1. Future Proofing New Zealand Aquaculture For Sustainable Growth
Resource Management Law Association Conference Sept 2016
Ted Culley

2. I like to start today by sharing with you some comparisons of our current primary production systems for food where we compare the input feed requirement with the the food we get out.
The graph compares what we get out of each production system for 10 kg of food input.
When compared to cattle clearly the most efficient production system in providing edible portions is insect food ( in this case crickets ), but is very closely followed by salmon production.
We should note however that these production systems do require human intervention to make the input feed available.

3. Key sustainability indicators for animal protein production systems
Protein efficiency (%)
N emissions (kg/ton protein produced)
P emissions (kg/ton protein produced)
Land (tons edible product/ha)
Consumptive freshwater use (m³/ton)
Beef 5
1200
180
15497
Chicken 25
300 40
1.0 – 1.2
3918
Pork 13
800
120
0.83 – 1.10
4856
Finfish (avg) 30
360
148
0.15 – 3.70
5000
Bivalves
(Clams, Oysters, Scallops & Mussels)
not fed
-27
-29
0.28 – 20.0
When we add bivalves into that comparison we get an even better outcome because as filter feeders they don’t require human intervention to provide the input food. As well as not requiring us to feed them, they have a positive impact on emissions to the environment such as phosphorous and Nitrogen, and also have no requirement for fresh water
When you consider that most bivalves are grown three dimensionally you also end up with the best food production by ha in comparison to other systems
Source: World Bank. Adapted from Phillips et al. 1991, FAO 2003, Hall et al. 2011

4. Our Opportunity – The Bigger Picture
TO MEET THE GROWING DEMAND FOR FOOD IN THE NEXT 40 YEARS THE WORLD WILL NEED TO PRODUCE THE EQUIVALENT QUANTITY OF FOOD THAT WAS PRODUCED IN THE PAST 8,000 YEARS.
OR FOR THE LESS ADVENTUROUS….
CRICKET CHERMOULA
BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND SEAFOOD
Dr Jason Clay From WWF in his recent visit to New Zealand proposed in the next 40 years the world will need to produce the equivalent of food produced in the past 8,000 years.
Given New Zealand has the 4th largest EEZ in the world we have a great opportunity to contribute to that challenge in the production of high quality proteins from aquaculture, that are in the top three sustainable food production systems available to us `
So in the future if I had to chose my most sustainable meal between Cricket Chermoula and beautiful NZ seafood , I would take the seafood every time!!!

5. So What’s The Problem - Our Challenges For Sustainable Growth
The NZCPS and RMA are in conflict to the sustainable development of Aquaculture
Current legislative framework creates costly inefficiencies for both communities and industry – Renewal costs in 2024 for Marlborough estimated at $40 M for industry
Security of tenure - Our culture and the perception of industry operating in public space
The NZ Aquatic Environment And Diversity Report No 93 (2012) assessing the threats to marine habitats rated the environmental impacts of Aquaculture (including fish farming ) as 19 =
Sedimentation 3=
Invasive species 8=
Sewage pollution =
Nitrogen & phosphorous pollution 13=
Oil & oil products pollution 13=
So What are our challenges for future sustainable growth:
The NZCPS & RMA place aquaculture down the list of values we place on the marine environment rather than on an equal footing. The word “Avoid” in the NZCPS means “Prohibit” when it comes to Aquaculture
The current frame work provides for a renewal process that is both costly and inefficient for industry and our communities. Both Industry and the community need certainty around the renewal process.
The MacDairmid report rated the impacts of Aquaculture as threat to the marine environment at 19= , so why are we are spending the estimated 40 M on the renewal process in 2024 for the industry’s Marlborough Farms? It seems to me we have got our risk management strategies out of “waack” with the level of impact Aquaculture has on the environment and we would be well placed to channel our efforts into the higher risks
Remember, aquaculture is like the canary at the bottom of the mine shaft we often are aware of adverse changes in the marine environment prior to anyone else

6. So What’s The Problem - Our Challenges For Sustainable Growth
Public Perception Report On Aquaculture
2014
“Social Licence Pulse Check”
This was a pole was tasked by MPI and undertaken by Colmar Brunton in 2014, sampling 2028 New Zealanders on their perception of Aquaculture
I draw your attention to the 4th box down “91% of New Zealanders agree NZ should look for opportunities to Sustainably grow the aquaculture industry and 3% disagree”
Any political party would be jumping for joy with a pole outcome like that before an election, however I can assure you when we go to a hearing for a marine farm it feels like the opposite is true, with a loud voice coming from NIMBy’s and Banaana’s – “Build absolutely nothing around and near anyone”
The RMA process allows a louder voice to NIMBY’s and BANAANA’s

7. The Way Forward
Courageous Conversations and leadership as to the “Social Carrying Capacity” of Aquaculture In New Zealand
A “One Stop” Shop Aquaculture Act that provides for a New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy, and the regulatory framework for Aquaculture
The Act would encompass national direction on policy and objectives that legitimised New Zealand’s vision for sustainable aquaculture enabling government, our community’s , and industry’s aquaculture desired outcomes
Aquaculture regulations, and environmental standards would be developed in conjunction with industry and other stakeholders
Security of tenure for space (controlled status equivalence under RMA terminology) is key to providing certainty for industry to invest and innovate with confidence for the future
Courageous Conversations and leadership as to the “Social Carrying Capacity” of Aquaculture In New Zealand
A “One Stop” Shop Aquaculture Act that provides for a New Zealand Aquaculture Strategy, and the regulatory framework for Aquaculture
The Act would encompass national direction on policy and objectives that legitimised New Zealand’s vision for sustainable aquaculture enabling government, our community’s , and industry’s aquaculture desired outcomes
Aquaculture regulations, and environmental standards would be developed in conjunction with industry and other stakeholders
Security of tenure for space (controlled status equivalence under RMA terminology) is key to providing certainty for industry to invest and innovate with confidence for the future
And by the way if you need some awesome seafood recipes let me know but my apologies in advance as my repertoire does not include anything for crickets
Thank you