By working with nature, nature works with you.
New Zealand marine farmers follow best practices developed by the industry to meet the growing global demand for safe, healthy seafood products. The New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussel Environmental Code of Practice (2007) directs best industry practices throughout the growing and harvesting cycle to minimise potential effects on the environment.
To mitigate environmental impacts the New Zealand government has a number of environmental controls in place, including the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the Fisheries Act 1996.
The planning and approval process for coastal aquaculture in New Zealand considers the farm’s potential environmental effects, as well as its possible cultural and social effects. These processes are run by regional councils under the Resource Management Act (RMA). This is the principal New Zealand law governing coastal management and the growth and management of coastal uses, including aquaculture. Regional councils will set conditions around farm operations and will monitor farms to ensure compliance.
The New Zealand marine farmer’s safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly practices have been recognised by the International Conservation Organisation Blue Ocean Institute, ranking New Zealand Greenshell™ Mussels as one of the top two ‘eco-friendly seafoods’ in the world. Blue Ocean systematically evaluates aquaculture operations based on five principal criteria: inherent operational risks, feed composition, pollution, risk to other species and ecological effects.
