2012/756 Aquaculture Production Innovation Hub: Phase II – communication, extension and opportunities

By Jennifer Cobcroft

This project was a continuation of the Aquaculture Innovation Hub (Project 2008/902). The Phase II Hub focussed on research extension activities in the finfish, crustacean and shellfish sectors and on increasing trans-Tasman communications among aquaculture producers and researchers.

The Phase II Hub conducted four workshops for national and international participants to communicate recent research findings and technology developments for marine hatcheries, enhance understanding of community engagement and discuss aquaculture spatial planning processes. Novel communication platforms were trialled with two editions of the What’s Hatching talking news and a webinar on social acceptability of the fishing industry and aquaculture.

The Hub supported technical exchanges for two shellfish industry representatives to improve understanding of hatchery operations and improved hatchery management practices in water treatment and larval feeds have been applied in shellfish, crustaceans and finfish as a result of Hub activities. New Zealand and Australian researchers and industry have refined approaches to understanding the social acceptance of aquaculture and community engagement through the trans-Tasman workshops and the network of aquaculture producers, research and regulators has been strengthened.