Aquaculture report identifies strong prospects for growth

8 April, 2003

ENTERPRISE NORTHLAND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT GROUP: MEDIA RELEASES 2003

A study into the potential for development of Aquaculture in Northland suggests that the industry could grow from generating direct income of around $20 million a year, to $100 million a year within 10 years.

A four-fold increase would, according to research by NIWA, directly generate about 1300 new full-time jobs, and several hundred more jobs in downstream industries.

At present Aquaculture in Northland directly employs around 320 full-time employees and earns an estimated $20 million a year. It is estimated that it also indirectly stimulates further economic activity of around $20 million and generate at least a further 100 jobs.

The research, undertaken by NIWA's Principal Marine Ecology and Aquaculture Scientist, Dr Andrew Jeffs, is contained in a report commissioned by Enterprise Northland, Industry New Zealand and Te Puni Kokiri to assess the potential for aquaculture development in Northland.

Copies of the report are available from NIWA's website (www.niwa.co.nz/ncfa/news-pubs ).

The report says there is excellent potential for the development of aquaculture in Northland because the area has a very good range of aquaculture growing conditions, good existing infrastructure and candidate species, as well as an established local aquaculture industry.

However, it says that aquaculture activity in Northland is currently growing at a slower rate than both the New Zealand and Australian aquaculture industries.

The report also notes that more than 90 percent of current aquaculture earnings in Northland are from Pacific Oysters, with the remainder being from Mussel farming, and says there is a need to diversify the species farmed.

Dr Jeffs says the major impediments to the growth of aquaculture in Northland are negative public attitudes toward marine farming, "and a long history of an unhelpful regulatory framework."

"Negative attitudes are based on perceived conflicts with public use and natural values of the marine environment. To a large extent these attitudes reflect a lack of understanding of the actual benefits and impacts of specific marine farming activities," Dr Jeffs says.

The report says research on the environmental impacts of existing marine farming activities in Northland indicate they are relatively small, very localised and likely to be completely reversed once the farm activity is removed.

"Likewise, the general experience from establishing new marine farms is that they do not necessarily unduly affect the wider public use and enjoyment of the marine environment.

He says any negative impacts are relatively trivial when compared to the positive social and economic benefits that aquaculture brings to the Region overall.

Dr Jeffs says Maori are extensively involved in aquaculture activities in Northland at many levels, including as employees, owners, owner-operators, and shareholders and beneficiaries of larger companies.

"In the past there have been extensive efforts to assist Maori to use aquaculture to further develop their economic base in Northland."

"That opportunity continues today, especially as Northland iwi are well placed to receive substantial seafood assets and earnings through the proposed allocation from the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission," Dr Jeffs says.

"Some of these resources could well be invested in developing Northland aquaculture, and mechanisms for encouraging this development should follow the more successful examples of economic intervention previously used for Maori aquaculture development in Northland."

Dr Jeffs says as well as economic benefits, aquaculture brings other positive benefits to Northland that are often overlooked.

"For example, the marine shellfish farming industry is a strong environmental watchdog and advocate for maintaining water quality in sensitive harbour and coastal areas. The water quality in many of these areas is increasingly at risk as Northland's coastal fringes continue to be urbanised and developed."

He says proposed changes in the regulatory regime for aquaculture has resulted in planning initiatives (establishing Aquaculture Management Areas) that are likely to set the long-term limitations on marine farm expansion in Northland.

"Therefore, conveying the growth aspirations of the aquaculture industry in this boundary setting process is critical in determining the long-term economic potential of this industry."

Dr Jeffs says the Northland tourism industry can benefit from growth in the Aquaculture industry.

"There are potential conflicts with aquaculture activities, but these can be managed, and the presence of tourists provides an excellent opportunity to promote aquaculture products and activities, and develop new and novel opportunities for tourist aquaculture ventures and outlets."

The chairman of Enterprise Northland's Aquaculture Development Group, Dr Eric Stephens, says the report is a sensible, well-researched, document that demonstrates the potential social and economic value of developing aquaculture in Northland.

"We will now seek support from both government and private sector interests to ensure the recommendations are acted on, and the opportunities realised."

Dr Stephens says the group will concentrate on six species that NIWA has identified as having particular development potential in Northland.

These are Scallops, Crayfish, Eels, Oysters, Mussels, and Kingfish.

"To breath life into the report's recommendations - and new life into Northland Aquaculture - we believe it is critically important to ensure that Maori interests are stakeholders in any new development."

"Not bolted on to any new development initiatives, but as a key foundation. Indeed we believe that unless Maori interests are so involved, little or no progress will be made in realising the opportunities outlined in Dr Jeffs' research.

"We are developing ideas with interested parties about how to work toward this goal, and will detail these in due course."

Meanwhile, Dr Stephens has cautioned the Government to listen closely to industry concerns about the proposed Aquaculture Management Area Legislation.

"It is apparent that the regulatory regime, as it is currently proposed, has very serious flaws in it that, unless dealt with, may seriously undermine attempts to grow aquaculture, and indeed may threaten the viability of the industry as it exists today."

Dr Stephens has congratulated Industry New Zealand and Te Puni Kokiri for supporting the research.

"Their involvement with Enterprise Northland in producing this research shows what can be achieved when pro-development agencies work in partnership."

For further information:
Dr Andrew Jeffs
Aquaculture Programme Leader
NIWA
025 657 1389

Dr Eric Stephens
Enterprise Northland Aquaculture Development Group
(09) 405 9776