Aquaculture
Aquaculture, or marine farming, is the fastest growing seafood industry in New Zealand and expected to contribute more than 50 percent of the world's seafood production in the next 20 years. In New Zealand, Greenshell™ Mussels are the biggest farmed product, followed by oysters and various species of fish.
AFL's major fishing interests have developed successful aquaculture enterprises, including Sealord with Greenshell Mussels and both Pacific Marine Farms and Kia Ora Seafoods with Pacific Oysters (and also live Greenshell Mussels).
New Zealand's low population, isolated location, clean and nutrient rich waters make it ideal for shellfish farming.
New Zealand's aquaculture industry is developed to ensure reduced environmental impacts, following the completion of the world's first environmental strategy for shellfish farming and an efficient regulatory regime following a three-year moratorium on new farming proposals.
The Marlborough Sounds is New Zealand's biggest mussel farming area, but other major sites include Golden Bay, the Coromandel, Stewart Island and the Far North. The main pacific oyster farming areas are in Northland and the Coromandel Peninsular.
