AquaGuardian
A pinball game machine to increase awareness of sustainable fish breeding
How might we maintain ecological balance and sustainability while exploring fish production to understand how they are bred in a way that upholds tiakitanga?
Aquaculture stands as one of New Zealand's most prominent commercial export industries. This design project focuses on salmon-based fish breeding, the objective is to heighten public awareness of sustainable fish breeding as a crucial measure in safeguarding our oceans. The urgency arises from global warming-induced fish mortality, compounded by the excessive depletion of forage fish for high-demand species like salmon, and the pervasive issue of overfishing. These pressing concerns underscore the need for my project, which advocates for a balanced, eco-conscious approach to fish breeding, benefiting both the industry and the environment.
The pinball game machine features a board marked with stickers indicating hazardous zones, such as areas with elevated seawater temperatures, overfishing, and unsustainable fish food practices. These areas represent the most common factors detrimental to sustainable fish breeding. Each zone is accompanied by a hole; the pinball, symbolising a fish, signifies its demise if it falls into one of these holes due to a specific factor, leading to the end of the game. Players must skillfully navigate the pinball, avoiding these zones to reach the finish line.
These cards contain definitions and explanations of certain reo Māori words and Māori cultural practices, demonstrating how Māori contribute to sustainable fish breeding and establish a connection with the local community. Additionally, there are explanations for the stickers used on the pinball machine. The prototype will adhere to the principles of tiakitanga, fostering a connection with the local Māori community and imparting the significance of being part of the Tangata Tiriti's mission to promote community well-being.
