Primary Matters

Primary Matters

By Ministry for Primary IndustriesBusinessScienceCareers
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Primary Matters episodes

  • Hook, Line & Sinker - Mussel Power
    In this week’s podcast we’re hearing how greenshell mussels are not only good for us but could be even better for the economy. Trials at Nelson's Cawthron Institute have shown taking greenshell mussel powder can reduce joint pain and shorten recovery time after strenuous exercise.  

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  • Hook, Line & Sinker - The Marine Environment Needs Kelp
    New Zealand has established oyster, mussel and salmon farms - and now moves are afoot to see if it’s feasible to farm seaweed. A pilot project is under way to test whether common kelp, aka ecklonia radiata, takes well to being ‘planted’ at sea. 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
  • Hook, Line & Sinker - Pulling Mussels
    In this week’s podcast we’re talking about mussels. The Coromandel mussel industry’s worth about $65 million in export revenue, and Lance Townsend has been part of it for 32 years. The boat skipper can be found at 4.30 am on work days, whatever the weather, rowing out in a 13 foot dinghy to start up the mussel barge. 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  • Hook, Line & Sinker - Counting the Catch
    Fishery officers spend their days making sure recreational and commercial fishers stick to the rules that’ll ensure there’s plenty of kaimoana left in the sea for everyone. This week, podcast host Carol Stiles is heading out on a sparkling Kaikōura day with fishery officer Howard Reid. 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  • Hook, Line & Sinker - World First Nets Award
    In this week’s podcast we’re meeting a commercial fisher who has invented award-winning technology that uses AI to recognise exactly what is going into the net. Dom Talijancich says it allows fishers to carefully target species, avoiding fish they are not entitled (and don’t want) to catch. It can also provide valuable data on the health of fish stocks.  

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  • Hook, Line and Sinker: Keeping Watch at Sea

    In this week’s podcast we’re with Fisheries Observer Nigel Hollands. He heads out on commercial fishing vessels to collect data that helps with fisheries management and protects stocks for future generations. Sometimes Nigel shares a bunkhouse with the crew, other times he's allocated his own cabin. If there's no cook on board, you can find Nigel mucking in to help with the meals. The longest Nigel's spent working at sea, without setting foot on land, is three months.   


    In this series, Hook Line and Sinker, were taking a dive into Aotearoa New Zealand’s seafood sector. We’ll meet some of the people working in it and learn about innovations designed to help the industry grow and thrive.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  • Hook, Line & Sinker - An Anchor in Stormy Waters

    Working at sea can be challenging, both emotionally and physically. In today’s podcast we’re hearing about First Mate, the organisation set up to offer guidance and support to fishers, their whanau, and others in the seafood industry. 


    In this series, Hook Line and Sinker, were taking a dive into Aotearoa New Zealand’s seafood sector. We’ll meet some of the people working in it and learn about innovations designed to help the industry grow and thrive.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  • Primary Matters - The Wonders of Wool
    Cosmetics made of the finest wool powder, soft popcorn-like wool buds for stuffing, and acoustic wool panels for schools are all innovations their creators hope will reinvigorate New Zealand's struggling strong-wool sector. The goal is to double, if not treble, wool returns to farmers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    16 min
  • You Do What?! - Detecting Biosecurity Porkies
    Zoran Sinovcic pulls out jars of antelope horn, pangolin scales and exotic insect larvae. All of them pose a danger to our primary industries and could be carrying diseases we are desperately trying to keep out. Zoran’s job is to ensure commercial food products from Asia, and traditional Chinese medicine ingredients coming in to New Zealand, comply with our strict regulations.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  • You do what?! - What lies beneath
    It’s much more difficult to detect marine pests than land-based pests but there is a network of people diving and scouring beaches to identify anything unwanted and new. Marine pest sleuth Abe Growcott says the public also has an important role to play.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min

About Primary Matters

From the publisher's feed

Primary Matters – a podcast that tells the stories that matter to New Zealand’s primary industries. Hear what’s being done to keep Aotearoa’s food and fibre sectors growing and safe, and meet the…