Science Centres: Fisheries

A 7500-strong crowd turned out in brilliant March sunshine to attend the second Havelock Mussel Festival. The event featured local seafood and wine, arts and crafts, live entertainment, a ‘Mussel Hustle’ obstacle course, and aquaculture industry displays. NIWA was again a major sponsor, providing a kids’ entertainment area, complete with bouncy castle and face painting.

Five NIWA aquaculture experts were on hand to explain the tailor-made services we can offer aquaculturists, including:

• research and advice on how to maximise production
• advice and training on culturing new and existing species
• advice on site selection
• advice on design of aquaculture facilities, such as seawater reticulation systems
• environmental impact assessments
• provision of relevant environmental data such as temperature, tidal flow, nutrient load, weather
• supplies of starting stock, including seed paua and juvenile kingfish

We’ll be back next year...we have a mussel hustle to win!