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NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ��� The Government also wants to see quality planning that unlocks new aquaculture growth and ensures the protection of existing farm space. The regulatory framework for aquaculture needs to be ef���cient and effective and support responsible stewardship of our natural resources while allowing you to conduct business economically. One of our top priorities is effective coastal planning.While the legislative reforms of 2011 have removed aquaculture management areas, a challenge for your industry is that many coastal plans are still extremely restrictive. I have asked the Ministry for Primary Industries to look at ways central government can work proactively with local government to unlock growth opportunities, and ensure protection of your existing aquaculture space. ��� As part of the RMA Phase II reforms, my colleague, Environment Minister Amy Adams and I, are looking at additional changes to how the RMA operates to guarantee our resources are well managed, while allowing for appropriate sustainable development. Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson and I are also committed to reviewing the regulatory framework for landbased aquaculture. ��� Drafting a plan for the ongoing delivery of settlement obligations under the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act is also a priority. The plan is being developed in consultation with Te Ohu Kaimoana and Iwi. As part of the work in this area, government has already set aside space through gazette notices in Northland, Waikato, Marlborough, and Canterbury for settlement purposes. THE BREEDING PROGRAMME WILL PROVIDE GENETICALLY SELECTED SPAT ��� The Primary Growth Partnership is the true champion of R&D investment in the primary sector. So far, around $600 million dollars��� worth of projects have been announced covering just about every facet of our primary sector, from forestry, red meat and wool, to dairy, manuka honey and seafood. One of the programmes relating speci���cally to your industry is SPATnz This project is collaboration between Government and industry. It involves building a hatchery and developing the capabilities to seed a new and improved line of Greenshell mussels. The breeding programme will provide genetically selected spat, which will grow into standard high-quality export shell���sh. In its own way, this project emulates the selective breeding gains we���ve seen in other primary sectors. The Sustainable Farming Fund is another avenue for R&D investment. This year aquaculture projects have received funding for the ���rst time. One of these is the Oyster Industry Modernisation Project to counter the devastating effects of the oyster herpes virus. Other projects funded include Environmental Certi���cation, work on blue mussel over-settlement, and the Kaitaia Spat Working Group to develop protocols for green-lipped mussel spat to ensure the sustainability of the Ninety Mile Beach spat resource. In conclusion today, I want to reiterate this Government���s alignment with your conference theme - ���Looking Forward to Sustainable Growth.��� ��� You have this Government���s support because your goals match our goals. PROTESTS MOUNT OVER WHANGAROA FISH FARM Opponents of a proposed Whangaroa ���sh farm say it risks polluting Northland���s most spectacular and fabled deep-water harbour. A proposed king���sh and oyster farm for Peach Island, near the mouth of Whangaroa harbour, is facing a storm of protests from locals and boaties concerned about pollution, navigation at the con���ned harbour entrance, the effect on tourism, and scepticism about the number of jobs it might create. Whaingaroa Fisheries Company, owned by Te Runanga o Whaingaroa, is proposing 5ha of sea cages for raising king���sh, and a 19ha oyster farm next to Ohauroro/Peach Island, just inside the Whangaroa Harbour entrance. Public submissions on the plan closed in November and will be considered by the Northland Regional Council. Totara North man David Keys, spokesman for the Whangaroa Maritime Recreation Area Steering Group, said the proposed ���sh farm���s location in a tidal area near the harbour mouth posed a high risk of pollution. ���Whatever comes out of the ���sh farm will either go up the harbour, or get washed out the harbour and down the coast,��� Keys said, ���including waste produced by a large number of ���sh in a con���ned area and uneaten food.��� The company���s response, when asked how it would manage waste, was that once the immediate area was polluted the cage would be moved to allow the tides to wash the build-up into the harbour, said Keys. Labour list MP and former Maori ���sheries leader Shane Jones backed the plans, saying something had to replace the 66 jobs lost when Sanford closed its Kaeo oyster plant. However, Keys believed the ���sh farm would lead to only ���ve permanent jobs, four of which would go to outside experts. He said it made no sense to risk spoiling one of Northland���s most spectacular harbours when tourism was the region���s second biggest earner at $590 million a year, well ahead of aquaculture in both jobs and income. AQUACULTURE CAREER OPTIONS EXPAND NMIT are looking at expanding their Nelson-based aquaculture course to their Blenheim campus in 2014. The two-year aquaculture diploma taught at their Nelson campus was developed in consultation with New Zealand King Salmon, Sealord, Aquaculture New Zealand, Aotearoa Seafoods and the Marine Farming Association of New Zealand speci���cally to provide the Aquaculture industry with a skilled workforce. There are currently 32 fulltime students enrolled in Nelson, 20 in year two, and 12 in year one. Students in the expanded course are likely to be based at NMIT���s campus at 85 Budge Street. NMIT���s collaboration with Cawthron Institute and the University of Otago have produced the research facilities at Cawthron Aquaculture Park. The laboratories have proven to be a hit with visitors earlier this year when over 180 year 13 students visited during an open day. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 ��� NZ AQUACULTURE ��� 15

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