Mixed Messages about New Zealand Aquaculture
Many locations would be suitable for the expansion of the current NZ$ 450 million (~US$ 242 million) aquaculture industry, according to government studies. Finfish farming of species like king fish and salmon could provide significant boosts to the economies of areas like the Firth of Thames, where environmental conditions are favourable. The current industry is dominated by the production of some 90,000 tonnes of green-lipped mussels, which are exported to 77 countries. Salmon (Chinook salmon imported from Canada) and oysters are also important species. The industry hopes to raise the value of its production to NZ$ 1 billion (~ US$ 537 million) by 2025, a report said.
However, in an article that sounds all too familiar to aquaculture operators and proponents in Canada (British Columbia), The Fish Site reports that: Fish Farming opportunities are slipping through the net in Hauraki because regional bureaucratic processes are taking too long. Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga has called on Environment Waikato to speed up its bureaucratic processes before the region misses out on fish farming opportunities, writes Jeff Neems for the WaikatoTimes According to the news agency the Hauraki Gulf and Firth of Thames have been identified as having good potential for finfish farming and other aquaculture ventures, but Mr Tregidga said he was disappointed by the regional council's slow progress on a plan change which would allow potential aquaculture operators to apply for resource consents. "It's been going on for more than two years. It seems to have taken far too long ... when this many parties are keen for it to progress." He said a series of reports on the aquaculture industry had taken "some time" to be produced, although he acknowledged there were environmental concerns. "My real argument here is that those issues should be addressed at the consent process and the industry, along with Government - and through our economic development committee - is happy to meet those costs."
TheFishSite News Desk
