Promising rich harvests for our future generation.
Isolated with a small population and a clean natural environment, New Zealand has a history of environmental guardianship and responsible management of its natural resources. Not only is aquaculture based on renewable resources, it depends for its existence on pristine water – it therefore has a stewardship role in assisting to protect New Zealand’s aquatic environment. Its marine environment is more than 15 times larger than its terrestrial area; with the world’s fourth-largest coastal fishing zone, New Zealand has developed a world-class aquaculture industry.
To mitigate environmental impacts the New Zealand government has a number of environmental controls in place, including the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 and the Fisheries Act 1996. The RMA is the principal New Zealand law governing coastal management and the growth and management of coastal uses, including aquaculture. The planning and approval process for coastal aquaculture in New Zealand considers 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.
The New Zealand Aquaculture industry also 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.
Independent recognition of the New Zealand aquaculture industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability has come from international conservation organisation the U.S based Blue Ocean Institute. This organisation rated New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels as one of the top two sustainable seafood in the world in the Guide to Ocean Friendly Species.
Global Collaboration
The New Zealand Aquaculture Sector recognises the importance of the global supply of aquaculture products and the crucial role in providing a protein source for future generations. It is committed to work in partnership with government and with conservation alliances worldwide to assist in the creation of globalised standards for best practice to minimize key environmental and social impacts. New Zealand continues to participate in the WWF Aquaculture Dialogues for molluscs with a goal to create performance-based standards that will minimize the key social and environmental issues associated with mollusc farming.
