May 9, 2007

New Zealand's government pledges support for aquaculture

The New Zealand government has approved a project to facilitate research and innovation around new aquaculture species and technologies in both existing and new aquaculture space, Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said today.

Saying that aquaculture is a priority for the government, Anderton said he believed that sustainable aquaculture can contribute to economic development on both regional and national scale.

To make sure New Zealand gets the best value from its aquaculture development, it would have to be at the forefront of technology and industry best practice, he added. He also said the Government is looking at a law change or other methods to encourage experimental aquaculture.

Anderton said Aquaculture New Zealand was developing a national research strategy for the aquaculture sector, which would provide guidance to providers and the Foundation for Research Science and Technology about research priorities for aquaculture over the next five to ten years.

For New Zealand aquaculture to fulfill its potential, there must be greater cooperation between science, industry and other stakeholders, he said.

The government is also fully backing the industry in its goal of being a US$1 billion dollar business by 2025, he added.