POSTER & PRESENTATION

PRESENTATION

Regenerative Coasts: Turning the Tide on Coastal Restoration and Sustainability.

Slide 1 – The Problem

Kina barrens are widespread across coastal Aotearoa.
Overgrazing by Evechinus chloroticus removes kelp forests, reducing biodiversity, habitat, and productivity of reef ecosystems.

Slide 2 – The Opportunity

Degraded reefs could become sites for regenerative aquaculture.
Restoring kelp forests while producing seafood and seaweed products could benefit ecosystems and coastal communities.

Slide 3 – The Innovation

A community-led regenerative aquaculture system:

• Harvest excess kina
• Culture kelp in local hatcheries
• Replant kelp forests
• Develop aquaculture products

Slide 4 – Funding the Hatcheries

Initial hatcheries could be funded through a mix of Māori-led environmental funding and aquaculture investment.

Potential funding pathways:

• Iwi and hapū development funds
• Government environmental restoration grants
• Marine innovation funding
• Partnerships with aquaculture investors

Projects supporting kaitiakitanga and restoration may align with programmes such as the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures Fund and restoration initiatives in regions like the Hauraki Gulf.

Once established, hatcheries become self-sustaining through revenue from:

• seaweed products
• kina harvest
• shellfish aquaculture

Revenue is reinvested into restoration, hatchery operations, and community employment.

Slide 5 – Key Species

Potential cultured species:

• Porphyra columbina – traditional food source
• Ulva lactuca – fast-growing seaweed
• Perna canaliculus – filter feeder improving water quality

These species support IMTA-style systems.

Slide 6 – Evidence of Feasibility

Kelp restoration projects already exist in areas like the Hauraki Gulf.

Seaweed aquaculture globally can produce 10–30 tonnes per hectare per year, making it one of the fastest-growing aquaculture industries.

Slide 7 – Community Benefits

This system supports:

• restoration of marine ecosystems
• food security for coastal communities
• iwi and hapū leadership in marine management
• new aquaculture jobs and skills

Slide 8 – The Vision

Local hatcheries connected to restoration reefs.

Communities restore degraded coastlines while producing sustainable aquaculture products.

A scalable model for regenerative aquaculture in Aotearoa and globally.

Slide 9 – Take-Home Message

Kina barrens are not just degraded ecosystems.

They are an opportunity to restore kelp forests and develop regenerative aquaculture systems that support both people and ocean ecosystems.