Coromandel mussel and oyster farmers, along with industry, iwi, businesses and agencies last week celebrated the findings of a report which demonstrates the real economic and social value of aquaculture to the Thames-Coromandel and surrounding regions.
Some of the findings from The Economic Contribution of Marine Farming in the Thames-Coromandel District, written by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research include:
* About 30 per cent of NZ Greenshell mussel production and 24 per cent of New Zealand's Pacific Oyster production by weight is delivered by the Thames-Coromandel District.
* 7.2 per cent of the district's GDP comes from aquaculture, with a value of about $69.6 million per annum.
* Aquaculture generates $73m in exports per annum and $30+m in NZ retail sales.
* The industry directly employs up to 400 jobs within the district, with more jobs being created indirectly from charter boats, engineering, retail and the hospitality sectors.
* Iwi are well represented through private, corporate and trust investment opportunities.
One example is the Hauraki Maori Trust Board representing the 12 iwi of Hauraki, which has embarked on numerous economic development initiatives since settlement of its fisheries and aquaculture Treaty claim in 2007.
As well as quantifying the number of jobs, the NZIER report also looks at the social and environmental benefits of the aquaculture industry and growth forecasts, with current proposals for new consented marine farming areas having the potential to increase production of mussels and oysters up to 50 per cent.
Tourism, employment and recreational pursuits were all boosted by the aquaculture industry, Thames-Coromandel District mayor Sandra Goudie said.
