Mark Lewis

Mark Lewis is the Minister for heavy things. His role on research trips varies from looking after the sampling equipment (Video systems, winches, epibenthic sleds and mooring systems) to being the biologist (or fish squeezer as some describe it).

Mark's main duties, at present, are within the stock assessment (acoustics) group and the habitat mapping group. He has been working for CSIRO for nearly 15 years and has worked mainly in the area of stock Assessment. He has been the field person sent out, on a variety of vessels, to collect the biological samples and look after the sampling equipment whilst at sea.

"The habitat mapping is important work to do," says Mark. There are many benefits for the community. We are able to tell people what is actually out there on the seafloor. This information can then be fed into the marine protected area processes to help determine what should be protected and why.

"An example was the work around Macquarie Island, where we collected footage of the seafloor from the eastern side of the island. The footage showed how irregular and fragile the seafloor was. This information led to the creation of the marine protected area on that side of the island," said Mark.

"On this voyage I will be part of the team looking after the camera system. This includes the large winch with 3000 metres of optic fiber cable, the new deep video system that has stereo digital video cameras and a digital stills camera. My role will be to ensure that the system runs smoothly and help drive the system above the seafloor when required.

"I will also be getting the eppi-benthic sled ready and maintaining the sled during the voyage. The sled slides along the seafloor collecting anything in it's way. This sled was designed to sample seamounts and has been used from Tasmania to Norfolk Ridge and the Lord Howe rise.

"I will also help to process biological samples collected during the voyage," said Mark.

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Updated: 29/03/07