The Columba College pupil, of Dunedin, said she ''loved'' the chance to interact with the marine life taken to the market in the aquavan.
The market was its first public outing.
University of Otago New Zealand Marine Studies Centre programme director Sally Carson said the aquavan was a purpose-built vehicle for transporting marine animal and plant collections for teaching and research in the community.
The marine life on show at the market included sea cucumbers, camouflage crabs and kina.
The van was equipped with chilled recirculating seawater tanks to reduce stress on the animals being transported and allowed researchers to collect specimens from remote sites.
The van was ''an incredible new resource'' which would enhance research opportunities and allow public educators to visit schools across Otago, Southland and the West Coast, she said.
