Northland - a region with aquaculture potential
Science Centres: Fisheries
Northland’s depressed regional economy could generate up to 1300 new jobs and $100 million a year of income from aquaculture within 10 years, according to a NIWA study.
An oyster farm in Northland
Dr Andrew Jeffs has identified Northland as one of the best prospects for aquaculture development in the country. However, he also concluded that the lack of a clear regulatory regime, combined with poor industry skills development and leadership, as well as negative public attitudes, had been holding back the growth of the industry. Although the aquaculture industry in Northland has been growing at about 10% per year, this is only about half the current rate of growth of the industry nationally and for similar regions overseas.
The Northland study provided a clear picture of the aquaculture industry and some practical suggestions on how to get it growing faster, according to Grant Woolliams, Executive Director of Enterprise Northland, which commissioned the research. Enterprise Northland is now working to implement the recommendations from the study, so that the economic and social benefits of a growing aquaculture sector can be realised.
The report identified six key species with aquaculture development potential for the region, and NIWA is now completing more detailed assessments for the development of each of them.
Grant Woolliams considers that the timing of the study dovetailed with current changes in coastal planning for aquaculture. It provided very useful information on potential regional economic development, which is vital to the planning process. ‘We’ve got outstanding potential for this industry here in Northland. The challenge now is to make it happen’, said Grant.
He believes that other regions of the country may benefit from studies similar to the Northland one, which was supported by Industry New Zealand and Te Puni Kokiri.
The report is available from the News, Publications & Background Information page of the National Centre for Fisheries & Aquaculture website or from b.wilson@niwa.co.nz