Q: What is Aquaculture:
A: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic species like fish, shellfish and plants.

Q: What species are commercially farmed in New Zealand waters?
A: Greenshell Mussels, King Salmon and Pacific Oysters – click here for more details

Q: Where are they farmed?
A: Aquaculture utilises approximately 0.2 per cent of New Zealand’s coast line. Click here for a map detailing New Zealand’s growing regions for each species.

Q: Why farm in New Zealand waters?
A: Our pristine environment and innovative people combine to make New Zealand one of the world’s great aquaculture producers, renowned for the freshness and flavour of our products. The untouched natural environment allows us to sustainably produce some of the highest-quality seafood products in the world.

Q: How many people does the sector employ?
A: There are currently 3000 people employed across the sector, but that number is expected to increase significantly as the industry expands over the coming years.

Q: How much does New Zealand’s aquaculture industry produce?
A: The industry generated more than $380 Million in revenue in 2009. Of that $279 million was injected into the New Zealand economy through export sales.

Q: What impact does New Zealand’s aquaculture have on the environment?
A: Environmental sustainability is central to the industry.  Without a clean and healthy marine environment aquaculture cannot exist.  The New Zealand Aquaculture industry strongly believes it holds a stewardship role and actively protects the unpolluted waters by adhering to species specific Environmental Codes of Practice.  These Codes of Practice direct best industry practices throughout growing and harvesting to minimise potential effects on the environment. The New Zealand government also has a number of environmental controls in place, including the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 and the Fisheries Act 1996.  The planning and approval process for coastal aquaculture in New Zealand are the strictest in the world, considering each farm’s potential environmental effects as well as its possible cultural and social effects.  These processes are run by regional councils who set conditions and monitor farm operations to ensure compliance. Click here for more information