Case Study: A bridge between science and industry – The salmon FCE research programme’s collaborative approach
July 2021
Cawthron Institute has always aimed to act as a bridge between science and industry. Commercialisation of research for sustainable and profitable aquaculture development is a key driver for Cawthron’s Finfish Research Centre and of the MBIE-funded Salmon Feed Conversion Efficiency Research Programme. Our core focus is to run industry focused research programmes supported by excellent scientific rigour and applied R&D expertise as they are an important pathway to commercial success.
In order to ensure that the Salmon Feed Conversion Efficiency Research Programme achieved these goals, Cawthron established technical and industry advisory groups at the outset of the programme including New Zealand salmon industry representatives and scientific partners from New Zealand and abroad to enable the sharing of priorities and challenges with the research team, as well as data, staff and infrastructure, and fish for sampling.
We also knew at the outset of this research programme that were significant knowledge gaps in the science – King salmon just hadn’t been studied enough as most of the world’s farmed salmon is Atlantic salmon, however New Zealand farms King salmon, and we’re known for producing some of the best quality, highest value salmon in the world, so we wanted to support the growth of this industry by filling in these gaps.
The scientific outputs of the Salmon FCE research programme were significant, and this is undoubtedly because the industry had input into setting the Programme’s research priorities.
Feedback so far from farmers who have implemented some of the practices we have developed through the Programme have noticed significant improvements in the feed conversion efficiency of the fish as well as improvements in fish health and quality.
Image: Cawthron Institute’s Finfish Research Centre team.
Looking to the future, our aim is to continue our research in a way that builds on the progress achieved so far and continues to improve the New Zealand salmon industry’s performance, profitability and sustainability. Our focus for this future research is how we can produce robust and resilient fish that can withstand some of the challenges ahead, including expansion into the open ocean, and changing climate conditions.
Cawthron Institute would like to thank industry partners for their input into the design and delivery of the Programme. It would not have been such a success without the open, collaborative approach, and we look forward to working with you on future research:
Akaroa Salmon, Aquaculture Direct, Aqua Innovation, Aquaculture New Zealand, High Country Salmon, Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, New Zealand King Salmon, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Ngāi Tahu, Ridley, Salmon Smolt NZ, Sanford, Skretting, and University of Auckland.