NEW ZEALAND DELIVERS PLAN FOR WORLD-LEADING AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

New Zealand Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash announced on Wednesday that the government will work alongside the aquaculture industry to deliver economic growth and jobs for the regions as part of an ambitious goal to become a 3-billion-NZ dollar industry by 2035. Speaking at the NZ Aquaculture Conference, Nash congratulated the industry on its work to grow the sector and New Zealand’s reputation for sustainable, healthy and high-value products. He also released the governments strategy for the industry.

“The strategy will build on that foundation, setting out a plan for government to support the industry over the next seven years, built around objectives and actions needed to realize a productive, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive aquaculture industry,” said Nash.

Alongside the 3-billion-NZ dollar goal, the New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy focuses efforts on the development of sustainable open ocean and land-based farming, increasing farm efficiency, increasing product value and environmental performance in existing inshore farming, building resilience to environment change, and supporting the development and adoption of new technologies and practices to reduce the industries contribution to waste and emissions.

“This is a strong statement of government support and partnership with industry toward an ambitious goal of 3 billion NZ dollars in aquaculture sales by 2035. It is also an opportunity to strengthen Brand New Zealand by positioning ourselves as world-leaders and producers of sustainable, healthy, and highly valued seafood products.