Current research
editCawthron has a number of research programmes supported by various government contestable funds, in particular the Endeavour Fund[1], 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.[2][3][4][5] 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.[6] 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.[7][8]
Cawthron currently receives $5M annually as "capability funding" from the New Zealand Government’s Strategic Science Investment Fund[9] for 2 science platforms.[10] The Shellfish Aquaculture Platform[11] 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[12][13] 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.[14]
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,[15][16] iwi, key community stakeholders, environmental managers and policy makers.[17]
Realising the potential of marine bioactives and high value nutrition
In a programme funded through the government's "High Value Nutrition" National Science Challenge,[18] Cawthron and Sanford Limited[19] 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.[20]
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.[21] This builds on Cawthron’s long experience in algae research and the extraction of bioactive compounds, the Cawthron Institute Culture Collection of Microalgae[22] and the new National Algae Research Centre.[23][24]
Improving the health of freshwater ecosystems
LAWA, "Land Air Water Aotearoa"[25], 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.[26][27][28]
Lakes380, "Our lakes’ health: past, present and future"[29] 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[30] 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.[31][32][33]
Maintaining the health of our oceans
In a new research programme[34] 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.[35] 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 "Manaaki Taha Moana: Oranga Taiao, Oranga Tangata". Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ "Endeavour Fund | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment". www.mbie.govt.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ Neal, Tracy (2017-01-23). "Work begins to develop open-ocean marine farms". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cawthron Institute: Research Enabling Open Ocean Aquaculture". cawthron.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ Meij, Sara (2016-10-03). "Open ocean farming project set to boost New Zealand exports". Stuff. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Watson, Mike (2017-01-23). "Shellfish farming research team visits Marlborough Sounds". Stuff. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cawthron Institute: Research Ka Hao te Rangatahi". cawthron.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ "Cawthron Institute: Research King salmon feed conversion efficiency (FCE)". cawthron.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ O'Connell, Tim (2017-05-15). "Research fit for a king (salmon)". Nelson Mail. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Strategic Science Investment Fund". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cawthron Institute's science platforms | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment". www.mbie.govt.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ "Cawthron Institute: Research The Cultured Shellfish Programme". cawthron.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ "Cawthron Institute: Research Seafood Safety Research Programme". cawthron.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
- ^ "Endeavour Fund Successful Proposals 2017". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Hatton, Emma (2018-05-28). "Bloomin' heck: Algae shuts down 150 mussel farms". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Managing the risk of emerging organic contaminants". ESR. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Zaayman, Morkel. "The removal of emerging organic contaminants from wastewater using constructed wetlands and carbonaceous bioreactors". University of Canterbury. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Emerging Organic Contaminants". Cawthron Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "High Value Nutrition National Science Challenge". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Sanford Limited". Sanford. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Musseling Up". Cawthron Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "2019 Endeavour Fund successful Smart Ideas". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Cawthron Culture Collection". Cawthron Institute. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bohny, Skara (2019-04-17). "Government announces $6m for national algae centre in Nelson". Stuff. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Algae research to benefit from Provincial Growth Fund". Radio New Zealand. 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Land Air Water Aotearoa". LAWA. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "New online guide to safe swimming". Te Ao Maori News. 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Kiwis can now surf the net for new beach water quality data". 1 News TVNZ. 2014-12-21. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Mohanlall, Samesh (2019-12-31). "Six South Canterbury swimming spots 'unsafe'". Timaru Herald. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Our Lakes' Health: Past, Present and Future". Lakes380. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Lakes380 Team". Lakes380. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Cartwright, Jess (2019-02-19). "NZ's lakes get a $12m health check as 'beasties' and bacteria sampled". 1 NEWS.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "How healthy are New Zealand's lakes?". Otago Daily Times. 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Iwi, scientists team up to study NZ's northernmost lakes". The Northern Advocate. 2019-07-03. Retrieved 2020-03-11.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "2019 Endeavour Fund Successful Research Programmes". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "2018 Endeavour Fund successful Smart Ideas". MBIE. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)