Safe New Zealand Seafood Programme
The Safe New Zealand Seafood Programme is a Cawthron led collaborative research programme that includes ESR, Plant and Food, AgResearch, NZFSA and members of the seafood industry. We provide research that safeguards and promotes the safe image of New Zealand seafood, ensures ongoing access to international markets and minimizes costs to the New Zealand industry.
We focus on key pre and post harvest micro-organism risks including harmful algae and the biotoxins they produce, viruses and bacteria. The programme identifies risks posed by micro-organisms as well as developing chemical and molecular tools for improved detection and monitoring of risk species.
Funding: FRST (CAWX0703)
Project Manager: Dr Lesley Rhodes |
Cryopreservation of Micro-algae
Cawthron’s Nationally Significant Culture Collection of Micro-Algae (CICCM) is now backed-up by the cryopreservation of more than 100 micro-algal strains, including shellfish feed species, small dinoflagellates, diatoms and some cyanobacterial species (blue-green algae). Prevention of genetic drift and continued toxin production are ensured by maintenance of key strains under liquid nitrogen
Funding: FRST (CAWX0902)
Project Manager: Dr Lesley Rhodes |
Shellfish Cryopreservation
Methods are being developed for the cryopreservation of sperm, eggs and larvae of Greenshell mussel, Pacific oyster and Blackfoot paua. The aim is to make selective breeding and hatchery production of shellfish independent of their seasonal life cycle.
Funding: FRST (CAWX0802)
Project Manager: Dr Serean Adams |
Molecular Tools for Managing Marine Biosecurity Risks
Cawthron is a partner in the NIWA led Marine Biodiversity and Biosecurity Programme. The broader programme aims to maintain biodiversity values through improved management of marine biosecurity risks Our research focuses on the development of molecular based tools for improved surveillance of high risk species as well as compliance tools for the IMO Ballast standard. We are developing a range of single and multispecies detection tools using molecular techniques.
Funding: FRST via NIWA (C01X0502)
Project Manager: Dr Susie Wood |
Tools for Managing Pest Risks to the Aquaculture Industry
Cawthron is leading a programme of research addressing marine biosecurity risks specific to the New Zealand Aquaculture industry. Our research focuses on developing molecular based tools for management and mitigation of threats from exotic pests. We are developing novel tools to prevent biofouling of marine farms by key pest species such as sea squirts (eg Ciona, Didemnum). We are supporting a PhD student investigating the relative genetic diversity of Didemnum vexillum and associated consequences in terms of biofouling potential.
Funding: FRST (CAWX0802)
Project Manager: Jeannie Kuhajek |
High Value Products from Algae
We are conducting research aimed at identifying and extracting high value compounds from algae for global markets. One focus is the commercialisation of Cawthron's modular enclosed algal production system to support the development of cost-effective large-scale algal farming in New Zealand. Several molecules and markets have been identified as having potential in this largely United Kingdom venture capital funded project. Some of the work has been supported by the New Zealand government through Technology for Business Growth schemes.
Funding: Supreme Biotechnologies Ltd, FRST
Project Manager: Dr Mike Packer |
Re-engineering DET Biosystems for Bioelectrical Devices
This project is about using microbial fuels cells to remediate waste streams and produce electricity. It uses techniques to explore mediator-less fuels cells where the organisms in those fuel cells donate electrons to the device directly that are likely to be simpler and more efficient than present systems. Cawthron's role is to experiment with photosynthetic organisms, algae and cyanobacteria, in these devices to co-utilise energy from sunlight. We are also developing novel algal bioreactor technology that might be better suited to the photosynthetic organisms we're testing.
Funding: FRST via Lincoln Ventures (LVLX0802)
Project Manager: Dr Mike Packer |
Managing Lethal Algal Blooms
Cawthron is collaborating with a world class team at the University of Tokyo to define the risks posed by the toxin producing Karenia species and to develop markers that will provide early warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs) threatening high value aquaculture and fisheries species.
Funding: FRST (CAWX0804)
Project Manager: Dr Pat Holland |
Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Tools for Water Quality Management
We are developing and validating MST tools for identifying the presence and relative contributions of human and ruminant sources of faecal contamination in coastal catchments and downstream nearshore waters. This project is being conducted in partnership with ESR and Regional Councils, via the Envirolink Tools Fund.
Funding: FRST (CAWX0904)
Project Manager: Dr Chris Cornelisen |
Microbial Source Tracking (MST) Technology for Shellfish
This project aims to expand the application of existing MST technology by developing and optimizing methods for recovering a set of human specific bacterial and viral markers in shellfish flesh samples. This will provide the shellfish industry with improved tools to monitor the quality of their growing waters.
Funding: Seafood Innovations Limited
Project Manager: Dr Chris Cornelisen |
Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems
We are contributing to a NIWA led programme investigating Antarctic aquatic ecosystems. Using a range of molecular and culturing techniques we are investigating the microbial community structure and function in the Darwin and Koetlilz Glacier regions.
Funding: FRST via NIWA (C01X0306)
Project Manager: Dr Susie Wood |
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