2025 Fleming Medal

A marine ecologist and conservation biologist, Rochelle has led multidisciplinary teams studying endangered marine species – whales and dolphins in particular.

Rochelle studies large marine animals, including their behaviour, movement, ecology, and population dynamics. She uses novel technology including high-resolution tags, satellite telemetry, drones, and machine learning tools to understand multi-species marine communities.

She communicates her evidence widely to guide research-informed decision making to protect taonga species locally and internationally.

Data from her research on Bryde’s whale has informed the decision to reduce speed for ships traveling through the Hauraki Gulf, which has reduced mortality for these critically endangered whales. Rochelle has led research on the world’s rarest marine dolphin, the Māui dolphin, which has helped to protect this iconic species from overfishing and to understand their chance of recovery.

Rochelle advises international bodies on how to protect marine mammals in the Southern and Pacific Oceans.

“The ocean is critical for a thriving planet but it’s so vast that it’s hard for people to understand the threats,” Rochelle says.

Early in her career, Rochelle saw great value in bringing people with different ideas together to help solve marine issues.

“Innovative, sometimes seemingly impossible ideas are the way forward and we have had some great success using novel approaches to improve the lives of vulnerable species.”

“I hope that people recognise technological innovations as important research tools that reveal the sub-surface lives of marine animals in remote, inaccessible ocean habitats.”

In addition to investing in collaborative, innovative marine research, Rochelle says we need to have “courageous conversations that place the ocean at the centre of all we do”.

"We are ocean people; our ocean space is 14 times larger than our landmass, but we don’t value it like we should.”

“Whales are great messengers to get the public’s attention to talk about important ocean issues,” she said.

Rochelle’s vision is for Aotearoa to become leaders in innovative thinking to solve seemingly intractable problems and ensure a healthy ocean for the future

On receiving this award, Rochelle says: “I am humbled to receive this award, which belongs to the many people and ocean animals that I have been fortunate to work with.”

“I am very grateful for the crowd of pragmatic, future-focused, open-minded and tenacious people that keep going because it does make a difference.”

Fleming Medal:
For distinction in the protection, maintenance, management, improvement, or understanding of the New Zealand environment.

Citation:
To Rochelle Constantine for pioneering research and collaborations that have driven sustainable solutions to protect endangered marine species and habitats.