Oyster farm in operation, showing rows of oyster baskets in shallow water near the shore in Kawhia Harbour, Kawhia, Waikato, New Zealand. The oyster farmers grow oysters for food consumption.
Adobe Stock
Key representatives from the aquaculture industry, Māori communities (iwi), research organisations, and local and national authorities gathered at the Waikato Aquaculture Forum in New Zealand to define a roadmap for the future growth of the sector in the region.
One of the main objectives of the Waikato Regional Aquaculture Strategy is to double the value of aquaculture exports to reach NZD 180 million (approximately EUR 91.2 million) by 2044.
"Here in Thames and across Coromandel, we have a strong connection to the aquaculture industry; it is part of our history, our identity, and our future. For our communities, this means jobs, resilience, and keeping our towns thriving all year round," stated the Mayor of the Thames-Coromandel District, Peter Revell.
To be precise, this district produces 26% of New Zealand's mussels and 23% of its oysters. The sector also directly employs around 400 people in Coromandel.
Among the most discussed topics at the forum were regulatory changes and how local infrastructure can better support the industry. In addition, researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato highlighted the importance of improving spat supply reliability and developing new aquaculture species.
Regarding this, New Zealand aquaculture producer Jake Bartrom said: "Infrastructure such as the Ariki Tahi Sugarloaf Wharf is critical to the future of aquaculture in Waikato. If we want to grow the industry, we need facilities capable of supporting that growth."
Thanks to an event held in 2022, the Waikato Regional Aquaculture Group (WRAG) was established, and this forum has continued its work. This has also helped identify priority actions for the next three years.
"We are now gathering feedback from participants on the main barriers, opportunities, and practical solutions. WRAG will take this into account in shaping its action plan for the coming years," concluded WRAG Chair Rebecca Clarkson.
Recently, the New Zealand Government revised the National Environmental Standards for Marine Aquaculture to simplify permitting processes, reduce bureaucracy, and make it easier for producers to expand or modify farms, test new technologies, and improve production methods, without lowering environmental standards.