Industries

Aquaculture contributes an estimated $20 million annually to the Northland economy and directly employs more than 300 people. Aquaculture is growing, having doubled its turnover in the last decade.

Northland Greenshell Mussels

The potential for further development is excellent as Northland has a very good range of growing conditions, good existing infrastructure, good candidate species, established industry and availability of labour.

Maori have traditionally been extensive stakeholders in aquaculture, and investment continues to assist Maori in further utilising aquaculture to strengthen their economic base.

The major challenges faced by the sector in going forward are negative public attitudes on the establishment of off-shore fishfarming and a difficult regulatory environment at both regional and central level.

An overview of the potential for the development of aquaculture in Northland, along with assessments of best-performing species for commercial development in Northland are available.

Northland is also home to New Zealand's largest facility for marine aquaculture research and development at Bream Bay near Whangarei.

Related Websites

• Enterprise Northland: Aquaculture in Northland
  View and download a report on the potential for the development of aquaculture and assessments of individual species.
• Northland Regional Council
  Find out about Plan Change 4 - Aquaculture Management
  
• NIWA Science
  View the NIWA Science website for more information about aquaculture in Northland