Greenshell mussels continue to be the region’s primary aquaculture product with 25,000 tonnes produced per year, followed by Pacific oysters with 500 tonnes. But with a coastal and marine environment making up a third of the region, there is opportunity to further grow and develop our ‘blue economy’.

Over the next 20 years, our goal is to double the value of the region’s aquaculture exports to $180 million. While ambitious, Growing Together – Whakatupu Ngātahi supports a growth pathway for the industry to become more productive.

The strategy identifies opportunities to lift the productivity of existing marine farms, grow new and additional species, invest in aquaculture infrastructure, technology and services, enable local employment, and diversify the industry into new markets.

Unlocking these opportunities will require securing sufficient supply of resilient mussel spat, conversion of traditional oyster farm techniques to more productive line and basket methods, and capital investment in critical enabling infrastructure, business ventures and in-ocean infrastructure.

Other building blocks key to the industry’s success will be:

• a responsive regulatory framework
• a sufficient supply of resilient mussel seed
• flexibility to innovate and adapt on the water, including changing species and structures
• flexibility to respond to changes in climate and environmental conditions
• realisation of iwi values and aspirations
• demonstration of sustainability and managing biosecurity risks
• support for infrastructure, technology and services
• new marine farming space
• research, innovation and development
• workforce development, including training, education and housing.