New Zealand authority has declared a final, intensive round of consultation prior to the drafting of new legislation that would allow the country’s aquaculture sector to begin growing. It is said that regulatory bottlenecks and laws that don’t cater well to aquaculture planning have caused the industry to stagnate.
Heatley was speaking at the annual Aquaculture New Zealand conference in Nelson. He welcomed a report from the aquaculture technical advisory group, which was set up by the government in July as an independent expert body. He told that this new legislation will enable the development of this crucial industry to achieve its goal of becoming a $1 billion contributor to the New Zealand economy – while always protecting the environment and recreational opportunities of other users of our coastal areas.
The advisory group of aquaculture practitioners and industry representatives was briefed to develop independent proposals for Ministers on aquaculture reform. According to Healtey the government took this step because the complexity, cost and uncertainty of the current regime, along with poor incentives for development were impeding aquaculture growth.
He explained that the ability to research and innovate was being stifled by inflexible rules that limited the ability to advance new technologies and the farming of higher value species.
