Phil Heatley MP National Party Fisheries Spokesman

26 May 2006

Another setback for aquaculture

New Zealand's aquaculture industry, which is struggling to survive in the face of Labour's bureaucratic reforms, has had another setback, says National's Fisheries spokesman, Phil Heatley.

He is commenting on a report that the Auckland Regional Council has had a change of heart and refused to create Aquaculture Management Areas (AMA) that would allow mussel and oyster farmers to set up operations in the Kaipara Harbour.

Ironically, local Maori are also upset they will miss out on new jobs that would have been created in the area.

"Not one single AMA has been set up anywhere along New Zealand's coastline since Labour's bureaucratic aquaculture reforms were introduced almost a year and a half ago," says Mr Heatley.

"Yet aquaculture is a great example of Kiwi business combining our natural resources with cutting edge research and development.

"The balance is currently set against the industry, and it is going to further decline if something isn't done."

Mr Heatley recently sought an inquiry into why no AMAs have been created since Labour's legislation was passed into law. Labour MPs did not support it.

ENDS

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