Cabinet Paper

Online version

PDFs available to print:
Government Response (PDF, 88 KB)
Appendix 1 Priority Projects (PDF, 50 KB)
Appendix 2 National Aquaculture Position Statement (PDF, 141 KB)

The Government response to the New Zealand aquaculture strategy

Proposal

To seek agreement to the proposed government response to the New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy.

Executive Summary

The government made a commitment at the end of July 2006 to respond to the industry-led New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy. A draft response to the New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy was endorsed by aquaculture ministers (Minister of Fisheries, Minister for Industry and Regional Development, Minister for the Environment, Minister of Conservation, Minister of Māori Affairs and Minister of Local Government) in December 2006.

The proposed response does not address all the actions identified in the New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy. Instead, it is structured around five priority areas or ‘key pillars':

Building the confidence to invest;
Improving public support;
Promoting Māori success;
Capitalising on research and innovation; and
Increasing market revenues.

Each pillar has several related initiatives. Through these initiatives, government aims to support the implementation of the regulatory regime for aquaculture, to encourage investment in the sector, and facilitate the transformation of the sector into a higher-value contributor to the New Zealand economy.

The response also recommends that government support the following mechanisms, to assist the implementation of the five pillars and ensure ongoing engagement with industry:

the continuation of the Aquaculture Ministers Group, the Chief Executives Steering Group and the Aquaculture Implementation Team;
the establishment of industry and government forums on aquaculture; and
a national position statement on aquaculture.

Background

The New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy was launched on 28 July 2006 at the annual New Zealand Aquaculture Conference in Nelson. At the launch, the Minister for Industry and Regional Development and the Minister of Fisheries announced that government would respond to the strategy.

The aquaculture strategy describes the actions that industry, central and regional government, iwi and science providers will need to take to support the industry's overall goal. The goal of the aquaculture strategy is that by 2025 the New Zealand aquaculture sector will have sales of NZD 1 billion per annum.

The aquaculture strategy includes a ten-point plan that sets out the key actions required for its implementation. The ten-point plan will:

Establish a new national sector organisation;
Strengthen the partnership with government;
Strengthen other stakeholder partnerships;
Secure and promote investment in aquaculture;
Improve public understanding and support for aquaculture;
Promote Māori success in aquaculture;
Develop the market for New Zealand aquaculture products;
Maximise opportunities for innovation;
Promote environmental sustainability and integrity of aquaculture; and
Invest in training, education and workforce promotion.

The new sector organisation, New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd, will lead the implementation of the strategy. It is expected to be operating in the first quarter 2007. Government has already made a commitment to the creation of New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd by providing funding of $70,000 from the Regional and Industry Development Fund. This was provided to support its establishment and work programme.

The Proposed Government Response

The proposed response does not address every action in the aquaculture strategy that identifies a government agency as an implementation partner. Instead, the government's response is focused around five pillars:

Building confidence to invest;
Improving public support;
Promoting Māori success;
Capitalising on research and innovation; and
Increasing market revenues.

The pillars are aligned with the priorities of the industry¹. Through these pillars, government aims to:

implement the regulatory regime for aquaculture, to encourage investment in the sector; and
support the transformation of the aquaculture sector into a higher-value contributor to the New Zealand economy. The aquaculture sector was selected as one of the three priority sectors under the economic transformation agenda [CBC Min (06) 213 refers].²

The government response broadens the focus from the implementation of the aquaculture legislation and the regulatory environment to working with the industry to support its transformation. Other pillars considered during the development of this response were environmental sustainability and investment in training, education and workforce promotion. It was agreed that environmental sustainability is pervasive across all five pillars and the industry do not see training, education and workforce promotion as an immediate priority.

Each pillar has a number of specific initiatives. These are the initial commitments that government will make over the next two to three years in response to the aquaculture strategy. In addition to the five pillars and initiatives, the following activities also have the potential to deliver significant assistance to the aquaculture sector:

the cross-government response to the Food and Beverage Taskforce report being led by the Ministry of Economic Development (MED);
options for a range of tax reductions to encourage business investment in research and development, export market development and enhance skills in the workforce; and
the Market Development Assistance Scheme (MDAS) receiving a one off funding boost of $33.750m, over and above the appropriation of $27.107m in 2006/07, for Export Year 2007 [CAB Min (06) 42/9 refers]. This aims to encourage the entry of more New Zealand firms into global markets.

The Five Pillars and Related Initiatives

The key initiatives under each of the five pillars reflect the need for both immediate progress and the building of strong foundations for the future of the sector. For this reason, the government's response to the aquaculture strategy includes a mix of new initiatives and initiatives already being implemented as part of the work programme of the Aquaculture Implementation Team.³

Pillar 1: Building confidence to invest

The objective of this pillar is to encourage both regional councils and industry to invest in new aquaculture management areas (AMAs) and support the improved use of existing space. Under this pillar, government support will be focused on establishing good practices, fostering a collaborative approach, and reducing the high transaction costs (for both regional councils and industry), associated with running a robust AMA planning process.

The success of this pillar is dependent on how regional councils and industry manage the following factors, which make certainty around the creation and timing of new AMA space difficult:

competition for coastal space creates conflicts, particularly where new AMAs are proposed in sheltered waterways and harbours;
the process to develop new aquaculture space within the Resource Management Act (RMA) is complex, requiring both a plan change and resource consent application, plus associated information gathering and extensive consultation; and
the AMA process is untested. The first AMAs will take longer to establish as councils identify and work through issues and administrative processes for the first time.

Initiative 1: Priority projects to create new AMA space in Northland and Auckland, encourage research and innovation and facilitate regional partnerships

These projects were approved by aquaculture ministers in August 2006. They aim to encourage:

the establishment of new AMA space;
better use of existing space for research and innovation; and
other regions to support sustainable aquaculture development. Detail on each project is attached as appendix one.

It is likely that these projects will continue for up to three years, because regional councils and industry are working within the framework of the new aquaculture legislation which is complex and has been previously untested. In addition, challenges to the Environment Court are possible, which could significantly slow progress.

This initiative is being led by the Aquaculture Implementation Team. Support for this initiative will come from existing agency baselines and the $0.900m (excluding GST) that Cabinet has agreed to be allocated from the RMA/CMA Contingency Fund in 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers].

Initiative 2: Support tools for AMA planning and management

The objective of this initiative is to establish good practices and to reduce the transaction costs, for both regional councils and industry, associated with the creation of new AMAs and the better use of existing space. This initiative will include the development and rollout of support tools by early 2007, including:

an AMA planning guide and a guide on information requirements for AMA development;
a review of the current environmental monitoring practices and options for improvement;
a report on the risk management approach to bonds and alternative instruments available⁴;
a report on the provisions of the new aquaculture legislation relating to the security of deemed AMAs, their potential impact and other options available to increase security of tenure;
a report on how the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) could include guidance on aquaculture development, to be used to provide impartial advice into the review of the NZCPS⁵; and
engagement with an informal working group of regional council representatives examining the ability of regional councils to use coastal occupation charges.

Initiative 3: Contestable aquaculture fund to assist regional councils

A major issue for regional councils is the cost of funding the initial information gathering, consultation, and planning work for a new AMA. This needs to be balanced against competing ratepayer priorities. Government will help address this by providing financial assistance to regional councils to encourage them to invest in aquaculture development from 2007/08. The fund will support the following aquaculture planning activities:

a constraints mapping process to help identify areas not suitable for AMA development;
environmental impact studies and assessments of social and economic impacts;
other independent planning advice; and
the consultation process.
23 Cabinet has agreed to provide $2.000m (excluding GST) for this fund as a multi-year appropriation over five years commencing 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers].
24 The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) will administer the fund and the Aquaculture Chief Executives Steering Group will have responsibility for making final decisions on applications to the fund. Criteria and process details are being developed for approval by the Chief Executives Steering Group in early February 2007. The first invitation for bids will follow soon after.

Pillar 2: Improving public support

The objective of this pillar is to improve public understanding of aquaculture, including its benefits and risks, so that individuals and communities can make informed decisions about aquaculture development. Public opposition to aquaculture development is recognised as a key issue for both industry and regional councils and is a major constraint on aquaculture planning.

Government agencies hold a considerable amount of information on aquaculture, and can help coordinate the provision of timely, independent and accurate information on aquaculture.

Initiative 4: Improving public support for sustainable aquaculture

This initiative will be carried out in partnership with industry and will aim to provide regional decision makers and the public with good, up to date and independent information about the effects and benefits of aquaculture. Public support for aquaculture will be improved using a range of channels and will principally include the following activities:

development of communication material and other necessary information to support the priority projects and the development of a joint communication plan with the new industry body, New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd;
coordination of aquaculture web content (both government and industry); and
support for an aquaculture marketing campaign, to be led by industry. This would aim to support events and provide positive information about the benefits of aquaculture and seafood, in particular the health benefits of products, the economic, social and regional benefits, and the environmental benefits from being good environmental stewards.

The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) will work with industry to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative. It is expected that government can support this initiative from existing agency baselines and the $0.900m (excluding GST) that Cabinet has agreed to be allocated from the RMA/CMA Contingency Fund in 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers]. Any additional support will be dependent on a strong case being made by industry and satisfactory progress in the implementation of this initiative.

Pillar 3: Promoting Māori success

The objective of this pillar is to equip Māori with the necessary resources to develop a sustainable aquaculture model that takes into account both development and stewardship issues. This will include actively participating in the AMA planning process and sharing and contributing to the benefits of growth in the sector.

The aquaculture strategy provides Māori with a number of opportunities to strengthen their existing involvement in aquaculture. Māori are already extensively involved in the aquaculture industry and it is vital to retain, develop, and share their expertise and knowledge.

The following factors have been identified as critical to the success of this pillar:

the economic viability of settled AMA space;
access to industry and commercial expertise;
capability and capacity to participate in RMA processes;
an emphasis on iwi working together at a regional level to maximise the benefits of settlement assets;
ensuring that the wider environmental concerns of Māori complement Māori commercial aquaculture ventures; and
relationship building between iwi, community, industry, regional and central government.

The initiatives under this pillar do not directly address the provision of pre-commencement settlement space for Māori⁶ but provide a basis on which the provision of settlement space can subsequently be addressed by facilitating ongoing aquaculture development and by laying the foundation for enhanced participation by Māori in aquaculture.

Te Puni Kokiri (TPK) will lead the implementation of this pillar.

Initiative 5: Priority project to encourage Māori involvement in aquaculture

This project was approved by aquaculture ministers in August 2006. It will help Māori to be active participants in the other priority projects in all relevant regions, by providing support for capability building and strategic planning, and by facilitating commercial ventures between Māori and industry. Further detail on this project is included in appendix one.

Support for this initiative will come from existing agency baselines and the $0.900m (excluding GST) that Cabinet has agreed to be allocated from the RMA/CMA Contingency Fund in 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers].

Initiative 6: Enabling programmes to support Māori in aquaculture

This initiative aims to develop a framework to support Māori participation in aquaculture development. This will involve agencies (TPK, MED, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology) working together to determine if the following government business assistance programmes and regional development programmes can adequately support aquaculture development or if they require modification:

Māori Business Facilitation Services - TPK;
Poutama Trust - TPK;
Māori Potential Fund - TPK;
Regional Partnership Programme - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE); and
Technology New Zealand - the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST).
37 Support for this initiative will come from existing agency baselines.

Pillar 4: Capitalising on research and innovation

The objective of this pillar is to support innovation in aquaculture and generate a higher return on investment from existing and new species, products and production techniques. This will include research to improve the value of existing species and products, but more importantly research relating to new species (e.g. King Fish and Tuna) and products (e.g. nutraceuticals and waste reduction technology).

The aquaculture strategy recognises that the sector is focused on a small number of species (Greenshell Mussels, King Salmon and Pacific Oysters) and that globally, most aquaculture sectors are built on a small number of species. While a continued focus on these existing species is necessary, it is unlikely to be sufficient to achieve NZD 1 billion in sales by 2025. Greenshell Mussels and Pacific Oysters are relatively low-value species when compared to other species, such as marine fish. The New Zealand aquaculture sector must diversify and improve the market revenue of higher-value species.

In addition to the initiatives proposed below, officials from MfE and MFish are also investigating options for legislative change to better provide for experimental aquaculture. Under the current law, all experimental aquaculture must be conducted within an existing or new AMA. This process requires plan changes, which are costly and likely to be lengthy in duration. The aquaculture industry see this as a major deterrent to experimental aquaculture.

Initiative 7: Priority project on research and innovation

This project aims to remove impediments to research and innovation and explore options for new aquaculture species and technologies in both existing and new aquaculture space. Key initiatives include:

a change to the regional coastal plan for Waikato to allow finfish farming on some selected mussel farms in the region,
an investigation into the possibility of a legislative change to better provide for experimental aquaculture; and
guidance for councils on how to provide more flexibility to allow for the better use of both existing and new aquaculture space within their regional coastal plans.

This priority project was approved by aquaculture ministers in August 2006 and is being led by MED in consultation with the Aquaculture Implementation Team. Support for this initiative will come from existing agency baselines and the $0.900m (excluding GST) that Cabinet has agreed to be allocated from the RMA/CMA Contingency Fund in 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers]. Further detail on this project is included in appendix one.

Initiative 8: Support for aquaculture research and development workshops

This initiative will help government facilitate one or more aquaculture research and development workshops in 2007 and kick start the development of the aquaculture research and development strategy. New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd will take the lead role in the workshops and the development of the strategy.

These workshops will bring together the industry, research community, environmental groups, Mäori and relevant government agencies to discuss and reach agreement on aquaculture research and development priorities going forward and raise awareness of available funding mechanisms within industry and government. This information will then be used by New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd to develop a whole-of-industry research and development strategy to inform public and private investment decisions on aquaculture research.

In 2005/06, FRST provided assistance of $6.437m for specific aquaculture research projects through its Research, Science and Technology (RS&T) portfolios. $4.000m of this assistance was directed towards shellfish. It is likely that this level of funding will continue for 2006/07 and 2007/08. FRST is also investing $16.000m in marine environment research in 2006/07.

Opportunities will exist in 2008/09 to re-prioritise aquaculture research projects towards new species and product development. This will depend on the completion of the aquaculture industry research and development strategy.

MFish, MED and FRST will lead this initiative. Support for this initiative will come from existing agency baselines.

Initiative 9: Support for ‘transformative' aquaculture cluster development

The New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy and the Food and Beverage Taskforce, acknowledged the need for greater collaboration between science, industry and other relevant stakeholders and greater support for the development of collaborative entities, such as clusters, to facilitate this.

The development of a transformative aquaculture cluster, bringing together industry and researchers in the aquaculture sector, could be a powerful instrument to lift the innovative capacity and international linkages of groups of firms in the sector.

MED is currently leading a process to develop the tools necessary to better facilitate and align government activity around transformative clusters and firms. This is in response to a concern, from the Minister for Economic Development, that current economic development programmes are too fragmented and dispersed to support transformational economic activity. This process involves bringing together a range of current funding streams to focus more clearly on the objectives of business assistance as outlined in the Business Assistance Review [EXG (06) 32 refers], and undertake larger, more targeted interventions.

The Minister for Industry and Regional Development has asked MED officials to provide more detailed advice on mechanisms to support larger, more targeted interventions by April 2007, in consultation with the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, NZTE, FRST, Treasury, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This will be informed by the recommendations agreed to in the Expenditure Review of Business Assistance, particularly those regarding the establishment of priorities for business assistance programmes, and the need for better coordination of policy settings and strategies across government.

Pillar 5: Increasing market revenues

The objective of this pillar is to support the growth (volume and value) of aquaculture exports in new and existing markets with a particular focus on market access and the identification of market opportunities for new species and products. The government, and in particular NZTE, has at its disposal the following resources to support this pillar:

offshore market knowledge, including consumer trends, distribution channels, product information and competitor analysis by geographical location; and
access to key contacts and networks in-market.
53 According to the aquaculture strategy, current market revenue is dominated by Greenshell Mussel, King Salmon and Pacific Oysters and the export markets of USA, Japan and Australia. This narrow focus on export species and markets means the New Zealand aquaculture sector is at risk of being undercut by larger commodity producing countries, such as China and Chile.
54 The aquaculture strategy notes there is a need for more market research, stronger international linkages and strategic alliances, wider and deeper market access, investment promotion, and generic sector marketing and branding.

Initiative 10: Supporting a New Zealand aquaculture marketing package

This initiative aims to support an industry-led aquaculture marketing package that will include:

market research to build on existing strengths and investigate opportunities for new species, products and markets;
the development of an aquaculture quality mark supported by an internationally recognised audit process;
the development of a New Zealand aquaculture brand;
expanded in-market assistance for aquaculture firms; and
development of an investment strategy including inward and outward investment.
56 NZTE will provide initial support in 2006/07 of $0.050m to help the aquaculture industry identify priority areas for market research and market development. This will plot the roadmap forward for the marketing package. Additional government support for this package will be considered by NZTE, upon receipt of a specific proposal(s) from industry.

Supporting mechanisms for the five pillars

It is recommended that government commit to the following mechanisms to support the implementation of the five pillars, monitor progress, and ensure an ongoing engagement with industry:

a continuation of the Aquaculture Ministers Group to ensure a whole-of-government approach to aquaculture. This will continue to include the Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Conservation, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Mäori Affairs, Minister for Industry and Regional Development, and Minister for the Environment;
a continuation of the Chief Executives Steering Group to provide strategic direction to agencies on aquaculture. Dr John Glaister, Chief Executive of MFish, will continue to chair this group, with additional representation from MED, NZTE, Department of Conservation (DoC), MfE and TPK;
assistance with the establishment of industry and government aquaculture forums. The forums will focus on the implementation of the aquaculture strategy and will enable the Chief Executives Steering Group and Aquaculture Ministers Group to discuss progress with industry. The industry will be responsible for leading these forums. It is anticipated that the first forum will be held in early 2007 to coincide with the establishment of New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd and then be held on a half-yearly basis initially;
a continuation of the Aquaculture Implementation Team to provide whole-of-government coordination to ensure the successful implementation of the government's response to the aquaculture strategy; and
a national aquaculture position statement that articulates government's support for sustainable aquaculture developmentin response theaquaculture sector strategy. This is a non-statutory document. A copy of this is attached as appendix two.

Consultation

The following departments and agencies have been consulted and agree with the recommendations in this paper: MfE, MFish, MED, NZTE, DoC and TPK.

The following departments and agencies have been informed: Biosecurity New Zealand, FRST, TEC, Treasury and the Department of Labour.

The New Zealand Aquaculture Council and Te Ohu Kaimoana[8] were consulted during the development of this proposed government response. Local Government New Zealand was consulted during the development of the national position statement on aquaculture.

Fiscal Implications

There are no direct fiscal implications in this paper.

Human Rights

The recommendations in this paper have no human rights implications.

Legislative Implications

The recommendations in this paper have no legislative implications.

Regulatory Impact and Compliance Cost Statement

The recommendations in this paper have no regulatory impact and impose no compliance costs.

Publicity

MED will prepare, for aquaculture ministers' approval, a publication incorporating:

the key aspects of the government response to the aquaculture strategy;
the National Position Statement on Aquaculture;
case studies and key facts that illustrate innovative, sustainable aquaculture; and
an introduction from aquaculture ministers.
66 This publication will become the government's principle document for aquaculture. Communications will also include the public release of this Cabinet paper on the internet.
67 The release of the publication is proposed to coincide with the launch of New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd, in Nelson, on 18 April 2007.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Committee

1 Note that the New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy was launched on 28 July 2006;
2 Note that this response outlines the initial commitments that government will make, in response to the aquaculture strategy, for the next two to three years;
3 Note that this response is aligned with the priorities of the industry;
4 Agree that this response will focus government activity in a few key areas, aimed at:
4.1 implementing the regulatory regime for aquaculture, to encourage investment in the sector; and
4.2 transforming the aquaculture sector into a higher value contributor to the New Zealand economy - this intent is why the aquaculture sector was selected as one of the three priority sectors under the economic transformation agenda[9] [CBC Min (06) 213 refers];

agree/disagree

5 Note that the government response broadens the focus from the implementation of the aquaculture legislation and the regulatory environment to working with the industry to support its transformation;
6 Agree to the five proposed pillars (areas of targeted government activity):
6.1 Building confidence to invest: To encourage both regional councils and industry to invest in new aquaculture management areas (AMAs) and support the improved use of existing space;
6.2 Improving public support: To improve public understanding of aquaculture, including its benefits and risks, so that individuals and communities can make informed decisions about aquaculture development;
6.3 Promoting Mäori success: To equip Māori with the necessary resources to develop a sustainable aquaculture model that takes into account both development and stewardship issues;
6.4 Capitalising on research and innovation: To support innovation in aquaculture and generate a higher return on investment from existing and new species, products and production techniques; and
6.5 Increasing market revenues: To support the growth (volume and value) of aquaculture exports in new and existing markets with a particular focus on market access and the identification of market opportunities for new species and products;

agree/disagree

7 Note that other pillars considered during the development of this response were environmental sustainability and investment in training, education and workforce promotion. It was agreed that environmental sustainability is pervasive across all five pillars and the industry do not see training, education and workforce promotion as an immediate priority;
8 Note that the government's response includes a mix of new initiatives and initiatives already being implemented as part of the work programme of the Aquaculture Implementation Team;
9 Note that the initiatives proposed reflect the need for both immediate progress and the building of strong foundations for the future;
10 Note that each pillar has several related initiatives and ten key initiatives exist in total;
11 Agree to the ten initiatives proposed:
11.1 Initiative 1: Priority projects to create new AMA space in Northland and Auckland, encourage research and innovation and facilitate regional partnerships;
11.2 Initiative 2: Support tools for AMA planning and management;
11.3 Initiative 3: Contestable aquaculture fund to assist regional councils;
11.4 Initiative 4: Improving public support for sustainable aquaculture;
11.5 Initiative 5: Priority project to encourage Mäori involvement in aquaculture;
11.6 Initiative 6: Enabling programmes to support Mäori in aquaculture;
11.7 Initiative 7: Priority project on research and innovation;
11.8 Initiative 8: Support for aquaculture research and development workshops;
11.9 Initiative 9: Support for ‘transformative' aquaculture cluster development; and
11.10 Initiative 10: Supporting a New Zealand aquaculture marketing package;

agree/disagree

12 Note that support for initiatives 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 will be met from existing agency baselines and the $0.900m (excluding GST) that Cabinet has agreed to be allocated from the RMA/CMA Contingency Fund in 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers];
13 Note that Cabinet has agreed to provide $2.000m (excluding GST) for initiative 3 (contestable aquaculture fund to assist regional councils ) over five years commencing 2006/07 [CAB Min (06) 44/4 refers];
14 Note that support for initiative 6 (enabling programmes to support Mäori in aquaculture) and initiative 8 (support for aquaculture research and development workshops) will come from within existing agency baselines;
15 Note that in relation to initiative 9, the Minister for Industry and Regional Development has asked MED officials to provide detailed advice on mechanisms to support larger, more targeted interventions by April 2007, in consultation with the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, NZTE, FRST, Treasury, TEC and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry;
16 Note that NZTE will provide initial support for initiative 10 in 2006/07 of $0.050m to help the aquaculture industry identify priority areas for market research and market development. Additional support for this initiative will be considered by NZTE, upon receipt of a specific proposal(s) from industry;
17 Note that in addition to the five pillars and initiatives, the following activities also have the potential to deliver significant assistance to the aquaculture sector:
17.1 the cross-government response to the Food and Beverage Taskforce report being led by MED;
17.2 options for a range of tax reductions to encourage business investment in research and development, export market development and enhance skills in the workforce; and
17.3 the Market Development Assistance Scheme (MDAS) receiving a one off funding boost of $33.750m, over and above the appropriation of $27.107m in 20006/07, for Export Year 2007 [CAB Min 42/9 refers];
18 Agree that government commit to the following mechanisms to support the implementation of the five pillars, monitor progress, and ensure an ongoing engagement with industry:
18.1 a continuation of the Aquaculture Ministers Group;
18.2 a continuation of the Chief Executives Steering Group;
18.3 assistance with the establishment of industry and government forums on aquaculture;
18.4 a continuation of the Aquaculture Implementation Team; and
18.5 a national aquaculture position statement;

agree/disagree

19 Note that MED will prepare, for aquaculture ministers' approval, a publication incorporating the key aspects of the government response to the aquaculture strategy and a national position statement on aquaculture;
20 Note the release of the publication is proposed to coincide with the launch of New Zealand Aquaculture Ltd, in Nelson, on 18 April 2007.

¹The New Zealand Aquaculture Council has prioritised the actions included in the aquaculture strategy.

²The other two being food and beverage and tourism.

³This team is led by Ministry for the Environment and supported by Ministry of Fisheries, Department of Conservation, MED, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Te Puni Kokiri, Te Ohu Kaimoana, Local Government New Zealand, and representatives from regional council and industry.

⁴This is in response to industry concern that some councils may impose financial bonds on consents for marine farming activities.

⁵The Minister of Conservation is currently undertaking a review of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS).

⁶Pre-commencement settlement space refers to 20% of marine farming space covered by permits, leases or licenses first issued between 21 September 1992 and 1 January 2005. The Crown can fulfil its ‘pre-commencement space' obligations by:

Allocating to the Māori trustee a further 20% of new space created by council-initiated plan changes; or
Buying existing aquaculture space for settlement purposes, after 1 January 2008, or
Providing the trustee with the financial equivalent, after 1 January 2013.

⁷The value:volume ratio of molluscs is 0.69 compared to 2.95 for marine fish: Global aquaculture production by species (volume and value), 2004; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Fisheries Department.

⁸Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Ltd, is the trustee for the Takutai Trust. The Takutai Trust is the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Settlement Trust, established by the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.

⁹The other two sectors being Food and Beverage and Tourism.