The Te Ohu Kai Moana perspective
Science Centres: Fisheries
Maori are at the forefront of New Zealand’s aquaculture industry. Iwi initiatives – developed solely by iwi or through joint ventures with the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission subsidiary companies – are currently underway on the east coast of the North and South Islands, the Bay of Plenty, Thames, Auckland, and Northland, to name a few areas.
New Zealand aquaculture is growing in both volume and value and offers good opportunities to put more Maori into the business of fishing. Te Ohu Kai Moana and its subsidiaries have endeavoured for Maori to be at the leading edge of aquaculture and fisheries management in New Zealand and this is bearing fruit.
That’s why Te Ohu Kai Moana is pleased to be associated with the opening of NIWA’s Bream Bay complex on 24 April. This facility will provide valuable research to keep Maori and New Zealand at the top of this growing industry.
There’s a good future for such initiatives, as aquaculture will provide sustainable opportunities for Maori. In contrast to our wild fisheries, which are either at sustainable levels or are being rebuilt to sustainable levels, aquaculture is growing in volume. The global demand for fisheries products is currently outstripping supply and it doesn't look like changing in the near future. Aquaculture can provide not only a regular quality of product, but also a regular sure supply of certain species.
Te Ohu Kai Moana fully supports NIWA in its Bream Bay Aquaculture initiative, and will work alongside to provide opportunities for all Maori, including fish farmers, researchers, scientists, and others.