Marlborough Sets Aquaculture Areas to Boost Open Ocean Salmon Farming and Iwi Growth

The Government has set aside areas suitable for aquaculture to ensure Marlborough iwi have the opportunity to contribute to the region’s open ocean aquaculture boom, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

The two Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) ensure suitable space in the region remains available while the Crown and Te Tau Ihu iwi negotiate a settlement under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act, Mr Jones says.

With the launch earlier this year of New Zealand’s first open ocean salmon farm outside the Marlborough Sounds, I expect Marlborough to be at the forefront of this sector’s growth.

The two ASAs include 4056ha east of D’Urville Island, and 1870ha in Cloudy Bay. A smaller portion of these areas may eventually be used for marine farms, following further negotiations between iwi and the Crown.

All current fishing within ASAs, whether recreational, commercial, and customary, is not affected. Any aquaculture activities within the areas will need to go through the usual regulatory approval and consenting process.

The potential economic benefits from open ocean aquaculture for the Marlborough region cannot be overstated, Mr Jones says.

The establishment of these ASAs is an important step in the ongoing negotiations with iwi. They have the potential to result in iwi aquaculture projects in the region that generate significant export income, provide good stable jobs, and economic resilience.

The world cannot get enough of our sustainable kaimoana, and open ocean salmon farming will play a major role in increasing our production to capitalise on this demand.

More about the plan for aquaculture to achieve $3 billion in annual revenue by 2035 can be found in the Aquaculture Development Plan.