Eastern Bays Aquaculture Tour

 Last week I attended the morning session of the Eastern Bays Aquaculture Tour (Toi Ki Tua Eco Tour). The session began with Professor Chris Battershill giving an overview of the Aquaculture industry in the greater Bay of Plenty.

Chris discussed what the industry is currently worth and projections for the next 25 years, what we currently farm in the region, where it gets exported to and how much stays here, and strategic plans for the area. Chris also explained what Mātauranga Māori looked like in the area.

We also heard from a couple of PhD students at Waikato University about their studies around Aquaculture in Ohiwa Harbour and the ways they have used Mātauranga Māori to enhance their studies.

Having just started my placement, I found Chris' overview was a great way to see where the industry is at and how marine science will play an integral part, especially with climate change and how adaptations will need to be made to maximise production and sustainability in the Bay of Plenty region.

I have spent a lot of time around the Ohiwa Harbour, so I found it incredible to hear about the work the PhD students were doing in Ohiwa Harbour and how they used traditional ways of catching the evasive eleven armed sea star that didn't have by-catch like modern methods of collecting sealife.