Aquaculture in New Zealand
Aquaculture is aquatic farming. In New Zealand, it takes place both in the sea and in land-based, man-made enclosures. New Zealand regulations require that any fish or aquatic life being farmed is kept separate from wild species, and that it is kept in the continuous possession or control of the farmer.
The New Zealand aquaculture industry began in the late 1960s and has grown to become one of the country’s largest export earners. Currently worth over $300 million to our national economy, the aquaculture industry is working to become a sustainable billion dollar business by 2025.
Government initiatives
The Government has launched a five-point plan to support the future growth of Aquaculture in New Zealand. The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) leads the team of government departments that have joined forces to support sustainable aquaculture development. The team also includes the Department of Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Te Puni Kōkiri.
MFish Role
Part of MFish’s responsibilities include providing information, advice and formal assessments to regional councils on fisheries matters for coastal plans and Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs).
MFish is the lead Crown agency responsible for implementing the Maori Aquaculture Settlement.
We are responsible for deciding whether a permit application (under the old aquaculture legislation) will have an undue adverse effect on fishing or fisheries resources. And under the new legislation, we are responsible for deciding whether a proposed AMA will have an undue adverse effect on fishing. In cases where only commercial fishing interests are unduly affected by an application, we work with these interests and marine farmers to find appropriate solutions.
For full details on the aquaculture industry, and the Government's initiatives, please visit: www.aquaculture.govt.nz.
Contacts
All enquiries about the current aquaculture legislation should be directed to Dan Lees - telephone (03) 548 1069, or email info@fish.govt.nz.