News and Events

Major boost for Waikato aquaculture development

20 March 2008 - Media release from Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick and Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley 

A significant step has been taken towards the development of a new marine farming zone in Wilson Bay announced Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick and Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley today.

“The growing $35 million aquaculture industry on the Coromandel has been given a major boost” said Steve Chadwick.

The two interim aquaculture management areas (AMAs) in the Firth of Thames were declared by an Order in Council. The new Wilson Bay Marine Farming Zone is 1.5 kilometres off the coast of Kereta, around 5 kilometres south of the entrance to Coromandel Harbour.

 The Government is encouraging the use of AMAs to make better use of existing aquaculture space and to support sustainable aquaculture practices.

“Declaring these areas to be interim AMAs is another step forward in implementing the aquaculture reforms” said Ms Chadwick.

Mr Buckley said: “My council is pleased progress has been made towards allowing further aquaculture development that will also ensure the interests of residents, boaties, fishers and tourists, as well as marine mammals and other wildlife, are looked after.”

Prior to the moratorium, aquaculture in one of the Wilson Bay sites had already become well established. Marine farming contributed $27 million annually to the regional economy, employed the equivalent of 270 full-time staff and paid $9.6 million in wages and salaries, a 2007 Environment Waikato report said. About another 100 full-time jobs were related to the industry.

“This is a good outcome for Environment Waikato, given their hard work to develop the aquaculture zone in Wilson Bay before the new legislation came into force” said Ms Chadwick.

The next step is for Environment Waikato to ask the Ministry of Fisheries to consider any effects of the interim aquaculture management areas on fishing and fisheries resources and impose any necessary reservations. 

Media contacts:
Department of Conservation: Sarah Hucker  (04) 494 1467 or 027 27 999 88
Environment Waikato: Graeme Silver (07) 8590958

Media release at http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/news.aspx?id=46099