Incorporating positive species interactions into aquaculture
This is a suggestion for a Degree Project for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine Sciences. Degree projects at the Department of Marine Sciences are done independently and must be written and assessed individually.
Area: Marine Biology
Level: Master project
Contact: Johan Svenson, Cawthron Institute, Pierre de Wit, University of Gothenburg
Location: Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
Background
Settlement is a challenging time of life for a juvenile mussel. In the wild, juvenile mussels often rely on other species, such as seaweeds, to help them transition from a pelagic larva to a benthic mussel by providing a point of attachment, harbour from predators, and even a potential source of food. However, whenever we culture mussels, whether it be for food production or ecosystem restoration, we do so in isolated monocultures.
Project overview
This research projects seeks to take inspiration from the wild and learn from natural, documented positive interactions (facilitation) between juvenile mussels and seaweeds to develop new methods of co-culture.
To investigate the potential beneficial effects of co-culturing, the student will perform a series of laboratory experiments to assess the affinities of juvenile mussels for different types of common New Zealand seaweeds across the early life stages of Perna canaliculus, New Zealand’s endemic, green-lipped mussel.
To ground truth these findings in a real-world situation, the student will also sample a range of seaweeds from the wild, quantifying the abundance of juvenile mussels on common NZ seaweeds.
Contacts
Paul South: paul.south@cawthron.org.nz
Johan Svenson: Johan.Svenson@cawthron.org.nz
More about Cawthron
Cawthron Institute is New Zealand’s largest and oldest independent research organisation with a 100-year history of delivering practical research solutions that benefit New Zealand and the rest of the world.
The majority of the research undertaken at Cawthron is focused on the marine and freshwater environment. Cawthron’s purpose is to deliver world class science for a better future. We partner with Māori, industry, academia, international stakeholders and government to deliver on our outcomes of healthy ecosystems, a prospering blue economy, thriving people and communities and our five impact pathways:
- Turning the tide on climate change
- Protecting and enhancing aquatic environments
- Securing safe and sustainable food
- Realising the potential of algae
- Supporting resilient communities in the Pacific
Project resources
During the New Zealand-based phase of the project, Cawthron will provide full host support, including:
- Access to necessary practical research facilities and materials
- Supervision, training, mentoring and technical support, as required
- Personal desk space and access to internal network and internet
- Incorporation into Cawthron staff, student and early career researcher networking groups
Support costs (including Cawthron staff time) will be covered by Cawthron.