New Zealand unveils ambitious aquaculture growth plan

The government has said it will partner with industry, the Māori people, councils, communities and agencies to enable sustainable growth for New Zealand’s aquaculture sector.

Led by Fisheries New Zealand, the plan sets out actions the government  will take to enable the aquaculture industry to reach NZ $3 billion (£1.3bn)  in annual revenue by 2035. These actions are organised into four “pathways for growth”.

Pathway One aims to maximise value from existing space. The government says aquaculture already produces high value seafood, but adds there is potential to derive even greater value from existing farm space, while continuing to farm responsibly. It could add NZ 1.5 billion towards that three billion goal.

Pathway Two is even  more ambitious, involving the extension of aquaculture into the open ocean.

The government believes open ocean, or “offshore” farming provides a new frontier for growth in places away from other users and activities.

“Farming in the open ocean is an opportunity to significantly grow production, while maintaining high environmental standards to ensure sustainability,” says the report.

Pathway Three involves working with the Māori community – who the report says are already leaders in the aquaculture sector – driving innovation, and seeking opportunities to grow the industry.

The report says: “The Crown has a settlement obligation to provide Māori with assets representative of 20% of all new aquaculture space in the territorial sea.

“Realising the potential of the aquaculture settlements will be fundamental to achieving the $3 billion goal and will provide a platform for further growth,” the report adds,

Pathway Four involves identifying and implementing the best new opportunities to ensure that the aquaculture industry is resilient and will grow New Zealand’s unique position in the global market.