Northland's major new $20 million pilot kingfish farming venture brings huge aquaculture potential for the region according to Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones.
Jones said the on-land aquaculture venture at Bream Bay near Whangārei focused on looking at how a commercial kingfish venture of its type could be used as a model to help others in Northland and around New Zealand to set up a similar enterprise.
He said opportunities from the new pilot could include the model being set up in areas such as Kaipara where he today opened the Ruawai headquarters of a local primary industry kick-start programme known as Kaipara Kai. The project is focused on boosting local primary industry across lower Northland, aquaculture among identified expansion opportunities.
The Government, through its Provincial Growth Fund, yesterday announced a $6 million grant for the Bream Bay pilot venture. This will take place seaside at the 8.4 hectare National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) marine farming research facility on Ruakākā north beach, south of Whangārei.
NIWA has developed aquaculture at the site for almost 20 years.