In the lead up to our Annual Marine Science Forum on the 4th and 5th May, we will feature a post about each of the scientists presenting this year.

Dr. Pia Winberg, Director, Shoalhaven Marine & Freshwater Centre, University of Wollongong

Pia Winberg is currently the Director of the Shoalhaven Marine & Freshwater Centre at the University of Wollongong, Australia. Pia’s background is in marine systems ecology and her main research interest is in marine food production systems that are sustainably integrated with the coastal and marine environment. In this way Pia has developed her lab team’s research to focus on the integration of seaweeds into aquaculture systems, with an emphasis on seaweeds that have important nutritional qualities as a food or with bioactive metabolites. Consequently Pia’s research effort has had to cross the boundaries between ecological marine science and the disciplines of health, nutrition and other sciences to pursue the advancement of seaweed cultivation research, identification of high value characteristics and important applications for seaweed across human health, plant and animal applications. Pia is also the Executive Officer of Seaweeds Australia, a national network that seeks to coordinate and integrate seaweed research initiatives and industry.

Presentation title: Oysters anyone?

Presentation outline: 

Aquaculture of oysters is globally important and a valuable, low-impact aquaculture industry, that provides both socio-economic and environmental benefits to a value of US$3.7billion. The low ecological footprint of oyster production can even be considered as an offset to net nutrient and carbon input into coastal waterways around the globe with a phenomenal filtering capacity. However, the realization of the importance of oysters as a sustainable food now and into the future contrasts with a legacy and relentless struggle of local boom and bust patterns in a local context. The state of oyster aquaculture in NSW fits right in with the global patterns, but the opportunities to change the industry and lead by example will rely on local initiative, genetic tools and online technologies.