NZ minister pushes one-stop legislation to boost salmon aquaculture to 450,000 tonnes

Senior minister Shane Jones convened chief executives of New Zealand’s largest salmon producers at MPI to outline a proposed “one-stop shop” regulatory framework for offshore ocean farms. The government envisions scaling annual salmon output from roughly 15,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes, a 30-fold increase, contingent on clear statutory consents. Jones emphasized that investors need certainty and a strong social licence, especially as land-based protein sources face limits.

CEOs expressed optimism but stressed the need to protect the premium reputation of New Zealand salmon and avoid a low-cost image. Recent 20-year extensions of coastal permits were described as an extraordinary move to boost investor confidence. The discussion also touched on potential inclusion of other salmon species and the broader economic benefits of a high-quality aquaculture sector.