Cawthron Institute scientists have been awarded a significant research grant through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Endeavour Fund – Smart Ideas 2025 investment round, to lead a pioneering new project aimed at improving climate resilience in Aotearoa New Zealand’s aquaculture sector.

The two-year project, Supercharging Mitochondrial Function, will be co-led by senior aquaculture scientist Dr Jane Symonds and fish physiologist Dr Leteisha Prescott. It will investigate how improving mitochondrial function – often referred to as the “powerhouses of the cell” – can enhance the performance, robustness, and survival of key aquaculture species such as salmon, snapper, oysters, and Greenshell™ mussels.

“This is about unlocking a new tool to help future-proof Aotearoa New Zealand’s seafood sector,” said Dr Symonds. “As climate change brings increasingly warmer waters and extreme weather events, it’s crucial that we develop strategies to strengthen the resilience of our farmed species.”

The project will explore both genetic and environmental levers to improve mitochondrial efficiency, including how targeted breeding, nutrition, and husbandry practices can support improved metabolic function and stress tolerance.

“Internationally, mitochondrial therapies are being explored in livestock and even human health – but this research is breaking new ground in aquaculture,” said Dr Prescott. “We’re excited to bring this science to bear on the real-world challenges our seafood producers are facing.”

The research will be undertaken in collaboration with the University of Auckland, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, and several industry partners including New Zealand King Salmon, Sanford, SPATnz, and Māori-owned aquaculture enterprises such as Te Huata and Moana New Zealand. It builds on Cawthron’s leadership in aquaculture innovation, including its long-standing commitment to sustainable breeding and nutrition strategies.

Dr Symonds said the project has the potential to generate major economic and environmental benefits for Aotearoa, including improved survival rates, faster growth, and greater adaptability to open ocean farming environments.

“Even a modest improvement in stock survival could translate into millions in additional revenue for the industry each year,” she said.

The Smart Ideas initiative supports innovative research that has the potential to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment, and society. The success of this proposal reflects the strength of Cawthron’s collaborative science and its vision for a thriving, climate-resilient blue economy.