Cawthron Scientist Earns Unique Presidential Award For Research Based Innovation

A Nelson-based scientist who initiated the world’s first mussel selective breeding programme has been honoured for his role in aquaculture research and innovation in this country.

Dr Henry Kaspar, who works for the independent research organisation, Cawthron Institute, today received (Wednesday 6 October 2010) a special Presidents Award for "Research-Based Innovation for Industry" at the Royal Society of New Zealand's Annual General Meeting.

The award is unique, in that it is made by the President of the Society alone, and not by the members of the academy, as is the norm.

Royal Society President, Dr Garth Carnaby, says it is a 'one-off' award in recognition of the work being delivered by Cawthron’s shellfish breeding programme, under Dr Kaspar's leadership, and of its potential value to New Zealand.

He made the decision to use his presidential prerogative to make the award following the Society's visit earlier this year to Cawthron’s Aquaculture Park, a purpose built research facility, located at Glenhaven, which houses the country's first oyster hatchery.

(The Park is also being further developed as a research and commercial centre that will not only provide a venue for science and industry to collaborate at a research scale but also provide the means to take that research to market.)

"The boulder bank research facility was the stand-out example of scientific and technological endeavour we have seen so far on the Council's visits to research establishments around New Zealand.

"The potential impact of the research being undertaken there can only be regarded as enormous. You don't need to be a genius to work out that if our shellfish industry is no longer reliant on the wild spat blown up on 90 mile beach, and we can close the life cycle of the mussel – then we can begin selective breeding and achieve rapid genetic gain which could give the New Zealand industry an unassailable ten year lead.

"I am not saying all of our science should be like this, but I for one, am absolutely delighted that some of it is, and I firmly believe it deserves to be recognised, something we have not been that good at doing over the years generally."

Dr Kaspar, who already holds a Royal Society Science and Technology Silver Medal, says he is honoured to receive recognition from the Society President himself.

"I never expected the Silver Medal. I had always thought I had been given it in advance and have spent the past nine years trying to deliver on it. I am totally surprised to now also be given this award, and for it to be the President's own special award, makes me very proud and humble."

The shellfish selective breeding programme Dr Kaspar is involved in at Cawthron includes producing mussels which are better by selecting parents that will produce offspring that may grow faster, taste and look better and be cheaper for processing. It is work which will allow the shellfish aquaculture industry to develop to a similar level of technological sophistication already widely seen in other primary industries, such as dairy, meat and cereals.

Ted Culley, the Aquaculture Manager at Sanford Ltd, which currently harvests around 21 thousand tonnes of mussels annually, says the programme has effectively opened the door for major innovation.

"Henry’s work and dedication to initiate the domestication and improvement of the livestock will help industry take a step change in terms of its grow-out characteristics and productivity of water space. He has given us a taste of what’s achievable and the challenge for industry is to now go out there and make it happen."

Marine farmer, Bruce Hearn, is one of those who is doing just that, and credits Henry Kaspar's passion, knowledge and expertise in aquacultural development, for making it so.

"We were a small mussel company wanting to diversify into flat oysters. We had some pretty big ideas about what we wanted to do, but not the knowledge or background to pull it off on our own.

"Henry was able to convince the right people of the value of the research and secure the funding that has enabled us to develop a machine to put the oysters onto ropes, combat disease and control bio fouling. Now, three years on, we have a crop of flat oysters coming on at a viable commercial level."

Cawthron CEO, Gillian Wratt, says the Institute is pleased for Henry and proud to employ scientists of such high calibre whose work is so very clearly appreciated by industry as well as his peers.

"Henry Kaspar's passion for research of practical benefit for aquaculture in New Zealand has been the driving force behind significant innovations that support sustainable growth of the sector, not the least of which has been his work with the selective mussel breeding programme."

Cawthron also sees the award as recognition for their work generally, through Dr Kaspar's leadership of the Institutes world leading aquaculture programme.

Board of Directors', Chairman Ian Kearney says they appreciate not only the award itself but also the sentiments behind it.

"To have the President of the Royal Society, an organisation we hold in high regard, recognise a private research organisation in this way, says a lot to us about the respect afforded Cawthron's work within the science community."

Henry Kaspar, who has been a full time manager for the past 15 years, sees this award as the result of significant and collective collaborations.

"What I have been doing here, can't be done single handedly. Without colleagues who share the passion and willingness to work hard, senior management and Board willing to back you, and without the support of industry and funders who share the vision, I could not have achieved what I have. I humbly acknowledge all of those who have made this possible."

Dr Kaspar who "loves science" has recently chosen to return to a research role where he will again be contributing to Cawthron's aquaculture and biotechnology projects.

Cawthron continues to work in collaboration with industry towards industrial mussel hatcheries, and to determine the high-value shellfish species most likely to succeed as New Zealand’s next aquaculture species.

For more information:

Dr Henry Kaspar
Senior Research Scientist
Cawthron Institute
P: 03 548 2319
E:

Dr Garth Carnaby
President
Royal Society of New Zealand
P: 04 470 5768

Biography:

Dr Henry Kaspar is a senior scientist with over 20 years experience in research and development management.

He is involved in several research projects with a microbial ecology or bioprocess engineering component.

He is a key Cawthron contact person for the aquaculture industry and other science providers. With a background in microbial ecology and applied microbiology he has significant technical input into Cawthron’s shellfish research programme.

Henry also plays a major role in the strategic planning of Cawthron activities.

He initiated the world's first full scale mussel selective breeding programme.

In 2001 he won a New Zealand Science and Technology Silver Medal for his contribution to the advancement of science in the field of aquaculture.

(These medals, awarded by the Royal Society, recognise and honour those who have made exceptional contributions to New Zealand society and culture through activities in the broad fields of science, mathematics, social science and technology. Silver medals are awarded to those who have made excellent contributions in these fields.)

Click here to read more information about the President's Awards on the Royal Society of New Zealand website.