He is commenting on Fisheries Minister Jim Andertons message to the Aquaculture Councils conference and AGM in Nelson today, in which he said New Zealand is entering a new era of partnership with the industry.
The reality is that New Zealands aquaculture industry is struggling to survive in the face of Labours bureaucratic reforms, says Mr Heatley.
This so-called new era trumpeted by Mr Anderton has seen the introduction of aquaculture reforms that will result in taxpayers being required to make a cash payment to Maori if the Fisheries Ministry cannot find water space equivalent to around 240 marine farms to gift to Maori by 2014.
The Government of the day will have to front up with a cheque for $250 million unless 20% of existing aquaculture space, and 20% of new space, is found for Maori.
Labours own Dover Samuels has said the legislation is unworkable. No new aquaculture management areas have been created since the reforms were introduced.
Even aquaculture research is hamstrung because researchers must be working in designated aquaculture management areas to conduct even small-scale field trials.
The balance is currently set against the industry, and it is going to tip further if this Government continues with its weasel words and lack of action.
With our natural resources, clean water and business smarts, we should be harnessing the full potential of our aquaculture industry.
Instead, Labour has put in place a cumbersome set of regulations that few are satisfied with, except, it seems, Jim Anderton.
TheFishSite News Desk
The real 'new era' for aquaculture
NEW ZEALAND - Nationals Fisheries spokesman, Phil Heatley, says the Governments idea of a new era for aquaculture involves strangling the industry to death with bureaucracy and dodgy reforms.
The real 'new era' for aquaculture - NEW ZEALAND - Nationals Fisheries spokesman, Phil Heatley, says the Governments idea of a new era for aquaculture involves strangling the industry to death with bureaucracy and dodgy reforms.