Innovation in the blue economy

A blue economy for the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge means marine activities that both generate economic value and contribute positively to ecological, cultural, and social wellbeing. To build a successful blue economy in Aotearoa, we need innovation.  

Research and co-development leads to success 

An overpopulation of pātangaroa/sea-stars in Ōhiwa Harbour that was contributing to declining mussel bed populations provided a unique opportunity for innovative problem solving. The goal of the Pātangaroa hua rau: The bioactive potential of sea-stars project was to co-create a sustainable economic opportunity that could fund the management of the pātangaroa and aid an ecosystem-based management model for the harbour and surrounding coastline, aligning with local Māori values. 

"We thought maybe we could use them to make a product, and then all of the profits could come back to help us protect the harbour. That was our rationale - from the harbour, for the harbour." - Kura Paul-Burke, University of Waikato. 

Using bucket chemistry to enable local processing, the project has developed a starfish collagen cosmetic product in two stages. The first stage developed a method to extract the collagen, the second stage developed the product, a skin cream.

“The next step is developing the commercialisation pathway, and connections with industry partners, to make it a marketable product” Matt Miller, Cawthron Institute. 

The research has provided a significant business opportunity for local iwi. The project has attracted international media attention due to Asia’s rising demand for collagen cosmetics. 

Partnerships are at the heart of blue economy innovation in Ōnuku 

Research to bring together a community’s aspirations and direct them towards a clear business opportunity is at the heart of a blue economy case study carried out with Ōnuku Rūnanga, for Akaroa Salmon.  

Our researchers analysed international market opportunities, risks, and consumer willingness to pay for ‘credence attributes’ in salmon. They explored how Ōnuku could develop an authentic identity and strategy in the salmon industry that’s steeped in mātauranga, Te Tiriti, Māori wellbeing, and a relational balance with te moana and te taiao.  

The case study recommended focusing on product differentiation and price premiums. Other recommendations included exploring the potential to sell into new markets like Korea and Thailand, developing systems and processes to increase price premiums, targeting consumers who place importance on country of origin, and communicating an identity based on authenticity and the unique story of Ōnuku. The research supports Ōnuku’s drive for a quadruple bottom line — people, place, culture, and profit. 

“When we started these projects, for me it was around sharing the vision of what might be possible for us if we continue down this pathway... We've been on that harbour for 800 years. We talked about creating salmon with all new whakapapa and selling that story to the world and getting a premium price for it.” - Rik Tainui, Chair, Te Rūnanga o Ōnuku. 

Blue economy research and innovation supports industry

Trawling is a key fishing method used in Aotearoa New Zealand for generations, and the method that catches most of our finfish. It’s effective at catching fish but faces increasing pressure from those concerned about its impact on the life on the seafloor. The project Quantifying seafloor contact set out to develop a low-cost, user-friendly bottom contact sensor prototype with project partner ZebraTech. The sensors collect data on points of contact (the footprint) of the fishing gear. The data can inform gear modifications to minimise trawl gear contact with the seafloor. 

“For a policymaking or a regulatory framework discussion, you’re going to need to better understand how the gear is interacting with the seabed.” Oliver Wilson, Fisheries Inshore New Zealand (FINZ). 

Research outputs from the project (with project partners FINZ and ZebraTech) have been shared with industry working groups. Accurate sensor data from trawl gear helps fisheries managers, policy makers, and kaitiaki accurately analyse trawl footprints to better understand and manage fisheries. It’s about a data-driven future. 

The Seafood NZ In-shore Council (formerly FINZ) will continue to use the sensors as part of a bigger project to understand how we trawl, to improve environmental performance. International partners Ulster University have picked up the project, and UK government funding has been granted through the Resonance Project, which is looking at the seafloor impact from trawling.