As the research began to pay off, attention shifted to the next phase and the institute embarked on an ambitious programme to produce mussels by selecting parents that produced offspring which may grow faster, taste and look better and be economical to process. It is arguably the world's fi rst mussel selective breding
programme with commercial goals, and earned Dr Kaspar and the institute the prestigious President's Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Now, 20 years later, Cawthron's scientists are
drawing closer to the point where commercial mussel spat production becomes a reality. This research and development expertise now includes Pacifi c oysters and paua.
Other aquaculture highlights at the institute include
• collaborative research with Hauraki Maori to trap toxic sea slugs to underpin an analysis of the risks the slugs might pose to the kaimoana harvest
• optimising the growth parameters of algae to help businesses source high-value products
• discovering harmful, toxin-producing algae and developing novel technology to sample algae toxins, and
• collaborating with experts in the United States to produce thousands of geoduck spat, a high-value shellfi sh with strong aquaculture potential. The opening of the Glenhaven Aquaculture Centre in 2011 has further reinforced Cawthron's commitment to the industry. The centre, built at a cost of several million dollars, is the fi rst signifi cant investment in infrastrcuture in more than a decade at Glenhaven. It includes 1200sq m of research and development space, including wet and dry laboratories, offi ces, classrooms and workshops.
Aquatic laboratory services
The staff at the centre focus strongly on taking a
product or technique from aquaculture research through to pilot scale to commercial production on one site. The centre is also home to a consortium of Sanford,
Sealord and the Wakatu Incorporation, which has recently received government funds to take research carried out at the facility to commercial shellfi sh spat production. "Our new facilities have enabled us to work with
industry partners to widen our research to new shellfi sh species," says the chief executive of the Cawthron
THE STAFF FOCUS STRONGLY ON TAKING A PRODUCT OR TECHNIQUE FROM RESEARCH TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION
Institute, Gillian Wratt. "We have been able to respond to the virus that has hit Pacifi c oyster farmers in the northern North Island in a way that wouldn't have been possible in our old, crowded facilities. "The Glen is also being used by visiting scientists and students from New Zealand and overseas universities and research organisations," she says. The Cawthron Institute shows what a practical,
innovative and forward-thinking research centre can achieve. It will continue to contribute signifi cantly toward New Zealand's goal of aquaculture becoming a $1 billion industry.
Providing the New Zealand aquaculture sector with a
comprehensive range of diagnostic and food testing services, including:
Parasitology
Haematology Bacteriology
Biochemistry Toxicology Necropsy
Histopathology General health screening
Diagnostic interpretation and consultation
Nutritional value analysis Feed testing
RESEARCH, CONSULTING AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Aquaculture research Aquaculture impact assessments and consents
Biosecurity and pest management plans
0800 GRIBBLES (0800 474 225) Email: aquatic@gribbles.co.nz www.gribblesvets.co.nz
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 ■
IANZ accredited seafood laboratory
Fisheries assessments and management systems
Adaptive management plans
CAWTHRON INSTITUTE Ph +64 3 548 2319 info@cawthron.org.nz
www.cawthron.org.nz
NZ AQUACULTURE ■
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