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Amy Fowler from Memphis, Tennessee was a 2007 Fulbright US Graduate Student who completed a Master of Science degree in Marine Science at the University of Auckland. While most of her fellow grantees recently returned to the US, Amy will extend her stay in New Zealand by another two years thanks to a special supplementary University of Auckland Fulbright Scholarship.
The receding tide sparkles as the noon day sun shines over the mudflat. Carrying my crab traps, buckets and bait, I manoeuvre through the mangroves, walking quickly to avoid sinking into the anoxic mud. Pulling in the crab traps set the day before, I wave to the local sailors and pleasantries are yelled as they make their way down the estuary. Always the same question: “How many did ya’ get today, Amy?” A quick look into the traps shows a good number: eleven. Highly aggressive, Charybdis japonica throws up its chelae (claws)
at this sudden invasion of privacy and scuttles around the trap, trying
to find the best vantage point to nip my fingers. Opening the trap I find
not only C. japonica but cushion stars, hermit crabs, a couple
species of molluscs and juvenile fish. Having being pinched a couple of
times in the past, I press C. japonica’s chelae together,
hold them firmly next to the carapace (shell) and place them in buckets
for the journey home. Walking back to the car, I am approached by a couple of onlookers and I smile because this is one of my favourite parts of my studies. I have found New Zealanders a very inquisitive people, not at all judgemental, just curious about the world around them. Not afraid to ask questions, they seem to relish the information about my project and are constantly making me question myself and my studies in a productive way. Although this is a small snapshot of my Fulbright experience, this is one of the most important ones to me. My Fulbright project revolves around a species of invasive paddle crab, Charybdis japonica, originally from Japan and now found in the Waitemata Harbour and surrounding estuaries in Auckland. Although first discovered in the Waitemata in 2000, no research has been conducted on how this species is interacting with native organisms or its reproductive patterns in this new environment. Over the past year, I have demonstrated that C. japonica consumes native bivalves and mud crabs in aquarium assays. A single crab can eat up to 37 juvenile bivalves in a 24-hour period. This has important implications for some economically and recreationally important species of bivalves as well as other key estuarine species. Although my Fulbright grant ended at the end of November, my stay in New Zealand has been extended because of my love for the country, its people and my studies. Thanks to a University of Auckland Fulbright Scholarship, I am staying in New Zealand to complete a PhD program in Marine Science, continuing to study the existing impacts of C. japonica and indicate what impacts may become evident as the invasion progresses. Unlike other Fulbright grantees, I have made my home in the rural area of Leigh, an hour north of Auckland. With the ocean on the doorstep of this small town, my life revolves around the sea and connected community. Constantly diving and boating, my friends and I fish and gather kina (sea urchins) and crayfish. I have become involved in the local men’s footy (soccer) team and our laboratory has a competing touch rugby team. In April, I will complete the 100km in 36 hours Oxfam Trailwalker event
with members of the laboratory to raise money for international aid relief.
Any sponsors are welcomed - please get in touch! Because I hope to instruct
at the college level, I also assist in teaching undergraduate courses
for Auckland University and visiting study abroad groups. In my nonexistent
spare time, I have been learning Spanish and classical guitar as well
as trying my hand at conquering New Zealand recipes. Although I eat, breathe
and sleep invasive crustaceans while at the Leigh Marine Laboratory, I
have been able to take time away from the crabs to do some travelling
through New Zealand with friends and family.
There is no way to adequately explain how this Fulbright year has affected my life or try to show through words what only my eyes have seen. I have experienced moments I never thought I would (sand surfing, camping in a snow storm at the base of Mt. Cook, kayaking with seals, preparing a hangi, swimming with dolphins, walking the 50km Tongariro Northern Circuit, bathing in natural hot springs and docking lambs) and made life-long friendships with people from around the world. There are still moments when I have to ask myself if I am dreaming, if what I am seeing and experiencing is really there. I have been incredibly lucky to have been given this opportunity to experience a whole different culture and environment here in New Zealand. I can only hope I have touched as many lives in such a way that I have been touched while living and travelling through this amazing land. Here’s to several more years of learning, not only about crabs but New Zealand and its people as well. |
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