Niwa to make most of marine farming pause

The two-year moratorium on new aquaculture permits announced by the Government last month could benefit aquaculture research, planning and development.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research believes the moratorium will provide time to develop processes to ensure the sustainable management of the growing aquaculture industry.

The two-year moratorium will prevent councils processing new coastal permit applications for aquaculture operations such as mussel farms until new rules have been developed.

The Government identified shortcomings in the law which were creating difficulties in managing aquaculture, an industry worth more than $280 million a year in sales and providing more than 7000 jobs. It was seen as important to make the approval process for marine farms clear and effective.

Under the aquaculture reform, regional councils will be able to restrict aquaculture to defined aquaculture management areas.

Niwa's deputy chief executive for strategic development, Dr Rick Pridmore, said yesterday that the institute's new national fisheries and aquaculture centre at Bream Bay, south of Whangarei, could help regional councils develop their aquaculture management areas.

It conducted research into a range of areas including deepwater fish stocks, the effects of fishing on sea birds and evaluating snapper populations, and could help identify areas suitable for aquaculture.