Environment
Aquaculture’s good management practices and respect for scientific and community input places it amongst the high environmental performers of New Zealand’s primary sector industries.
Environmental sustainability is critical to the long-term success of New Zealand aquaculture. Being environmentally sustainable is also a market imperative.
Still, like other farming activities, marine farming does have an impact on the immediate environment. To mitigate many of these environmental impacts the New Zealand government has a number of environmental controls in place, including the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Fisheries Act 1996. Most marine farmers also follow best practices set within the industry to meet the growing global demand for safe, healthy seafood products.
The planning and approval process for coastal aquaculture in New Zealand considers the farm’s potential environmental effects, as well as its possible cultural and social effects.
These processes are run by democratically elected regional councils, under the Resource Management Act (RMA). This is the principal New Zealand law governing coastal management and the growth and management of coastal uses, including aquaculture.
Regional councils will set conditions around farm operations and will monitor farms to ensure compliance. New Zealand’s farmers are also expected to comply with their farming association’s environmental code of practice.
In addition to this, the government and industry are working in partnership to develop nationwide standards for sustainable aquaculture. The industry is also working with WWF International to develop global standards for shellfish culture.
These standards are expected to support sustainable production methods such as those used in New Zealand. The standards are also expected to give the New Zealand public confidence in the changing local industry.
