A novel approach to aquaculture in Aotearoa New Zealand

This study explored the possibility of using aquaculture as way to empower coastal communities and create a more inclusive blue economy in these regions. The study partnered with hapū and and iwi in the Bay of Plenty to envision their aspirations to develop Kaupapa Māori aquaculture with pātiki tōtara (yellowbelly flounder).

A preliminary economic analysis indicated that land-based farming could yield high revenue compared to horticulture. However, the analysis also estimated that the associated costs of juvenile production would be very high. As these values were based on farmed flatfish in Europe, the study has highlighted a need to generate local species-specific data based on pātiki. This information does not currently exist.

Methods to produce viable eggs in captive broodstock were also examined as a critical first step for future hatchery production. Results indicated that high fertilization rates can be achieved using conventional aquaculture techniques with wild caught broodstock.

Future work needs to focus on cost effective methods for rearing juveniles for more accurate economic analysis.