I enjoy exploring the marine world in all the ways that a freelance ecologist/diver/skipper/worm identifier can. I have been a research associate to Dr. Robin Wilson of the University of Victoria, Instructor (Marine Invertebrate Biology) at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, and a scientist/diver in support of Antarctic and Fiordland research programmes. I have fulfilled the roles of Technical officer in the Benthic ecology group of the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute (now Department of Primary Industries of Australia) and the Museum of Victoria. In addition I have been an educator at the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre and directed graduate projects at the Auckland University of Technology, examined Tauranga Harbour introduced marine pests, conducted Tuhua marine reserve fish tagging, and supervised projects for the School for International Training. I especially enjoy meeting new polychaete worms and amphipods and examining how their distribution patterns inform us
Experience
My field experience complements my laboratory work with macrofauna to benefit Benthic Science Limited clients. I have recently developed statistical routines in 'R' that complement standard multivariate pattern analyses conducted in Primer.
Vessels: New Zealand maritime Safety Authority Certificate of competency as Local Launch Operator 2004, New Zealand Coast Guard boatmaster 2001, MAFRI boat handling 1999, Close to a year of commercial sea time logged.
SCUBA Diving: PADI Divemaster, New Zealand OSH certified scientific diver, Ice diver (NIWA - Steve Mercer), Published underwater photographer, u/w videographer, >450 work- dives totalling over 200 hrs underwater, Red Cross first aid, DAN oxygen provider
Selected Publications
McArthur, M.A. (2006) Collecting kina in 12m at 78d S. Dive New Zealand/Dive Pacific November/December.
McArthur, M.A. (2005) Marine Invertebrate Biology. Bay of Plenty Polytechnic Tauranga.
McArthur, M.A. (2004) Marine Invertebrate Practical Workbook. Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Tauranga.
Wilson, R.S., P.A. Hutchings and C.J. Glasby (eds) (2003) Polychaetes: An interactive identificaiton guide. Delta Software (c) CSIRO. (Co-authored Sabellidae key)
McArthur, M.A, P.E. Brewin and P.K. Probert (2002) Assessment of effects on benthos of disposal of dredge spoil from Bluff Harbour. Technical report to Montgomery Watson Harza.
McArthur, M.A. and P.K. Probert (2000) Benthic fauna of the banks of teh lower harbour channel, Otago Harbour. Technical report to Salmond Anderson Heath Limited.
Currie, D.R., M.A. McArthur and B.F. Cohen (2000) Reproduction and distribution of the invasive European fan worm Sabella spallanzanii in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Marine Biology 136:645-656.
Cohen, B.F. D.R. Currie and M.A. McArthur (2000) Epibenthic community structure in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 51:689-702.
Cohen, B.F., M.A. McArthur and G.D. Parry (2000) Exotic species in Western Port Bay. MAFRI Report 38.
Parry, G.D. , B.F. Cohen, M.A. McArthur, and N. Hickman (2000) Distribution and abundance of Asterias amurensis in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. MAFRI Report 35.
Parry, G.D., B.F. Cohen, M.A. McArthur, and N. Hickman (2000) Asterias amurensis incursion at Port Phillip Bay. Victorian Incursion Management Response Report 2.
Currie, D.R., M.A. McArthur, and B.F. Cohen (1999) Exotic marine pests in the Port of Geelong, Victoria. p227-246 In: Hewitt, C.L., M.L. Campbell, R.E. Thresher, and R.B. Marine (eds.). Marine Biological Invasions of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. CRIMP. Tehcnical Report No. 20 CSIRO.
