Investigating New Zealand Aquaculture
Science, social sciences and nutritional investigations from:
Curriculum Areas: Social Sciences, Science, Health
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Place and Environment
The Economic World
Living World – Ecology
Home Economics – Food and Nutrition
www.aquaculture.org.nz
Links to: English and Technology
Levels:
Best suited to levels 2-4
What is Aquaculture? – Tuning In
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How many words can the students list that begin with the prefix aqua – meaning water? What do they think is meant by the word ‘aquaculture’? What does a dictionary say? Ask
Google ‘what is aquaculture?’ Tell students that in simple
form, aquaculture is the farming of marine creatures.
What do students know about aquaculture in New Zealand?
What do they think we grow in salt water farms? Have any
students seen any salmon, mussel or oyster farms in the
Marlborough Sounds when crossing Cook Strait?
Have students devise a series of survey questions about sea-
food (not fish) to ask other students at school and members of their families, eg
- what is their favourite seafood
- how often do they or their family eat seafood?
- in what special ways to they prepare their seafood?
- where do they get their seafood from?
- how do they make sure it is fresh and safe to eat?
Have students collate all answers and display results in
table and graphic form for a seafood wall display.
Oyster Farm
An Introduction to Our Main Farmed Species
• As a class, have students discuss and list all they will need to
find out to know about and to understand New Zealand’s aquaculture industry, eg
- what are the species of marine creatures we farm?
- where do we farm these marine creatures?
- who eats them and do we export them?
- what nutritional benefits do we get from eating them?
- how do we farm them and do we have to take any special
measures to ensure they are always safe to eat?
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NZ Greenshell™ Mussels
NZ Pacific Oysters
What do we need to find out?
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Did the students know that aquaculture is the fastest
growing type of farming in the world? Tell students that at
present we farm 3 main types of species. Can they guess
what these are? Have groups visit: www.aquaculture.org.nz
to find out (Greenshell™ Mussells, King Salmon, and Pacific Oysters).
What additional information can they find about these three species? Have groups report back their findings.
Read and discuss the meaning of the following statement made by the Owner and Chef of the famous Quest Restuarant
in New York. ‘ The integrity and flavour is incomparable – it
is almost as if New Zealand products have absorbed the beauty of where they are from’. Can the students make any
suggestions as to why New Zealand is able to produce
aquacultural products that get such praise? What further information can they find at www.aquaculture.org.nz > select NZ Story that adds to their suggestions?
Do the students know what a primary industry is? Ensure
they understand that a primary industry changes natural
resources in to products to sell and that aquaculture is growing
very quickly as a primary industry. Can they name our major
primary industries (dairy, wool, forestry, meat, coal…)
starters & strategies
A Young and Vibrant Industry
Group or Individual Research Projects
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Have groups or individual students conduct research from one or more of the following student fact sheets pdfs at:
www.teachingonline.org/aquaculture.pdf
www.teachingonline.org/oysters.pdf
www.teachingonline.org/mussels.pdf
www.teachingonline.org/salmon.pdf
Aquaculture Fact Sheet Research Questions
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locate on a map the main areas where aquaculture takes place
how much does aquaculture contribute to our economy?
on a world map, locate the main countries that we export
our aquculture products to.
why is it predicted that aquaculture will become the main
source of (marine) protein?
what two factors mean that New Zealand has a
reputation or producing products with a reputation for quality?
what special programme is in place to make sure that our
products are always safe to harvest and to eat?
how do our marine farmers show respect for the environment
and what would the consequences be if they didn’t?
Mussel Farm
Pacific Oysters Fact Sheet Research Questions
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how is it thought that the Pacific Oyster arrived here?
why is it preferred by marine famers over native rock oysters?
where are most Pacific Oysters farmed, how are they
farmed and how long does it take to grow to harvest size?
what gives our oyster farmers a special advantage over
other oyster farmers around the world and means they
can also be safely eaten raw?
what special properties do Pacfic Oysters have that
make them good for our health and why is it important to
have a strong immune system?
New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussel Research Questions
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what is meant by indigenous and how were mussels
once harvested?
how are mussels cultivated in marine farms, and what
difference have these methods made
what are the best conditions and for mussels to grow?
why do mussels never need feeding?
what makes our New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels so
easily recognised and popular around the world?
list the special health benefits of eating mussels.
Salmon Research Project Questions
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when did salmon farming start in New Zealand and where about do we farm them (use an atlas)?
how and where are salmon raised?
why are our salmon drug-free and how would this give us an advantage over other countries?
make a list of the many health benefits from eating salmon
Presentation and Concluding Activities
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Groups/individuals prepare and deliver an oral presentation
to the class about their research findings. Have each student
make a written contribution to an acquaculture in New Zealand
wall chart. Illustrate with jpegs (dragged onto desktop) from Aquaculture New Zealand website. www.aquaculture.org.nz
Prepare a web page about aquaculture for the class/school
website. Include appropriate links to www.aquaculture.org.nz
Design a multi-choice quiz for other students who will be able
to check their answers by referring to your website page/s.
Conduct web research to find out why our bodies need
protein and other minerals found in our sea farmed creatures.
Become ‘creatives’ and prepare/deliver a radio advert. or shoot a TV advert. promoting an aquaculture product.
Design a menu to showcase mussels, oysters and salmon
for an overseas visitor. The menu must be illustrated and
attractive, show how the food will look on the plate and
contain information on how the food was prepared.
Prepare an overseas magazine page promoting the
advantages of eating New Zealand aquaculture products.
NZ King Salmon
Salmon Farm
starters & strategies
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