster species in the Laucala Bay Area using morphological features under the supervision of Dr Chinthaka. I am happy to be involved with this project!"

We would like to extend our gratitude to our pledgers for making this opportunity available. There were some delays in the accounting but we are full steam ahead from now! Vinaka vakalevu!

 

Kutimeni removing oysters from the stems and root structures of Rhizophora mangroves in the Rewa Delta. All sampling locations are geo-tagged for later analysis.

 

Kutimeni wading through the intertidal Rhizophora zone in the Rewa Delta in search of samples to collect

 

Kutimeni assisting in the sorting of oysters by morphological characteristics at the Sea Water Laboratory of the University of the South Pacific.

 

Kutimeni collecting samples right off the jetty wall at the Marine Campus in Laucala Bay, Rewa Delta.

 

Kutimeni wading towards the support boat as he returns to the USP Marine Campus to analyze his samples. It's not easy work, thank you for your commitment Kutimeni!