User:Viewfromthebay/Current Research

Current research
Cawthron has a number of research programmes supported by various government contestable funds, in particular the Endeavour Fund, focused in the following areas:

Growing New Zealand's seafood sector

An international team led by Cawthron is developing novel farming systems enabling multiple shellfish species to be grown in open ocean sites, with sustainable production efficiencies and maintenance costs. Research is underway to increase the sustainability and efficiency of the wild scampi capture fishery and explore new techniques for a land-based production of this high-value species. A study of the factors influencing the feed conversion efficiency of farmed Chinook salmon aims to improve husbandry, health and fish quality, while reducing environmental impacts.

Cawthron currently receives $5M annually as "capability funding" from the New Zealand Government’s Strategic Science Investment Fund for 2 science platforms. The Shellfish Aquaculture Platform aims to enhance the sustainable growth of New Zealand’s shellfish aquaculture industry through reliable seed supply, improved genetics, precision farming methods, new products and species and improved shellfish health.

Ensuring the safety of seafood harvests

The Seafood Safety Platform is led by Cawthron in partnership with AgResearch,  Plant and Food Research and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, to safeguard New Zealand’s seafood export industry. It builds on relationships between researchers, regulators and the seafood sector. The research covers factors that drive harmful algal bloom events, molecular technologies for detection, marine biotoxin analysis, and threats from pathogenic bacteria and viruses.

Emerging organic contaminants pose a risk to New Zealand aquatic ecosystems, have the potential to induce antimicrobial resistance and may be present in food. Cawthron scientists lead a research programme to enhance management of these risks, in partnership with other science providers,  iwi, key community stakeholders,  environmental managers and policy makers.

Realising the potential of marine bioactives and high value nutrition

In a programme funded through the government's "High Value Nutrition" National Science Challenge, Cawthron and Sanford Limited have joined forces to identify and validate the health benefits of Greenshell mussels. The programme will assist the development of high value functional food products.

To tap into the growing interest worldwide in pharmaceuticals based on natural compounds of algal origin, a new programme “Natural compound manipulation for therapeutic applications” began in 2019. This builds on Cawthron’s long experience in algae research and the extraction of bioactive compounds, the Cawthron Institute Culture Collection of Microalgae and the new National Algae Research Centre.

Improving the health of freshwater ecosystems

LAWA, "Land Air Water Aotearoa", a partnership between Regional Councils, Cawthron Institute and the Ministry for the Environment , is one of New Zealand’s largest environmental online data platforms, connecting New Zealanders with their environment through sharing scientific data.

Lakes380, "Our lakes’ health: past, present and future" an international effort jointly led by GNS Science and Cawthron Institute, aims to obtain a nationwide health overview for 10% of New Zealand’s 3800 lakes. As well as characterising present biodiversity and water quality, the team is exploring how and why the lakes have changed over the past 1000 years by collecting and analysing sediment cores. The information is interwoven with traditional Māori knowledge to provide a richer understanding about the value and health of New Zealand’s lakes, as well as the impact of natural and human activity.

Maintaining the health of our oceans

In a new research programme Cawthron leads a multidisciplinary team to develop a new “marine biosecurity toolbox”. Their aim is to prevent marine pests getting a foothold by developing molecular tools to detect them at low densities, and with simulation models assist managers achieve better resource allocation. The project team has participants from over 20 organisations: government, Maori, industry, and education providers.

The design and synthesis of a “smart” antifouling biocide is the aim of another project. Antifouling compounds must be potent against problematic biofouling organisms when applied to artificial surfaces in the sea but benign against marine life if released into the environment, as well as cost-effective to synthesize at an industrial scale.

Knowledge and toolsets to support co-management of estuaries