Mussel farmer wants law change
NEW ZEALAND - An immediate change in the law is vital to protect Golden Bay's mussel farms. The industry also need to improve communication at all levels to protect it from invasive species and disease.

Sustainable Goal and Aqua's Scoring Points
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand seafood is a high value export worth over $1200 million in exports in 2006-07 - and in high demand worldwide. The fishing industry’s sustainability credentials are based on an internationally regarded quota management system,...

Marine Farming Moratorium Hits Northland Economy
NEW ZEALAND - Whangarei MP Phil Heatley says Northland’s economy is feeling the pinch due to the standstill over marine farming.

Bay Dredge Hopes to Halt Invasion
TASMAN BAY - The clean down of an oil drilling rig has been blamed for the arrival of an invasive mussel species in the Tasman Bay. However, the company which caused the problem has put up $85,000 to cover the cost of dredging work which is about to...

Commercial fish resource valued at $3.8 billion
NEW ZEALAND - The asset value of NZ's commercial fish resource in 2007 was estimated at $3.8 billion, says Statistics New Zealand.

Sea farms Ruling Will Cost region 700 jobs
NEW ZEALAND - The region will miss out on 700 new jobs because of a decision to decline 2000ha of space for aquaculture in Tasman and Golden bays, says a consortium of mussel farmers and processors.

Farm Plans Sink in Favour of Fishing
NEW ZEALAND - Proposals for 2000-hectares of marine farming have been shelved in favour of protecting commercial fishing.

Mixed Outcomes for Aquaculture in Preliminary Decisions
NEW ZEALAND - The Ministry of Fisheries has made a preliminary decision on the 2,108 ha Tasman Interim Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs) in Golden and Tasman Bays. It is in agreement for some expansion, but says proposals to further increase the hectarage...

$Multi-Million Chinook Site Opened, but Reforms Stifle Progress
NEW ZEALAND - Marlborough Sounds is the home of New Zealand's newest marine farm. Opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark today, it is a significant boost to NZ's salmon sector, which many feel is currently being held back by aquaculture reform.

Maori Scholars Sought for Study Programme
NEW ZEALAND - Te Ohu Kaimoana is seeking keen Maori scholars for its Global Fisheries Programme.

Cumbersome Regulations prevent AMA Progress
NEW ZEALAND - Not a single new Aquaculture Management Area (AMA), anywhere in the country, has been created in the 1,097 days since the aquaculture reforms came into effect in January 2005, says NZ National Party Fisheries spokesman Phil Heatley.

Court bill could bankrupt farmers
NEW ZEALAND - Bay of Island oyster farmers, barred from harvesting for six years, hope the Far North District Council's insurers will accept a $200,000 payout to cover costs of their bitter court battle.

Oysters Have Big Future in NZ Agribusiness
NEW ZEALAND - Clevedon Coast Oysters is a company that exemplifies the future of New Zealand agribusiness, according to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton.

Travellers Warned as AVG Potection Measures are Stepped Up
NEW ZEALAND - The Biosecurity department of New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAFBNZ) is urging travellers to Australia to be mindful of a serious virus destroying its abalone stocks in Victoria.

Tough Times Ahead for Mussel Men
NEW ZEALAND - Aotearoa Seafoods' flagship Te Au Miro sits in the water harvesting mussels in a bay off Skiddaw in Kenepuru Sound. Those on board like their work and say the industry is coming right, but some say it is still underselling itself and its...

Businessman Wants Shrimp Farm in Wellington
NEW ZEALAND - A Fort Collins businessman who has been trying to build shrimp farms in northern Colorado for nearly a decade hopes to have one fully operational in Wellington within two years, the Greeley Tribune reported in Saturday editions.

Tonga says room for development in fisheries
NEW ZEALAND - The Tongan Export Fisheries Association says there is room for development in fisheries in the kingdom, particularly in aquaculture.

Merial Acquires New Zealand Animal Health Company
NEW ZEALAND - Merial Limited has acquired the New Zealand animal health products company Ancare. Merial is one of the world’s largest animal health companies.

Australian AVG virus threatens NZ paua
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand paua could soon be under threat from a herpes-like virus that was decimating the Victorian abalone industry, Southern Paua Management Council deputy chairman Jeremy Cooper said.

Teamwork 'crucial to economy'
NEW ZEALAND - A draft Nelson-Tasman Regional Economic Development Strategy, released on Thursday as an economic blueprint for the region for the next 10 to 20 years, highlights a list of recommendations for public feedback.

Greens seek labels on all fresh food
NEW ZEALAND - The steaks you sizzle on the summer barbecue come from New Zealand - don't they?

Māori Development Manager For Aquaculture NZ
NEW ZEALAND - Aquaculture New Zealand has announced the appointment of Riki Ellison as Māori Development Manager.