Industry Development
New Zealanders’ love of farmed seafoods has helped spur the growth of aquaculture here. Oysters were first farm-raised on marine farms in the 1960s, followed by mussels in the 1970s, and salmon in the 1980s.
Today, all the fresh or chilled salmon, mussel and Pacific oyster products you find in New Zealand shops or restaurants have been farm-raised right here. In fact, New Zealanders eat over $100 million of these locally farmed seafoods each year.
Like other types of farming, the key to farming quality seafood is about having the ideal conditions for animals and plants to grow in. This means siting farms in places where the marine environment is healthy and water quality is good.
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.
The regulations governing aquaculture in New Zealand are comparatively recent and reflect our growing knowledge of the marine environment and the potential for human effects on it.
The government's commitment to environmental sustainability means there are good planning processes around establishing aquaculture ventures. These processes are supported by sound information. And since coastal waters are public property, our communities are also closely involved in this decision-making.
Māori are significant players in New Zealand’s aquaculture industry and their role is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. The government recognises the importance of working with Māori to realise new aquaculture opportunities, as well as meeting the Crown’s Treaty obligations to iwi (Māori tribes).
The government has identified aquaculture as New Zealand’s fastest growing primary industry that can bring New Zealand significant economic growth in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Currently worth in excess of $350 million to our national economy, New Zealand’s aquaculture industry is working to become a sustainable billion dollar business by 2025. It’s a goal that has full government support.
Key government agencies support the work of regional councils and industry to help sustainable development and growth of this sector.
