Initiative to boost aquaculture

NEW ZEALAND - A new gameplan for aquaculture is being promoted by the Government as a billion-dollar sea change for the industry.

Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard today told the nation's fish farmers that instead of trying to boost income by expanding the size of their operation, they needed to learn to generate more value from each kilogram of fish.

"A key challenge in recognising the potential of aquaculture is the need for the sector to move further up the value chain, based on increases in productivity," he said.

The average value of New Zealand's aquaculture harvest is $3/kg, compared to a value of $20/kg in Australia, where there is a greater focus on high-value finfish, such as kingfish, in addition to shellfish.

Source: New Zealand Herald