Aquaculture & Fisheries

Biography

Biography: Karen N Scott

Abstract

Aquaculture is the fastest growing agricultural sector in New Zealand and the industry target supported by the New Zealand government is to more than double its size to NZ $1 billion by 2025. In contrast to most other global regions the New Zealand aquaculture industry is relatively clean and green with manageable environmental impacts although this largely results from its relatively small size. The industry has however come into conflict with local communities and authorities with respect to the utilization of coastal space and the impact of activities on areas deemed to be of outstanding natural beauty. Aquaculture has been subject to regular and radical reform over the last decade in order to try to respond to the aims to expand the industry and to manage spatial and environmental conflicts. This paper will examine the current regulatory environment for aquaculture in light of those reforms and the various policy aims including the dispute over ownership of the New Zealand foreshore and seabed. The paper will explore these issues through a case study on salmon farming in the Marlborough Sounds which resulted in two important Supreme Court decisions in 2014 and led to a significant change in approach to selected principles set out in the 2010 New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement. The paper will conclude suggestions and observations with respect to the future management of aquaculture in New Zealand.