Seafood industry welcomes funding boost for research

4 February 2013

New Zealand seafood industry welcomes funding boost for research

The government’s announcement that it is providing funding of $5 million dollars into a joint industry and government seafood research partnership is warmly welcomed by the New Zealand seafood industry and its research partners including Plant and Food Research, NIWA and Cawthron Institute.

“New Zealand seafood has a strong future as global demand for protein continues to escalate and this funding will significantly boost our research efforts towards increasing sustainable seafood production in both aquaculture and wild fisheries,” says Dave Sharp, Chair of Seafood Innovations Limited.

Mr Sharp says the collaborative research programme will focus on extending existing projects and undertaking new projects aimed at improving the use of New Zealand’s marine environment to sustainably produce and export larger quantities of more valuable and more diverse seafood.

“The collaborative research programme will be invaluable in strengthening New Zealand seafood’s position in world markets as a source of premium, high value and demonstrably sustainable seafood,” says Mr Sharp.

The funding follows on from previous government investment into research which has resulted in exciting outcomes for industry. These include the world’s first automated mussel opener and precursor research which has led to two multimillion dollar primary growth partnership projects.

“We look forward to further developing the research programme with our partners and would like to thank the Minister of Business, Innovation and Employment for his confidence in New Zealand seafood,” says Mr Sharp.

New Zealand seafood exports total $1.56 billion year and the sector employs (directly and indirectly) 26,000 people.
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