SFF Futures projects: seafood and aquatic
The projects are listed according to their start dates. The latest project is at the top.
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.
Mussel float attachment project
Project start: 5 March 2021
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $72,500
Industry funding: $72,500
Industry partner: Marine Farming Association Inc
Region: Tasman/Marlborough
This project aims to improve the float attachment methods used in mussel farming. It seeks to reduce reliance on plastic, especially polyethylene rope, and minimise the number of floats lost from farms.
Evaluating management procedures and development of a Harvest Control Rule for BCO 5
Project start: 1 March 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $32,000
Industry funding: $48,000
Industry partner: BCO 5 Association Inc
Region: Southland
This project pilot will develop and simulate testing of a variety of harvest control rules for the Blue Cod fishery in the South Island. Fish stocks are currently assessed every five years. This project suggests that total allowable commercial catch be monitored yearly and adjusted based on the health of the fishery to promote sustainable management and prevent overfishing.
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.
Transforming mussel waste into valuable product
Project start: 17 November 2020
Project length: 9 months
MPI funding: $313,000
Industry funding: $471,000
Industry partner: Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited
Region: Auckland/Tauranga
Currently, mussel shell waste is sent to landfill at a cost to both producers and the environment. This project will assess the potential of an innovative mechanochemical technology to transform mussel shells into calcium carbonate products for use across industry sectors.
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.