Government-Industry Collaboration in Action
Life Cycle Assessment of New Zealand Aquaculture: A Model for Sustainable Sector Development
Tuesday 7th October, 2025
12:30pm – 1:30pm (AEST)
Join us for an insightful exploration of New Zealand’s pioneering approach to aquaculture sustainability through the groundbreaking Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries and Aquaculture New Zealand. This webinar showcases how effective government-industry partnerships can drive evidence-based decision-making and sustainable growth in the primary sector.
This unique collaboration has produced comprehensive LCA studies for New Zealand’s three key aquaculture species ( Greenshell mussels, Pacific oysters, and King salmon) providing robust scientific data that positions New Zealand aquaculture among the world’s most sustainable protein sources. The studies revealed that New Zealand shellfish have carbon footprints comparable to tofu, while their King salmon outperforms beef, lamb, and cheese in environmental impact.
Discussion Topics
- Designing Effective Collaboration: How the partnership structure was established and key success factors.
- LCA Methodology & Findings: Overview of the comprehensive studies and the industry-changing results.
- Strategic Integration: How LCA data supports the $3 billion aquaculture growth target and sustainable development goals.
- Implementation & Impact: Practical applications of LCA findings for industry operations and market positioning.
- Replication & Scale: Lessons for other sectors and potential for expanding collaborative LCA approaches.
- Future Directions: Next steps for the collaboration and evolving sustainability initiatives.
This webinar demonstrates how collaborative approaches between government and industry can accelerate sustainable development while providing the scientific evidence base needed for informed decision-making, marketing, and policy development.
Featured Panel Speakers
Áine O’Neill
Senior Aquaculture Analyst, Aquaculture Development, Aquaculture Directorate | Tini a Tangaroa – Fisheries New Zealand
Áine will share insights on how MPI navigated the LCA framework to support the development of the king salmon and mussel industry LCAs and the outcomes.
Plus other speakers from industry.
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA) and the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre have joined forces to deliver FRDC project 2023-080: Alternative energy solutions for aquaculture supported by funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on behalf of the Australian Government.
PRESENTED BY
Name: Áine O’Neill
Affiliation: Senior Aquaculture Analyst·Fisheries New Zealand
Áine O’Neill, Senior Aquaculture Analyst at Fisheries New Zealand, brings international experience in sustainability to her work supporting the development of New Zealand’s aquaculture sector. Áine is also co-founder of Women of Aquaculture Aotearoa, a network that celebrates and supports wāhine in New Zealand’s aquaculture sector through storytelling, connection, and leadership.
Name: Mark Preece
Affiliation: Seawater Manager, New Zealand King Salmon
Mark Preece is the Seawater Manager at the New Zealand King Salmon Co. Limited (NZKS) and the chair of the NZ Salmon Farmers Association. With 30 years of experience in the aquaculture industry, Mark has progressed from a shift worker to a senior management position within the Company. He holds a Master of Marine Science from the University of Otago and has been instrumental in advancing sustainable aquaculture practices.
In his current role, Mark oversees all aspects of the seawater operations, which include leading the NZKS open ocean development – Blue Endeavour. Mark is a passionate advocate for the aquaculture industry, promoting career opportunities and community engagement. He believes in the potential of aquaculture to meet global food demands and is dedicated to advancing the industry’s practices and reputation.
Name: Angela Williamson
Affiliation: CEO, Blue Economy CRC
Angela Williamson is the CEO of the Blue Economy CRC.
Angela is a senior leader in ocean and fisheries policy, ocean-related international relations and diplomacy, sustainable seafood production, offshore innovation, ESG and investor relations, and contemporary marine spatial planning.
She brings over two decades of experience working at the forefront of sustainable oceans governance, planning and policy across the government, political offices, the private sector, and the research community.
Angela is the co-designer of the nationally crucial ‘futures of seafood’ study, an industry driver of the International Freight Assistance Mechanism that supported the seafood industry cope with COVID challenges, inaugural leader of Australia’s support for the Coral Triangle Initiative and shepherded through the formal constitutional recognition of Tasmania Aboriginal peoples in the Tasmanian Constitution.
Her goal is to grow the ocean economy by elevating the role of sustainable food systems and integrated oceans governance.
