Bluff oysters & blue cod: something special in the deep south
The hunt for helpful bacteria from the sea
NIWA in Iran
Kina a winner: research doubles roe yield
Too many blokes
NIWA now has some 1270 bacterial isolates in the marine micro-organism collection. Our biotechnology team are isolating bacterial strains from a wide variety of marine material, ranging from tunicates, sponges, and seaweeds, found in the shallows, to deep-sea sediments, found at depths of 3000 metres. We have found several new species and genera, and are growing them in the lab. The bacterial strains are being tested for their biotechnological properties, for possible use as agrochemicals, pharmaceutical drugs, or cosmetics.
Strangely enough, eels get to ‘choose’ their sex, depending on environmental factors, and there is a major imbalance in New Zealand’s eel populations – too many males.
Shortfin male eels seldom exceed 200 g. This can be a problem for eel farming, because high densities favour production of almost 100% males, but the good markets are mainly for eels over 200 g, which tend to be female. Eels are also highly valued by Māori as a customary food species, and generally the eels of choice are even bigger – over 500 g.
Outside a fish powder plant, Qeshm
NIWA scientists have been helping the Iranian government to develop a marine strategy for Qeshm Island in southern Iran. This island, on the northern side of the straits of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf, has been established as a free trade zone.
The Qeshm Free Area Authority has commissioned a New Zealand team to develop an integrated strategy for marine sector development, including fisheries management, aquaculture, fish processing, and marine park development.
Feeding sea urchins in Mahanga Bay, Wellington.
Phil James receives his award from Steve Maharey, Minister of Research, Science & Technology.
Fattening kina in sea-cages has just won Phil James of NIWA the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing section of the MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year awards.
On the domestic market, kina roe can fetch $70 per kg – substantially more than rock lobster – but the yield from wild-caught kina is highly variable.
A unique partnership in Southland is working to increase the sustainable population of Bluff oysters and blue cod, restoring the seabed habitat in Foveaux Strait at the same time.
To do this, NIWA is working with a broad community stakeholder group, involving the Bluff Oyster Management Company, Foveaux Strait blue cod fishers, iwi, recreational fishers, divers, other recreational users, Environment Southland, and DOC, as well as the Ministry of Fisheries.
