Research undertaken on the following species with funding from MPI-FNZ, DOC, & MBIE

Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Spinetail devilray (Mobula japanica),

Manta ray (Manta birostris)

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

Deepwater nurse shark (Odontaspis ferox)

Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

Mako shark

Porbeagle shark

School shark

Rig

Oceanic whitetip shark

Carpet shark

Smooth and rough skate

Dark and pale ghost shark

Elephantfish

Deepwater sharks

Protected sharks

Shark Reviews

Shark tagging

NPOA-sharks

Shark mortality

Shark risk assessments

Shark significant habitats

I have worked in the following countries; United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, & the Marshall Islands.

Undertaking the role of Chief Scientist, Senior Scientist, Voyage Leader, and scientific crew. In New Zealand, Oman, UAE. Using trawls, traps, longlines, set nets, acoustics, and BRUV’s, in the nearshore and offshore, stratified random surveys (both single and two-phase).

Sharks, Sea Turtles, and Teleost’s

I have been working with Ngāti Toa on intertidal shellfish surveys, as well as fish surveys in Porirua Harbour.

I have also used my shark knowledge to help Ngāi Tahu with shark issues.

I have undertaken work in estuaries investigating shark habitats of significance, crab and shellfish surveys.

Freshwater knowledge as a committee member for the Porirua Whaitua.

STCW

Maritime medical

DIVING-PADI Master

Boat master

CV

NZ Marine Science Society (NZMSS)

Oceania chondrichthyan society (OCS)

American elasmobranch society (AES)

Part of FOWKS a Karori (Local) Freshwater stream and catchment management group.

Theses

Lyon, W.S. 2005. Embryonic development of elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii): experimental analysis across gradients of latitude and temperature as aids for fisheries management. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Canterbury. 115 p.

Lyon, W.S. 2021. The use of estuarine habitat by the rig shark (Mustelus lenticulatus). Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, University of Auckland. 183p.

Recent relevant publications:

Bagley N.W., R.J. Hurst, I. Doonan, K. Michael, Y. Ladroit, W. Lyon, D. Parsons, P. McMillan, D. Stevens, D. MacGibbon, J. Yeoman and B. Bjeirmi (2016). Fish resources assessment of survey of the Arabian Gulf Waters of the UAE: Survey 1 Voyage Report 24th March to 6th June, 2016. Prepared for the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi August 2016. 2016-055WN. 70pp.

Bagley N.W., R.J. Hurst, I. Doonan, K. Michael, Y. Ladroit, W. Lyon, D. Parsons, P. McMillan, D. Stevens, D. MacGibbon, J. Yeoman and B. Bjeirmi (2017). Fish resources assessment of survey of the Arabian Gulf Waters of the UAE: Survey 2 Voyage Report 3rd September to 8th December, 2016 (2016). Prepared for the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi February 2017. 2017-030WN. 75 pp.

Bagley, N., MacGibbon, D, Lyon, W., O’Driscoll, R.; Stevens, D.; Stevenson, M.; Hanchet, S.; Morrison, M.; Parkinson, D.; Beentjes, M.; McMillan, P. (2019). Standards and procedures for Inshore, Middle Depths, and Deepwater fisheries abundance surveys carried out by NIWA, 1991–2014.

Bagley, N.W.; Ballara, S.L.; O’Driscoll, R.L.; Fu, D.; Lyon, W. (2013). A review of hoki and middle depth summer trawl surveys of the Sub-Antarctic, November December 1991–1993 and 2000–2009. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2013/41. 63 p (plus supplements).

Baird, S.J.; Booth, J; Lyon, W.S. (2010). To review the current threat status of selected associated or dependent species. Summary of Work to date for ENV200305.

Beentjes, M.P.; Lyon, W.S.; Stevenson, M.L. (2010). Inshore trawl survey of Canterbury Bight and Pegasus Bay, May–June 2009 (KAH0905). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2010/29.

Beentjes, M.P.; MacGibbon, D.J.; Lyon, W.S. (2013). Inshore trawl survey of Canterbury Bight and Pegasus Bay, April–June 2012 (KAH1207). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2013/36.

Clarke, S.; Smith, N.; Lyon, W.; Francis, M. (2017) WCPFC Shark Post-Release Mortality Tagging Studies. In: IOTC - 13th Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch. IOTC-2017-WPEB13-INF17, San Sebastián, Spain.

Finucci, B., Hurst, R.J., Lyon, W., Bagley, N.W. (2017) Fish Resources Assessment Survey of the Arabian Gulf waters of the UAE. Chapter 4: Trap Video Observations. NIWA Client Report 2017299WN: 50p.

Ford, R.B.; Francis, M.P.; Holland, L.; Clark, M.R.; Duffy, C.A.J.; Dunn, M.R.; Jones, E.; Wells, R. (2018). Qualitative (Level 1) risk assessment of the impact of commercial fishing on New Zealand chondrichthyans: an update for 2017. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 201.

Francis, M. P., Lyon, W. S., Clarke, S. C., Finucci, B., Hutchinson, M. R., Campana, S. E., ... & Smith, N. (2023). Post‐release survival of shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and silky (Carcharhinus falciformis) sharks released from pelagic tuna longlines in the Pacific Ocean. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 33(4), 366-378.

Francis, M. P., Shivji, M. S., Duffy, C. A., Rogers, P. J., Byrne, M. E., Wetherbee, B. M., Tindale, S.C.; Lyon, W.S.; Meyers, M.M. (2019). Oceanic nomad or coastal resident? Behavioural switching in the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). Marine Biology, 166(1), 5.

Francis, M.; Duffy, C.; Lyon, W. (2015) Spatial and temporal habitat use by white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) at an aggregation site in southern New Zealand. Marine and Freshwater Research, 66 (10): 900–918

Francis, M.; Lyon, W.; Jones, E.; Notman, P.; Parkinson, D.; Getzlaff, C. (2012) Rig nursery grounds in New Zealand: a review and survey. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report 95. 50 p.

Francis, M.P.; Jones, E.G.; Ó Maolagáin, C.; Lyon, W.S. (2018). Growth and reproduction of four deepwater sharks in New Zealand waters. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 196. 55 p.

Francis, M.P.; Lyon, W.S. (2012). Review of commercial fishery interactions and population information for eight New Zealand protected fish species. Final Report for Department of Conservation, Contract No.4345.

Francis, M.P.; Lyon, W.S. (2012). Review of research and monitoring studies on New Zealand sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras, 2008−2012. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report 102. 70 p.

Francis, M.P.; Lyon, W.S. (2013). Review of anthropogenic impacts other than fishing on cartilaginous fishes. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 107. 17p.

Francis, M.P.; Lyon, W.S. (2014). Review of commercial fishery interactions and population information for the oceanic whitetip shark, a protected New Zealand species. Final Report for Department of Conservation, Contract No.4528.

Francis, M.P.; Ó Maolagáin, C.; Lyon, W.S. (2018). Growth and reproduction of carpet shark, common electric ray and blind electric ray. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 195. 36 p.

Gillis, J.A.; Rawlinson, K.A.; Bell, J.; Lyon, W.S.; Baker, C.V.H.; Shubin, N.H. (2010). Holocephalan embryos provide evidence for gill arch appendage reduction and opercular evolution in cartilaginous fishes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108 (4) 1507-1512

Lyon, W.; Clarke, S.; Francis, M.; Sanchez, C.; Peatman, T.; Smith, N. (2018). An update on Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission shortfin mako and silky shark post-release mortality tagging studies. WCPFC-SC14-2018/ EB-IP-02. Fourteenth regular session of the Scientific Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Busan, Republic of Korea, 8-16 August 2018.

Lyon, W.; De Joux, P. (2014). A Tracking System for Sharks in Shallow Water. Marine Technology Society Journal, 48(6): 14-20.

Lyon, W.S. (2017). Rig shark in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour. Prepared for Streamlined Environmental Ltd. Client report No. 2017342WN. 10 p.

Lyon, W.S. (2017). Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour shellfish survey design. Client report prepared for Department of Conservation, Client report No. 2017090WN. 17 p.

Lyon, W.S. (2018). Intertidal shellfish survey in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour (Onepoto Arm), November 2017. Prepared for Department of Conservation Client report No. 2018207WN. 33 p.

Lyon, W.S. (2019). The ecosystem role of great white sharks in the Auckland Islands region. Prepared for Department of Conservation. Client report No. 2019174WN. 8 p.

Lyon, W.S. (2020) Potential interactions between sharks and a proposed fish farm -----. NIWA Client Report 2020169WN: 14p.

Lyon, W.S.; Francis, M.P.; Clarke, S. (2017). Shark Tagging: Equipment and training for the estimation of post-release mortality of sharks. Prepared for Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Client report No. 2017413WN. 19 p.

Lyon, W.S.; Francis, M.P.; Notman, P. (2013). Fish resources of Porirua Harbour 2013. Final Report for Ngati Toa, Contract No. NGA13301.

Lyon, W.S.; Francis, R.I.C.C.; Francis, M.P. (2011). Calculating incubation times and hatching dates for embryonic elephant fish (Callorhinchus milii). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. 45 (1) 59–72.

Lyon, W.S.; Horn, P.L. (2011). Length and age of red gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) from trawl surveys of west coast South Island in 2003, 2005, and 2007, with comparisons to earlier surveys in the time series. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/46.

Lyon, W.S.; Michael, K.P. (2015). Survey of intertidal shellfish in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour (Onepoto Arm), February March 2015. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2015/70

Lyon, W.S; Kennedy, L.; Tilney, R.; Leslie, R.; Hampton, I.; Soule, M.; Thompson, F.; Neubauer, P.; Large, K.; A’mar, T. et. al. (2023). Fisheries Resources Assessment Survey (FRAS) Workplan 2023, for the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, January 2023. 80 p.

Lyon, W.S.; Tilney, R.; Soule, M.; Leslie, R. (2023). Fisheries Resources Assessment Survey - 2023 Shakedown Voyages, for the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, March 2023. 46 p.

MacGibbon, D. J., Beentjes, M. P., Lyon, W. S., Ladroit, Y. (2019). Inshore trawl survey of Canterbury Bight and Pegasus Bay, April–June 2018 (KAH1803). New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2019/03, 136p.

Michael, K.P.; Lyon, W.S. (2020). Community survey of cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) in the intertidal zone of Pāuatahanui Inlet, Wellington, November 2019. Prepared for Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet. NIWA Client Report 2020149WN: 60p.

Mormede, S.; Lyon, W.S. (2023). Development and testing of spatial distribution models for selected shark and turtle species. New Zealand Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Report No. 311. 78 p.

O’Driscoll, R.L.; MacGibbon, D.; Fu, D.; Lyon, W.; Stevens, D.W. (2011). A review of hoki and middle depth trawl surveys of the Chatham Rise, January 1992–2010. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2011/47.

Queiroz, N., Humphries, N. E., Couto, A., Vedor, M., Da Costa, I., Sequeira, A. M., ... & Abrantes, K. (2019). Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries. Nature, 572(7770), 461-466.

Queiroz, N., Humphries, N. E., Couto, A., Vedor, M., Da Costa, I., Sequeira, A. M., ... & Abrantes, K. (2021). Reply to: Caution over use of ecological big-data for conservation. Nature, 595, E20-E28. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03464-9

Queiroz, N., Humphries, N. E., Couto, A., Vedor, M., Da Costa, I., Sequeira, A. M., ... & Abrantes, K. (2021). Reply to: Shark mortality cannot be assessed by fishery overlap alone. Nature, 595, E8-E16. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03397-3

WCPFC (2019). Report of the workshop on Joint Analysis of Shark Post-Release Mortality Tagging Results. WCPFC-SC15-2019/EB-WP-01. Fifteenth regular session of the Scientific Committee of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 12-20 August 2019.

Woods, C., Seaward, K., Pryor Rodgers, L., Buckthought, D., Carter, M., Warrick Lyon, Louis Olsen and Matt Smith (2020). Marine High Risk Site Surveillance Programme: Annual Synopsis Report for all High Risk Sites 2019–20 (SOW18048). Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper No: 2020/05. 55 p. + Appendices.

Woods, C; Seaward, K.; Pryor Rodgers, L.; Buckthought, D.; Carter, M.; Lyon, W.; Neill, K.; Olsen, L.; Smith, M.; Tait, L.; Inglis, G. (2019). Marine High Risk Site Surveillance Annual Synopsis Report for all High Risk Sites 2018–19 (SOW18048). Biosecurity New Zealand Technical Paper No: 2019/31.