January 08, 2013
Kingfish stars of Northland aquaculture plan
The Northland Aquaculture Development Group is preparing an application to the Government's Primary Growth Partnership Scheme for help with a new finfish farming venture.
The group includes the Ngāti Wai Trust Board, Te Uri ō Hau Settlement Trust, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, marine research institute Cawthron, and various commercial aquaculture businesses.
Ngāti Whatua Chief Executive Allan Pivac, its newly-elected chair, says growing yellowtail kingfish in cages on land and sea cages could earn as much as $230m annually by 2030.
Plans are also afoot to increase oyster production to $30 million a year, with a Northland processing plant planned by 2016.
Paua production could grow to $20 million and green-lipped mussel to $20 million, and research into fresh water eel production is also being considered.
The group expects expansion plans will provide 700 new jobs.
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