New Zealand’s beloved fish ‘n chips might soon feature a lab-grown twist, with the government investing $9.6 million into developing cultured fish products.
Led by Plant & Food Research’s Dr. Georgina Dowd, this five-year programme is set to transform how seafood is produced in the country, creating lab-grown fish fillets through cutting-edge cellular agriculture (CellAg).
Source: Plant and Research - Dr Georgina Dowd
Cultured fish products, made by growing fish cells in a lab bioreactor, could offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing. With global demand for eco-friendly seafood growing, this initiative will position New Zealand at the forefront of food innovation, potentially bringing cultured fish fillets to Kiwi tables in the near future.
Source: Dreamtime Fish 'n Chips
In addition to producing seafood, the programme will explore using CellAg to create marine-based products, such as collagen. The project also takes into account New Zealand’s unique cultural landscape by engaging with Māori perspectives on taonga species to ensure the new technology is accepted and respected.
This government-backed programme, part of the Endeavour Fund, aims to blend scientific innovation with New Zealand’s cultural values. If successful, it could see the classic Kiwi dish of fish ‘n chips take on a sustainable, cultured spin.
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