Laying the groundwork for New Zealand's $45 million mussel hatchery

The development of Te Huata Mussel Spat Hatchery in the Eastern Bay of Plenty was recently announced by the Government, who are investing in the venture through the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund. The initiative will provide skilled work as well as reducing the country’s mussel industry’s reliance on wild spat – the shortage of which is currently limiting industry growth. During the development process, Cawthron Institute has been part funded by Callaghan Innovation to help Te-Whānau-ā-Apanui develop the knowledge and hatchery processes critical for the venture’s success. Several months into the two-year research and development project at the Cawthron Aquaculture Park in Nelson, project lead Nick King says impressive progress has been made. “We started working with hatchery staff immediately on the knowledge required for them to provide essential input into hatchery fitout and equipment requirements, as the design process is already underway, with construction set to begin ...