Science Centres: Fisheries

Oyster spat growing on shell reef material.

NIWA scientists are collaborating with the Challenger Oyster Management Company (COMC) to develop techniques for enhancing the productivity of the Tasman Bay oyster fishery.

‘Research combining NIWA’s scientific expertise with local fishing industry knowledge and experience is generating benefits for this fishery and for the general ecology of Tasman and Golden Bays’, says Russell Mincher of COMC.

Nelson is home to the second largest fishery for New Zealand’s iconic seasonal seafood delicacy, the native flat oyster, also known as the Bluff or dredge oyster. The quality of the premium oysters fished in Tasman Bay is high, but recent landing quantities have been rather poor.

Based on our research into oyster ecology, we’re trialling the use of waste scallop, oyster, and mussel shells as substrate for oyster spat to settle and grow on. Results so far have provided vital information about oyster reproductive biology, including when and where oyster larvae are present and available for settlement. Our experiments have shown significantly increased spat settlement on shell reefs placed on the seabed.

The research will now focus on determining the optimal composition and configuration of shell reefs, and the feasibility of transporting wild-caught oyster spat from spatcatching to ongrowing areas within the fishery.

The project is jointly funded by COMC and FRST through a Technology for Business Growth grant.