Cawthron Institute
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
New Agreement Cements Nelson-based Aquaculture Partnership
Aquaculture in the Top of the South has received a further boost following the signing of a formal agreement between
Cawthron Institute and Wakatū Incorporation this week.
“This new partnership represents a long-term investment in the aquaculture sector and symbolises an ongoing commitment
by Cawthron Institute and Wakatū to economic development in the Nelson Tasman region,” Cawthron Institute Chairman Ian
Kearney says.
“By working together at a strategic level we’re able to better pool our resources and knowledge so we can continue to
support the sustainable growth of aquaculture in the Top of the South.”
Wakatū-owned seafood company Kono has been based at the Cawthron Aquaculture Park since 2003, working with Cawthron
Institute at an operational level on shellfish research and development. The new agreement between the boards of
directors of both organisations marks a shift to strategic level planning and sets out terms around the leasing of land,
shared resources, collaborations and infrastructure at the park.
Wakatū Incorporation Chairman Paul Morgan says the agreement cements its longstanding partnership with Cawthron
Institute which includes working together on the oyster selective breeding programme and the production of high value
natural compounds for the nutraceutical sector.
“We’ve been working together for a decade at an operational level and now, by applying that partnership at a strategic
level we can complement each other even further - it’s a smarter way of doing things and will help in future planning
and decision-making around new investments, research and developments,” he says.
“We needed to formalise our relationship so we could get on and look to the future. It’s good for us, for the industry
and for our region to have this added security and certainty and sends the message that we’re in this sector for the
long haul.”
Cawthron Institute Chief Executive Professor Charles Eason says this week’s signing marks an exciting step in the future
direction and development of the aquaculture park.
“It represents the formal coming together of the two entities and further bridges the gap between our scientific
research and the on-farm production of aquaculture species.”
Cawthron Aquaculture Park has expanded significantly since it was established almost two decades ago to support the
development of New Zealand’s aquaculture sector through innovative research. Now covering 20 hectares of rural land at
Glenduan north of Nelson, it includes an aquaculture research centre, ponds and hatchery facilities. As well as Kono,
the park is now also home to New Zealand’s largest Pacific oyster and Greenshell mussel hatchery operations, owned by
Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and SpatNZ respectively.
Professor Eason says: “This new agreement supports our vision for the Cawthron Aquaculture Park as a centre of
excellence for aquaculture, and a place where scientific research and development underpins industry for the benefit of
our economy.”
ENDS