5 Non-Native Species in Aquaculture
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5.1.4 New Zealand and Australia
Both New Zealand and Australia have significant and growing aquaculture industries
that rely on their “clean and green” image – many of the common Northern
Hemisphere diseases and parasites are absent from the aquaculture facilities in these
two countries, yet almost a quarter (22%) of their aquaculture production by weight
was based on non-native species in 2005 (FAO 2006a; Fig. 5.2).
5.1.4.1 New Zealand
New Zealand produces ~97,700 t of aquaculture product per year worth
~US$217 million (~NZ$315 million), equating to approximately 20% of total
NZ fisheries production (NZAC 2006). Over 98% of New Zealand’s aquaculture industry is based on three species: the endemic Greenshell mussel Perna
canaliculus, and two non-native species, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas,
and the King (or Quinnat) salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Non-native
species however, represent 33.3% of New Zealand aquaculture product by
value (Table 5.1).
There are three species of salmon in New Zealand, all of which are non-native:
King or Chinook salmon O. tschawytscha introduced from the United States in
1907, Sockeye salmon O. nerka introduced from Canada in 1902, and Atlantic
salmon Salmo salar introduced in the 1960s (FAO 2006a). Only the King or
Chinook salmon (also known as “Quinnat”) are successfully farmed on a significant
scale in New Zealand. This is in contrast to the rest of the world where salmon
aquaculture is focused on the Atlantic salmon, except for some Chinook salmon in
Canada and Coho salmon in Chile.
King salmon are grown in sea cages in the marine environment and in freshwater
raceways throughout the South Island. There are about 29 salmon farms in New
Zealand covering a total of around 128 hectares (as of December 2005) producing
around 7,000 metric tonnes per annum. These 29 farms account for roughly half of
the worldwide farmed king salmon production.
The main Pacific oyster farming areas are located in sheltered bays and harbours
around the North Island. The farming method for Pacific oysters consists of wooden
racks to which the oysters are attached. The racks are anchored in the lower intertidal region. There are about 236 Pacific oyster farms in New Zealand covering a
total of ~928 hectares (as of December 2005) and producing over 2,000 t in 2004
(FAO 2006a).
5.1.4.2 Australia
Australia produces ~47.1 million tonnes of aquaculture product per year, worth
~US$480 million (~AU$610 million), equivalent to 30% of Australia’s total fisheries
161
5.1.4 New Zealand and Australia
Both New Zealand and Australia have significant and growing aquaculture industries
that rely on their “clean and green” image – many of the common Northern
Hemisphere diseases and parasites are absent from the aquaculture facilities in these
two countries, yet almost a quarter (22%) of their aquaculture production by weight
was based on non-native species in 2005 (FAO 2006a; Fig. 5.2).
5.1.4.1 New Zealand
New Zealand produces ~97,700 t of aquaculture product per year worth
~US$217 million (~NZ$315 million), equating to approximately 20% of total
NZ fisheries production (NZAC 2006). Over 98% of New Zealand’s aquaculture industry is based on three species: the endemic Greenshell mussel Perna
canaliculus, and two non-native species, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas,
and the King (or Quinnat) salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Non-native
species however, represent 33.3% of New Zealand aquaculture product by
value (Table 5.1).
There are three species of salmon in New Zealand, all of which are non-native:
King or Chinook salmon O. tschawytscha introduced from the United States in
1907, Sockeye salmon O. nerka introduced from Canada in 1902, and Atlantic
salmon Salmo salar introduced in the 1960s (FAO 2006a). Only the King or
Chinook salmon (also known as “Quinnat”) are successfully farmed on a significant
scale in New Zealand. This is in contrast to the rest of the world where salmon
aquaculture is focused on the Atlantic salmon, except for some Chinook salmon in
Canada and Coho salmon in Chile.
King salmon are grown in sea cages in the marine environment and in freshwater
raceways throughout the South Island. There are about 29 salmon farms in New
Zealand covering a total of around 128 hectares (as of December 2005) producing
around 7,000 metric tonnes per annum. These 29 farms account for roughly half of
the worldwide farmed king salmon production.
The main Pacific oyster farming areas are located in sheltered bays and harbours
around the North Island. The farming method for Pacific oysters consists of wooden
racks to which the oysters are attached. The racks are anchored in the lower intertidal region. There are about 236 Pacific oyster farms in New Zealand covering a
total of ~928 hectares (as of December 2005) and producing over 2,000 t in 2004
(FAO 2006a).
5.1.4.2 Australia
Australia produces ~47.1 million tonnes of aquaculture product per year, worth
~US$480 million (~AU$610 million), equivalent to 30% of Australia’s total fisheries