Mangōpare takes the temperature in Antarctic waters!

The Moana Project Mangōpare sensor is normally used in New Zealand coastal waters on commercial fishing gear, but last month a sensor made its way to Antarctica on an expedition by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

NZDF scientist Sally Garrett was aboard the HMNZS AOTEAROA during the maiden voyage to resupply the Scott Base and McMurdo Station in February 2022. With her team of four, they conducted a range of science activities to support maritime safety in the frigid southern waters, and included a Mangōpare sensor to complement the other environmental instruments on the voyage.

“While we have real time measurements of the sea surface temperature, it’s really important to understand upper ocean temperature profile,” notes Sally. ‘We deployed the Mangōpare sensor with a fishing rod and reel, and were able to quickly download and view the data. With sea temperatures as low as -2 degrees and air temperature well below -14, sea ice crystals would form on the line as we were recovering the sensor.”  

Developed by the Moana Project, Mangōpare is a small, lightweight temperature and depth sensor designed to be attached to commercial fishing gear. This data is used to improve ocean models to provide more accurate predictions of the ocean currents and temperatures.

Petty Officer Horomia-Kaiwai was pleased to receive a Mangōpare sensor for the AOTEAROA to use in training and for future data collection to support the Moana Project. “We routinely collect ocean temperature profile data with XBT probes while the ship is moving, but with a Mangōpare sensor we can now collect high-resolution data during stationary periods too. It’s got our trainees really engaged about oceanography and the value of collecting this type of data for public science.”

Petty Officer Horomia-Kaiwai holding the Mangōpare sensor.

More information about voyage of the HMNZS AOTEAROA and videos showing the spectacular beauty of the Ross Sea waters can be found here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_LQQX4YISo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtPUMlToS4E

Article written by Dr Peter McComb.