Greenshell mussel powder quality standards
Project start: 6 May 2022
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $60,000
Industry funding: $35,000
Industry partner: Aquaculture New Zealand, Cawthron Institute and Greenshell Mussel Powder producers
Region: Nationwide
Working in partnership with producers and Cawthron, Aquaculture New Zealand will develop a set of science-based quality assurance standards for Greenshell mussel powder. This will safeguard a uniquely New Zealand product and demonstrate authenticity within the market. It will also build customer and consumer confidence across high value domestic and international markets.
Developing FLUPSY-based nursery culture to reduce spat losses in the Greenshell mussel aquaculture industry
Project start: 12 May 2022
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $472,000
Industry funding: $318,000
Industry partner: Coromandel Marine Farmers’ Association
Region: Nationwide
This project will build on previous research to scale up a system for nurturing mussel spat in floating upswelling systems (FLUPSYs). FLUPSYs are barge-like nurseries for rearing spat to larger sizes to reduce spat loss when they are seeded out to mussel farms.
Gravity fishing
Project start: 12 April 2022
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $120,437
Industry funding: $86,400
Industry partner: Gravity Fishing Limited
Region: Southland and Wairarapa
This project will trial the Gravity Fishing method and determine its feasibility compared to conventional methods. The Gravity Fishing method is hook and line fishing and supports sustainable, traceable and transparent fishing. Customers order their fish online, which is then delivered directly to the customer, from hook to plate. The project will evaluate and update the online ordering platform to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Whitebait pilot facility
Project start: 15 December 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $988,011
Industry funding: $1,414,853
Industry partner: Premium Marine Technology Limited
Region: Southland
This project will build on prior research and feasibility studies undertaken that have proven the viability of land-based commercial production of whitebait. It will build a pilot production facility capable of demonstrating a continuous production output that can then be scaled-up to become a new commercial aquaculture industry to service domestic demand for whitebait.
Commercial Production of ZealaFoam Packaging
Project start: 30 November 2021
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $472,500
Industry funding: $698,500
Industry partner: Barnes Plastics, Ngāi Tahu Seafood, Sanford, Fiordland Lobster
Region: Nationwide
This project aims to make ZealaFoam® available as a viable, sustainable packaging alternative for the seafood industry (and other primary producers), which currently extensively uses Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) packaging for transportation of fresh produce.
Estuary bioremediation: Pilot trial of land-based seaweed and aquaculture for bioremediation of diffuse source nutrients
Project start: 8 November 2021
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $697,562
Industry funding: $297,840
Industry partner: AgriSea
Region: Waikato
This project will trial the effectiveness of land-based seaweed aquaculture for estuary bioremediation. A pilot-scale facility will pump water from the Waihou River through an aquaculture system containing seaweed. The water will be discharged back into the river while the seaweed is harvested and tested to assess its bioremediation capabilities. The harvested seaweed biomass will be assessed for suitability for applications such as bio-stimulants.
GreenWave: Regenerative ocean farming seaweed pilot
Project start: 20 October 2021
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $1,993,920
Industry funding: $3,016,244
Industry partner: EnviroStrat Limited
Region: Waikato, Bay of Plenty
This project will pilot end-to-end commercial seaweed farming in New Zealand using a community model already developed in the United States. The pilot will include hatchery, farming and processing facilities. This will be a first step towards sustainable seaweed farming in New Zealand, and the creation of a blue carbon and nitrogen market.
Media release: Pilot project aims to establish commercial seaweed farming sector in New Zealand
Ngā huruhuru waitai ō Tangaroa
Project start: 21 September 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $120,000
Industry funding: $20,000
Industry partner: Ngai Tumapuhia a Rangi ki Motuwairaka Inc
Region: East coast of the North Island
This project provides the basis for securing future investment for a developmental programme to increase marine sustainability of kapata kai (traditional/ feral food stocks) across the region of Ngāti Kahungunu. Tangata kaitiaki, hapū, marae and customary gatherers will wānanga (workshop) to assess capability and develop the programme. This will include a plan that upholds the tīkanga (customary practice) of mahinga kai (safeguarding natural resources) alongside the current fisheries management regime.
Recreational fishing self-reporting system
Project start: 7 March 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $60,000
Industry funding: $40,000
Industry partner: Fish Mainland
Region: South Island
This project will develop a self-reporting app for recreational fishers in the South Island Blue Cod Fishery, creating more reliable statistics and data regarding trends in catch and effort for blue cod and bycatch. Information provided will help to ensure the sustainability of the fishery and will better inform management decision making for the shared fishery.
New app to help recreational fishers – Stuff
Marine sector adaptation strategy
Project start: 17 November 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $165,000
Industry funding: $179,700
Industry partner: The Aotearoa Circle Trust
Region: Nationwide
The project will develop a long-term adaptation strategy for New Zealand’s seafood sector that seeks to reduce climate-related risks, build resilience, and capture emerging opportunities. The strategy will form a framework for coordinated and complementary action by government, iwi, businesses, civil society, and science providers. It will include impact indicators and priority actions to be implemented by key stakeholders.
Māui drone project
Project start: 6 May 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $529,000
Industry funding: $695,600
Industry partner: WWF New Zealand, Moana New Zealand, Sanford
Region: North Island
This project is developing a cutting-edge system using a drone equipped with artificial intelligence to survey coastal habitats, and find and track Māui dolphins. The data gathered will improve our understanding and protection of this critically endangered species, and will be used to find ways to best protect them.
Drone project to aid protection of Māui dolphin – Government media release
Māui Drone Project – using technology to save the Māui dolphin (3.34) – YouTube
