The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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NEWS COUNCIL REQUESTS BOND FOR OYSTER CLEANUP Northland Regional Council is asking 43 oyster farmers to pay bonds of up to $9000 per hectare, but the farmers haven't paid up. The bonds are intended to ensure ratepayers are not left with the clean-up bill if the farms are abandoned. Council consents and monitoring manager Colin Dall says Northland ratepayers have been required to cover costs of cleaning up 22 abandoned or derelict oyster farms in recent months. The council has issued abatement notices to the farmers and says if they do not pay in the next three months, or come up with another solution, it may begin fining the farmers at $750 a day. Dall believes that the abatement notices still provide time for the oyster industry to come up with an alternative solution to the farmer bonds. UNIDENTIFIED SHRIMP DISEASE IN MEXICO VITASOVICH DEPARTS FOR GREENSHELL PASTURES A disease has affected shrimp aquaculture production in the state of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico. The spread of the disease is of great concern following the outbreak of Early Mortality Syndrome which is affecting young shrimp on farms in Sinaloa and Sonora. EMS is caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a strain of bacterium found in brackish coastal waters. Peter Vitasovich announced in June that he would not be standing for re-election as chairman of Aquaculture New Zealand, after a six year tenure, or as Chairman of the New Zealand Mussel Industry Council (14 years) as he identified a time for change and a requirement to invest more time and energy into his rapidly growing family owned business, Greenshell New Zealand Ltd. Vitasovich has dedicated time and energy to facilitate action and change and is leaving both roles as the industry experiences more growth and certainty. "Time has flown by and, as a team, we have achieved some pretty significant milestones that have seen the industry develop and, most importantly, unite." Said Vitasovich "The job is not done, but it has progressed and it's a positive time to hand the role on. Excellent work has been carried out by the dedicated team at Aquaculture NZ under the leadership of CEO Gary Hooper and I leave with an element of sadness – the roles have been a huge part of my life for a long time. However, it's time to focus on my own business, specifically the growth of the Ikana brand, which is beginning to be recognized globally. I will always have a passion for seafood and will continue to support and develop the aquaculture industry in the Coromandel and Auckland regions, opening other doors with my knowledge and relationships, which I have built in New Zealand and around the world." Vitasovich thanked the shareholders of Aquaculture New Zealand for their support, saying that he looks forward to continuing the strong working relationships that I have developed with central government and its agencies, regional and district councils." FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPORTER WIN Greenshell New Zealand has been named New Zealand Food and Beverage Exporter of the Year at the Export New Zealand Awards. The award recognised Greenshell New Zealand's excellence in building extraordinary and sustainable export growth in the Food and Beverage sector. Judges said the company had shown the ability to think differently with a variety of well thought out strategies shaping their growth and future potential. Coromandel MP Scott Simpson has congratulated Greenshell New Zealand. "Greenshell farms its mussels at Wilson Bay in the Coromandel. The success of the company in continually breaking new ground in terms of exports of this quality local product is great news for our part of the world. "There are some very exciting times ahead for the aquaculture industry in the Coromandel. The fact that our existing operators are enjoying such tremendous success bodes very well for the future." CORRECTION: In our last issue we published an error in the title of the feature story 'A Case Study: Seed Nursing by farmers of Udaipur, South India'. The title should have read: 'A Case Study: Seed Nursing by farmers of Udaipur, South Tripura, India'. Tripura is in fact located in northeastern India. 4 ■ NZ AQUACULTURE ■ KOREAN INVOLVEMENT AT WAA14 With the next World Aquaculture Conferences being in Adelaide, Australia in June 2014 and in 2015 on Jeju Island, Korea, there is increased contact and communication SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2013 between aquaculture participants in both countries. World Aquaculture Adelaide 2014 Chairman, Dr Graham Mair believes that there are some real opportunities for collaboration and to build a strong partnership with Korea. "We welcome the chance to develop and build a strong link between Australian and Korean aquaculturists and researchers. This will strengthen conference sessions in both countries and in particular in the areas of abalone and tuna. "Korea is recognised as a leading aquaculture nation in high value aquaculture products and Australia has much to learn from our regional neighbours," said Mair. Last year the Australian Abalone Growers Association sent a delegation of Australia growers to Korea with the support of the Australian Seafood CRC. This year AAGA received a grant from the AustraliaKorea Foundation. The grant for "Fostering aquaculture networks, collaboration and investment between Korea and Australia" will enable Korean industry groups (targeting abalone and future tuna farmers) to visit Australia and the World Aquaculture Adelaide Conference 14. The World Aquaculture Adelaide Conference websites are now open for submission of abstracts and registrations. The annual event is organized by the World Aquaculture Society and incorporates the biennial Australasian Aquaculture Conference and Trade Show. "Skretting" World Aquaculture Adelaide is an opportunity for the international aquaculture community to present their research/work, exchange ideas and discuss a vision for the future of the aquaculture industry as they focus on the theme of "Create, Nurture, Grow". KING SALMON FARMS GO AHEAD National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research scientists have begun background monitoring in areas of the Marlborough Sounds where New Zealand King Salmon plans to build its four new fish farms. In May this year the High Court heard an appeal by Sustain Our Sounds and the Environmental Defence Society against the decision to grant King Salmon consent, however, the decision went against both the Save our Sounds and EDS appeals. The EDS expressed disappointment at the decision. "We appealed two of the four approved fish farm sites, Waitata and Port Gore," said EDS chairman Gary Taylor. "The judge did concede that the issues we raised were important and said of both sets of appeals, 'they have, both competently and responsibly, advanced legitimate public interests.'" Taylor said. Baseline monitoring was set to begin ahead of the High Court decision and King