Marlborough pushes aquaculture industry

Marlborough is rekindling plans to establish itself as a base for aquaculture research and education, with the industry out to boost exports and improve career paths for staff.

The region is a pioneer of the potentially lucrative industry.

Aquaculture businesses and educators in Marlborough are leading the new charge after two years of involvement with the Nelson-Marlborough Seafood Cluster apparently stagnated.

That cluster was established with Government grants in 2003 to make the top of the South Island an international leader in seafood education, training, research, and intellectual innovation.

Nelson had since received funding to build a Seafood Centre of Excellence, but various issues had delayed construction of the facility which was now not expected to be completed until next year.

Marlborough Regional Development Trust chairman Tony Smale said the aquaculture industry would remain involved with the wider cluster, but wanted to take control of its own destiny.

"There was an intention that when Marlborough joined the cluster, aquaculture would look after aquaculture. But the way the cluster was organised meant that didn't work," he said.

A steering group of representatives from aquaculture businesses and education facilities such as Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology was now looking at ways to improve industry training and research.

Setting up some sort of aquaculture and marine science facility or focus would complement similar centres of excellence developed for aviation and wine in Marlborough.

Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton had recently encouraged the region to consider applying for another $2 million in Government funding for an aquaculture centre of excellence, Mr Smale said.

The industry was keen to get the ball rolling in the meantime and was in the early stages of exploring ways to co-ordinate training and encourage scientific research in the region.

- nzpa