Ngāi Tahu to explore aquaculture opportunities in Otago and Southland

Ngāi Tahu will bring its intergenerational approach to exploring sustainable aquaculture options off the Otago and Southland coasts, says Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa.

Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) in Southland complement six recently confirmed ASAs in Otago. The ASAs enable space to be set aside for the Crown and iwi to work together to determine suitability for aquaculture development.

ASAs were established under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004, which promises iwi the equivalent value of 20 percent of all consented aquaculture space.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa says the ASAs will be assessed to determine their suitability for aquaculture.

“We are keen to explore sustainable aquaculture in these areas. We see this as an extension of our intergenerational association with the moana in Otago and Southland,” he says.

“When we approach these opportunities, we are thinking of the generations to come after us.

“Oceans are warming, and the world population is growing. Aquaculture is becoming essential to providing people with healthy protein, while reducing the pressure on wild fish. The technology makes it possible for farms to thrive in the open ocean.”

Justin Tipa says he is pleased the government is prioritising aquaculture and being ambitious with its aim to create a $3 billion industry by 2035.

When aquaculture is done well and in the right places, it has big potential, will create jobs, and boost regional economies, he says.

There are five ASAs being introduced in Southland, making up 8787 hectares. They are in Port Pegasus, Rarotoka South, Rarotoka North, Ruapuke, and Port Adventure. They include areas suitable for salmon, mussel, and seaweed farming. 

Six ASAs were recently declared in Otago. This includes three offshore sites north of Dunedin, two inshore sites adjacent to Moeraki and one adjacent to Karitāne.

An ASA does not prevent commercial, recreational or customary fishing. All current fishing activity within the ASAs – recreational, commercial and customary – can continue while the assessment takes place.

It is only once Ngāi Tahu applies for a resource consent to operationalise the space that exclusion areas apply - as is the case with any aquaculture farm. A resource consent will still be required before any development in the ASAs can take place.