-
About us
About us
Credit: Waikawa, Māhia © Desna Whaanga-SchollumTe Au o Te Moana story series
This series aims to whakamana (empower) the voices of researchers, co-developers, Māori partners and communities of research and practice as…
More -
News & events
News & events
Tune in to our new, short docuseries, Turning the Tide
Ripples of hope have risen from the work of marine researchers, kaitiaki, and community members who’ve pooled their knowledge for the good of the ocean.
More
Improved decision-making using an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach
Enabling ecosystem-based management (EBM) to become embedded within marine management and governance.
More
Enhanced blue economy
Enabling Aotearoa to transition to a blue economy by developing BE principles, enhancing opportunities, and supporting adoption.
More
Empowering Mana Moana
Enhancing the relationship of Māori with Te Ao Turoa to inform our relationship with the moana.
More
He Kāinga Taurikura o Tangitū: Treasured coastal environment
Supporting coastal hapū to express kaitiakitanga by assessing and accessing high-quality ecosystem data.
More
Ki uta ki tai: Estuaries, thresholds and values
Assessing the interactions between loadings of different contaminants from freshwaters on the health and functioning of estuaries. This is a…
More
Waikato Regional Council coastal plan review
Supporting the Waikato Regional Council to review their Regional Coastal Plan with the principles of ecosystem-based management
More
Upholding the value of pāua quota
Exploring what pāua fishery investors (quota owners, divers, processors etc) need to know to have the confidence to invest; and the relation…
More
Tangaroa Ararau – Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Tikanga Māori and the marine environment
This project is exploring the fundamental idea of what an oceans-centric governance model could look like, unburdened by existing approaches…
More
Modelling restorative economies
Determining the benefits of small-scale, community-based marine restoration initiatives
More
EBFM in the Hauraki Gulf
Developing a monitoring and indicator framework for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
More
Whakaika te Moana
Exploring traditional aquaculture practices to inform a hapū-based blue economy
More
Marlborough Sounds regional study
In this collaboration, we are investigating how EBM can be used to manage shellfish populations in the Marlborough Sounds.
More
A novel approach to aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand
Growing community wellbeing with pātiki tōtara/yellowbelly flounder
More
Quantifying seafloor contact
Investigating and reducing interactions between commercial fishing gear and the seafloor
More
Kia tika te hī ika: Exploring fisheries tikanga and mātauranga
Investigating the tikanga of ICP Iwi Partners as it relates to commercial fishing practice
More
Thinking outside the can: Engineering toheroa aquaculture
Developing sustainable, community-based aquaculture in Te Taitokerau
MoreOur work
Sustainable Seas brought together Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest ever group of biophysical and social scientists, economists, and experts in mātauranga Māori and policy researchers. Together with Māori partners and stakeholders we embarked on our journey nearly a decade ago as one of 11 National Science Challenges, we set out to achieve this objective: To enhance utilisation of our marine resources within environmental and biological constraints.
The Challenge has produced nearly a decade’s worth of research results, guidance, and tools from more than 100 projects. In our final year, we’ve focused on refining the key messages and recommendations on topics prioritized by the Challenge community as being critical to enabling holistic ecosystem-based management (EBM) and te ao Māori approaches – and ultimately realize a healthy ocean and prosperous blue economy.
Where's our research?
This interactive map shows the location of all our research projects to help connect you with the research happening in your rohe.
Zoom in and click on a pin to see key information about the project.
Key
- Circles with kiwi = national projects
- Pins = regional/local projects
Latest news
Tune in to our new, short docuseries, Turning the Tide
Ripples of hope have risen from the work of marine researchers, kaitiaki, and community members who’ve pooled their knowledge for the good of the ocean.
More
AI-powered tool Tohorā revolutionises New Zealand marine science
The Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge has joined forces with technology and creative studio Daylight to develop Tohorā.
More
Aotearoa scientist and team recognised by international sustainability body for their work in preventing ecosystem collapse
There’s no better time than Earth Day (22 April) to celebrate a University of Auckland scientist and her team’s achievement as the National Champions of the Frontiers Planet Prize.
More
Seafood Magazine: Hot and cloudy waters ahead: forecasting the value of the pāua fishery
Shared with permission from Seafood New Zealand Magazine - March 2024 Flourishing fisheries rely on understanding environmental risks, uncertainties, and opportunities in a changing climate.
More
Media coverage Nov 2023 – Jan 2024
Mana, mauri, and prosperity for seafood products from Ōnuku Seafood NZ Magazine (p34) – Research undertaken with Ōnuku Rūnanga near Akaroa has found that salmon from Ōnuku (farmed for Akaroa Salmon)…
More
How to make better decisions to improve the marine environment
New research from Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge has just been released that could help inform different ways of taking care of our oceans.
More