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Research Needed

The contamination of New Zealand shellfish by a toxic algae bloom highlights the need for "protective research" on the country's export earning food products, says Dr Geoffrey Savage, a nutritional biochemist at Lincoln University.

Commercial shellfish exploitation has got ahead of scientific research in New Zealand, according to Savage.

Ideally, commerce and research should proceed hand in hand so that if a problem emerges, the scientist is on hand with explanations and guidance, he added.

Savage is concerned that such research cannot be undertaken in short-term, one-off bursts.

"Aquaculture research is the same as agricultural and horticultural work -- you're in for the long haul, because all three are critical to the economy and problems never cease," he says.