The Team
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor has a wealth of experience, 30 years, in New Zealand freshwater ecology. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, and began studies on native fish distribution in South Westland in 1984. He was then employed by Fisheries Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and, after 1992, with NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) as a senior technical officer. Mark has written and co-written scientific papers on a range of fish research topics from planktonic fish distribution in Canterbury's high country lakes, to growth in eels and trout. He has prepared a large number of reports on native and introduced fish distributions in South Island Rivers, and whitebait spawning habitat enhancement. Mark has also developed a national database on whitebait spawning habitats to facilitate their long-term protection.
Mark continued with his interests when he formed Aquatic Ecology Limited (AEL) in 2001. His focus was to provide a specialist company which evaluates ecological issues associated with a range of man-induced activities such as stormwater discharges, irrigation water uptake, catchment development, or a range of other impacts.
Mark has a reputation for pragmatism, and is well-trusted by local authorities at presenting a balanced viewpoint of the environment. In his spare time, Mark served in a voluntary capacity on the Styx River Living Laboratory Trust for five years, and still has a keen interest in this increasingly urbanised catchment.
Malcolm Main
With 30 years experience behind him, Malcolm is an expert in freshwater ecology and water quality. Malcolm has a MSc honours degree and holds a Bachelors degree in both Zoology and Botany. He also has experience in estuarine ecology. Malcolm has written a number of scientific papers on the ecology of New Zealand's native fish, and many reports on water quality and ecology in Canterbury. These include aspects of both chemical and microbiological quality, stormwater, and the effects of buffers strips on water quality.
Malcolm has worked for the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and worked for 16 years as a Water Quality Scientist for Environment Canterbury. He has also undertaken consultancy work for the Christchurch City Council, other local authorities and farmers.
Malcolm revels in the variety and challenges of environmental science. This could be interpreting the nuances of water quality data, identifying native fish habitats, undertaking night surveys, electric fishing, or invertebrate surveys.
Malcolm is an enthusiastic outdoorsman, and enjoys hunting, fishing, and boating. He also manages two farms, and understands the challenges of the rural environment, but with an understanding of the associated ecological issues.
Riley Payne
After graduating with a BSc in Biology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Canterbury, Riley began work with Aquatic Ecology in 2020. He has experience in a broad range of scientific field skills, most of which relate to freshwater ecology. Some of these field skills include water quality sampling, fish and periphyton identification, and trout spawning surveys. Riley is a qualified electric fishing machine operator, and is comfortable in all environments. Outside of work, Riley plays the trumpet for various broadway musicals, and enjoys a range of outdoor activities, such as cycling , skiing, and rock climbing.