Investment certainty needed to hit goal

NEW ZEALAND - Reaching a $1 billion-plus target for aquaculture exports by 2025 will require support from regional councils, particularly in the upper North Island, says the Aquaculture Council.

The target - which the council says is modest - is part of a new industry strategy which has strong backing from the Government.

"We've just got to get the regional councils on board", said aquaculture council chairman Callum McCallum, a director of Clevedon Coast Oysters.

Five years ago, a goal of having exports worth $1 billion by 2020 was set. But because of a moratorium from 2001 until last year on new farms, the date has been shifted back to 2025.

The Government and the industry are now focusing on getting the Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional councils to establish aquaculture management areas.

Source: New Zealand Herald