A new government-backed project in New Zealand will aim to help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate growth and increase employment.
Nelson Tasman is a region that is host to more than 400 blue economy-related businesses. A figure that accounts for more than 30% of New Zealand's economic activity in fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing. Therefore, said the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Stuart Nash, it is an area full of opportunities to promote.
"There's an enormous opportunity to leverage the good reputation of Nelson Tasman's seafood and aquaculture sector. An opportunity to help connect with potential investors to boost innovation and growth", said Nash.
The main objective of the project is to create a blue economy cluster. In short, a group of seafood and aquaculture companies with a common interest in growing the sustainability and success of the sector. This would help to advance the group, as well as combine resources and know-how in the local sector.
The Government is contributing $500,000 over two years to the new Moananui – Blue Economy Cluster project through the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI's) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.
Finally Stuart Nash said the project naturally fits with the Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan currently under development. "The Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan is expected to identify the importance of collaboration across the sector, environmental sustainability, and innovation to the sector's success."
The New Zealand government is working on a Fisheries Industry Transformation Plan. It aims to improve the environmental performance of our commercial fisheries, and increase the value created from fishing.
With an expectation of a 10-year future change in the sector, it will also contribute to related sectors. Some are food and beverage, agrotechnology and advanced manufacturing. In short, all plans that contribute to a high-productivity, high-wage, low-emission economy, specifically in relation to this water industry.