Aquaculture Reform

Under the new Aquaculture Reform, the Ministry of Fisheries' responsibilities include:

• the effects of proposed aquaculture developments on fishing activity
• maintaining the Fish Farmer Register, and tracking product flow for fisheries compliance purposes
• processing the backlog of farm and spat-catching permit applications under the pre-reform legislation
• aspects of the Crown's settlement of Maori commercial aquaculture interests since 1992

Land based fish farms will continue under their existing requirements until the Freshwater Fish Farm regulations 1983 are reviewed.

Details of the reform are available on the Ministry for the Environment website.

For more information on the Maori commercial aquaculture claims settlement:

  Details of the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (PDF 1.02MB)
The Maori Commercial Claims Settlement Act 2004 provides a "full and final settlement" of all Maori claims (current and future) over commercial and marine farming in the coastal marine area, from 21 September 1992 onwards.

 Pre-Commencement Space Register (PDF 15KB)
Pre-Commencement Space Register. Settlement Assets at 22 March 2006