title: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in International Contexts

authors: Medvedev, Oleg N.

abstract: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) is a tool used by psychologists to measure negative emotions like depression, anxiety, and stress. It provides individual scores for each emotion and an overall score for general mental health. The DASS is used worldwide in both general and clinical populations. In this chapter, the background of depression, anxiety, and stress is discussed along with the history of the scale’s development and validation. The DASS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of these negative emotions. This tool has been translated into several languages and has been tested across different cultures. The importance of measuring negative emotions is significant because it helps clinicians identify and treat mental health problems. The DASS is a useful tool for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment progress for those experiencing such negative emotions.

text: Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in International Contexts The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) is a tool used by psychologists to measure negative emotions like depression, anxiety, and stress. It provides individual scores for each emotion and an overall score for general mental health. The DASS is used worldwide in both general and clinical populations. In this chapter, the background of depression, anxiety, and stress is discussed along with the history of the scale’s development and validation. The DASS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of these negative emotions. This tool has been translated into several languages and has been tested across different cultures. The importance of measuring negative emotions is significant because it helps clinicians identify and treat mental health problems. The DASS is a useful tool for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment progress for those experiencing such negative emotions.

year: 2023-06-13

title: Boat electrofishing survey of the lower Waikanae River, Ratanui Lagoon, and Lake Waitawa

authors: Hicks, Brendan J.

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: We conducted the first electrofishing boat survey of the lower Waikanae River, Ratanui Lagoon, and Lake Waitawa on 11-12 July 2006. We caught five introduced and five native fish species in 4.74 km of fished length from a total of nine sites. Assuming that the bow-mounted anodes caught fish within a 1-m radius, the width fished was 4 m, and the total area fished was 16,200 m² or 1.62 ha.
We landed a total of 125 fish comprising five introduced and five native fish species at the nine fished sites (Table 3). Shortfin eels were the most numerous species but are mostly not included in this total. We did not bring eels on board because of the handling time this involved, except for two sites 263 and 264 where densities were 1.19 fish 100 m⁻², which is moderate density of eels compared to previous boat electrofishing one-pass estimates, perch, tench, and rudd were found at most sites in Lake Waitawa. Goldfish had a much more restricted distribution, and were caught at only one site. Four adult brown trout were caught in the lower Waikanae River. Because of their large size, adult brown trout and tench comprised a significant part of the fish biomass where they occurred.
No koi carp were caught, probably because of a combination of low density and low water temperature. Water temperature at the time of fish (10.2-10.5 °C in Lake Waitawa) may have influenced the susceptibility to koi carp to electrofishing. Common carp are known to seek winter refuge in deep water at temperatures below 11°C. Electrofishing is limited to the upper 3 m of the water column and would be ineffective if koi carp, Cyprinus carpio) are also less active during periods of low water. Inactivity reduces the probability of encountering fish and lowers catch rates. The optimal period for sampling koi carp begins as the water warms in spring, when koi carp move into the littoral shallows to spawn and are therefore highly visible. Common carp in Australia begin to spawn when water temperatures reach 15°C and koi carp have been observed spawning in New Zealand in Lake Waikare as early as 11 September in a water temperature 15.3°C. However, it is encouraging that no small koi carp were caught because this is evidence that breeding is not occurring in Lake Waitawa or Ratanui Lagoon, where koi carp are known to occur (Ian Cooksley, DOC, pers. comm.).
Previous fishing with the electrofishing boat in the North Island, in similar conductivities and habitats and with similar machine settings, has caught a full size range of eels, smelt, bullies, grey mullet, rudd, brown bullhead catfish, perch, tench, goldfish, and koi carp. Thus we believe that these results reflect an accurate picture of fish abundance in the Waikanae area but we acknowledge that fishing in spring or summer in higher water temperatures is likely to increase the likelihood of catching koi carp.
This fish data have been entered into NIWA’s New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database as card numbers 15190 to 15198.

text: Boat electrofishing survey of the lower Waikanae River, Ratanui Lagoon, and Lake Waitawa We conducted the first electrofishing boat survey of the lower Waikanae River, Ratanui Lagoon, and Lake Waitawa on 11-12 July 2006. We caught five introduced and five native fish species in 4.74 km of fished length from a total of nine sites. Assuming that the bow-mounted anodes caught fish within a 1-m radius, the width fished was 4 m, and the total area fished was 16,200 m² or 1.62 ha.
We landed a total of 125 fish comprising five introduced and five native fish species at the nine fished sites (Table 3). Shortfin eels were the most numerous species but are mostly not included in this total. We did not bring eels on board because of the handling time this involved, except for two sites 263 and 264 where densities were 1.19 fish 100 m⁻², which is moderate density of eels compared to previous boat electrofishing one-pass estimates, perch, tench, and rudd were found at most sites in Lake Waitawa. Goldfish had a much more restricted distribution, and were caught at only one site. Four adult brown trout were caught in the lower Waikanae River. Because of their large size, adult brown trout and tench comprised a significant part of the fish biomass where they occurred.
No koi carp were caught, probably because of a combination of low density and low water temperature. Water temperature at the time of fish (10.2-10.5 °C in Lake Waitawa) may have influenced the susceptibility to koi carp to electrofishing. Common carp are known to seek winter refuge in deep water at temperatures below 11°C. Electrofishing is limited to the upper 3 m of the water column and would be ineffective if koi carp, Cyprinus carpio) are also less active during periods of low water. Inactivity reduces the probability of encountering fish and lowers catch rates. The optimal period for sampling koi carp begins as the water warms in spring, when koi carp move into the littoral shallows to spawn and are therefore highly visible. Common carp in Australia begin to spawn when water temperatures reach 15°C and koi carp have been observed spawning in New Zealand in Lake Waikare as early as 11 September in a water temperature 15.3°C. However, it is encouraging that no small koi carp were caught because this is evidence that breeding is not occurring in Lake Waitawa or Ratanui Lagoon, where koi carp are known to occur (Ian Cooksley, DOC, pers. comm.).
Previous fishing with the electrofishing boat in the North Island, in similar conductivities and habitats and with similar machine settings, has caught a full size range of eels, smelt, bullies, grey mullet, rudd, brown bullhead catfish, perch, tench, goldfish, and koi carp. Thus we believe that these results reflect an accurate picture of fish abundance in the Waikanae area but we acknowledge that fishing in spring or summer in higher water temperatures is likely to increase the likelihood of catching koi carp.
This fish data have been entered into NIWA’s New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database as card numbers 15190 to 15198.

year: 2006

title: Mātauranga Māori to inform understanding of population dynamics and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary, Bay of Plenty.

authors: Kettle, Tyla

abstract: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. They hold significant value to Māori as they connect the whenua (land), awa (river) and moana (ocean), and are an important source of kaimoana (seafood) including shellfish. However, due to increased anthropogenic pressures, many estuaries are degraded, affecting taonga (Māori treasure) species such as pipi (Paphies australis). My thesis uses kaupapa Māori methodology and is co-developed with Ngāti Whakahemo, tangata whenua (people of the land) of Waihī Estuary. This project fundamentally draws upon mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge), combined with western science to map the historic and current distribution, abundance and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary; as well as explore the perceptions of threats to pipi and estuary ecology from tangata whenua and the regional authority. 
Participatory mapping was used via kōrero/interviews with kaumātua to identify sites of significance for pipi, which were then sampled in November 2020. Mātauranga ā iwi from Ngāti Whakahemo informed the sampling locations. Previous pipi sampling methodology and protocols undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were used to facilitate temporal comparisons of pipi distribution and abundance. Environmental factors including sediment grain size, organic content, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were also measured to help understand what drives the population dynamics of pipi. Perceptions of tangata whenua and staff members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) were also explored following methods similar to Klain et al. (2018) and implementing a dread risk tool via participatory mapping.
Results show that culturally significant sites identified by kaumātua support high pipi abundances of large size (40mm+), with low abundances of pipi in the upper reaches of the estuary. The inclusion of sites identified by MPI allowed for more comprehensive survey on pipi population dynamics by utilising a stratified survey design. Pipi size and abundance was significantly correlated with environmental factors with high pipi densities associated with medium grain size fractions and low levels of TN, TP and organic content. Over harvesting was perceived by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members as the dominant threat to pipi abundance and Waihī Estuary. Nutrients related to sewage inputs and runoff were rated as the second highest perceived threat and diseased shellfish ranked third by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members. 
This study demonstrates that the sharing of mātauranga ā iwi can fundamentally inform western science methods and can be used as an approach to research in the marine science realm. The research space was shared by researchers and kaumātua, was honourable of the mātauranga, iwi voices were heard and a co-developed field survey plan/research plan was produced. Iwi concerns were made a priority throughout, and incorporated into the monitoring, mapping and management frameworks. Thus, I had a Māori-centred agenda which is important as Ngāti Whakahemo are looking to utilise the results from my research to inform their iwi environmental management plan. This approach will help to strengthen current marine management practices and in turn Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems due to iwi environmental management plans being informed by such results.

text: Mātauranga Māori to inform understanding of population dynamics and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary, Bay of Plenty. Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. They hold significant value to Māori as they connect the whenua (land), awa (river) and moana (ocean), and are an important source of kaimoana (seafood) including shellfish. However, due to increased anthropogenic pressures, many estuaries are degraded, affecting taonga (Māori treasure) species such as pipi (Paphies australis). My thesis uses kaupapa Māori methodology and is co-developed with Ngāti Whakahemo, tangata whenua (people of the land) of Waihī Estuary. This project fundamentally draws upon mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge), combined with western science to map the historic and current distribution, abundance and health of pipi in Waihī Estuary; as well as explore the perceptions of threats to pipi and estuary ecology from tangata whenua and the regional authority. 
Participatory mapping was used via kōrero/interviews with kaumātua to identify sites of significance for pipi, which were then sampled in November 2020. Mātauranga ā iwi from Ngāti Whakahemo informed the sampling locations. Previous pipi sampling methodology and protocols undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) were used to facilitate temporal comparisons of pipi distribution and abundance. Environmental factors including sediment grain size, organic content, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were also measured to help understand what drives the population dynamics of pipi. Perceptions of tangata whenua and staff members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) were also explored following methods similar to Klain et al. (2018) and implementing a dread risk tool via participatory mapping.
Results show that culturally significant sites identified by kaumātua support high pipi abundances of large size (40mm+), with low abundances of pipi in the upper reaches of the estuary. The inclusion of sites identified by MPI allowed for more comprehensive survey on pipi population dynamics by utilising a stratified survey design. Pipi size and abundance was significantly correlated with environmental factors with high pipi densities associated with medium grain size fractions and low levels of TN, TP and organic content. Over harvesting was perceived by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members as the dominant threat to pipi abundance and Waihī Estuary. Nutrients related to sewage inputs and runoff were rated as the second highest perceived threat and diseased shellfish ranked third by kaumātua and BOPRC staff members. 
This study demonstrates that the sharing of mātauranga ā iwi can fundamentally inform western science methods and can be used as an approach to research in the marine science realm. The research space was shared by researchers and kaumātua, was honourable of the mātauranga, iwi voices were heard and a co-developed field survey plan/research plan was produced. Iwi concerns were made a priority throughout, and incorporated into the monitoring, mapping and management frameworks. Thus, I had a Māori-centred agenda which is important as Ngāti Whakahemo are looking to utilise the results from my research to inform their iwi environmental management plan. This approach will help to strengthen current marine management practices and in turn Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems due to iwi environmental management plans being informed by such results.

year: 2021