Cawthron and salmon industry advisory group agree to ‘shared challenges and priorities’ for research
22 June 2021
The talk of the town in Nelson last week was salmon, as industry representatives from across Aotearoa converged on the Rutherford Hotel to hear updates from Cawthron researchers working on the MBIE-funded salmon Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) Research programme.
The salmon Industry Advisory Group meeting was the final meeting to be held under the banner of the five-year FCE research programme, which is drawing to a close at the end of 2021.
The aim of the programme was to understand what makes fish efficient in order to enhance the productivity of the salmon industry and improve the health of the fish.
Interviewed during a break in the day’s back to back workshops and presentations, Cawthron Institute’s GM of Aquaculture Dr Serean Adams said it was important for Cawthron to work closely with industry from the outset of the programme to design research that would produce solutions to key shared challenges.
“We wanted to deliver best bang for buck, both for Government, and their research funding… and for industry, so we’re working on things that are going to maximise opportunities and solve their biggest problems.”
Programme co-leader Dr Jane Symonds said that Cawthron researchers are focused on both feed conversion efficiency and aqua health – both issues that are important to salmon farmers.
“This (meeting) has given the industry the opportunity to hear about what we’ve been doing, communicate with us and share their priorities.”
Dr Symonds said the meetings provided a useful forum for free and frank discussion and had established a collaborative approach to industry development that was delivering benefits to all contributors.
Dr Symonds said Cawthron is currently seeking funding for future research that builds upon the progress gained over the past five years, particularly with respect to producing robust and resilient fish that will thrive in changing environmental conditions, for example as a result of the offshore expansion of marine farming, or due to the effects of climate change.
“We hope to build on the momentum we have gained and continue to act as a bridge between science and industry, so while this is the last IAG meeting under the banner of the FCE research programme, we hope there will be many more in the future.”